Harpoon Diver's Faceoff With Great White Shark Was A Close Call

Eugene van Wyngaardt was out spear fishing over a reef called Deep Pinnacles in Port Elizabeth, South Africa when he spotted a huge Great White shark just a few feet away from him.

No other species of sharks capture our imagination quite like the Great White shark. As the largest predatory creatures in the ocean, these fearsome animals inspire awe and respect. That's why it's a really rare and incredible moment to witness a close encounter like this one. They are not rare creatures – they can be found almost everywhere around the globe, except the coldest parts such as Antarctica, although they prefer the cooler waters.

They also have a long life span – it was previously thought that these creatures can live up to 25 years of age, but newest research suggests that they can live up to 70 years. Just imagine swimming with a Great White shark grandpa. That would be so cool, right?

Typically, Great White Sharks can grow up to 21 feet in length, though females average at 15-16 feet long and males average at 11-13 feet long. Caught off the coast of Kangaroo Island in Australia, the largest captured Great White Shark was 23.4 feet long. But nothing beats Deep Blue, a female Great White shark believed to be over 50 years old. She is 23 feet long, which is the biggest female recorded. Diving enthusiast Michael Maier has released some incredibly eye-catching clips of the Great White shark feeding on bait and inquisitively circling divers. Just check out that beast!