Instead of spending your vacation watching reruns of Shark Week, wouldn't you rather look one of these badass creatures in the eye—and help advance shark science in the process? With White Shark Africa, you'll study and record the behaviors of great whites off the waters of Mossel Bay, South Africa, home to one of the largest concentrations on the planet. You'll also have an opportunity to learn basic seamanship, bait and chum waters, and come within feet of the ocean's most storied predators from behind the bars of a floating cage.
You Need: A diving certification is suggested, but not required (you can cage dive without one). Even better, just earn your C-card as you go. Time is also ideal. The program typically runs 27 days, through shorter stints are possible. ($915 & up; govoluntouring.com)
