Forget the fear factor! Even if you're too bang to get face to face with one of these magnificent ocean predators, there's a lot of fun to be had in the name of these citizens of the deep. Grab the kids and head off to Gansbaai for this fun weekend long festival.

There's a major line-up of fun and educational activities for kids. Starting with a treasure chest hunt, a whale, shark and marine life workshop, the 'Death wall', Kleinbaai cleanup, tidal pool education and excursions, reef programme, Save Our Seas programme, educational slideshows, introduction to snorkelling, "Bubble maker" scuba programme for the kids, ongoing educational talks and movies and a marine pool with live marine life. One of the highlights is the feeding and release programme where the kids are involved in releasing the marine life back into the ocean. On the entertainment side there's face painting, a jumping castle, egg man, musical activities, clown shows, a stilt man, marine life fancy dress, colouring in competitions, an animated marine movie house, kids dancing competition, Bungee Bounce and snorkelling in a tidal pool. Sponsored prizes and toys will be awarded throughout the festival activities.

And the entertainment is not only for the small folk - there's a Gala Dinner and Festival Opening, Drop Tower, Bungee Rocket, Paintballing and cool line-up of entertainment. This will take place in the main event tent which will be hosting a variety of entertainers, DJ’s, comedians, jazz bands, navy band, marimba band, gum boot dancers as well as the local coon carnival will entertain the Shark Festival goers. Check out the programme at www.whitesharkfestival.org.