Shark Cage Diving Gansbaai, Cape Town
Shark Cage Diving Gansbaai, Cape Town
Shark cage diving Gansbaai is done in a narrow channel called Shark Alley, which is the open stretch of water between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock. It is a scenic 2.5 hrs drive from Cape Town to Gansbaai.
As there are 9 other operators in Gansbaai (some reputable and others not so much) it can be confusing as to which is the best company to book your shark cage diving trip with as they all claim to be “the best”. Being a leader in the industry and knowing all the in’s and out’s, is where we come in, and take the hassle out of your booking. We only work with operators who have an eco-friendly approach to the ocean and its marine life, leaving a small carbon footprint in Gansbaai as well.
Please note that Hookah (scuba) is not provided on the Gansbaai trip.
Should you not see a shark, you will receive a voucher for another shark cage diving trip.
Shark Cage Diving Gansbaai is an alternative to shark cage diving in Simon’s Town. Should you wish to shark cage diving closer to Cape Town, we would recommend diving with us in Simon’s Town
QUICK INFO
PRICE: R2750PP
MEET TIME:
Tidal conditions determine our shark cage diving trip times. Depending on the number of bookings, we may operate up to three daily trips. The meeting times for these trips are as follows:
– Morning: Between 06:00 and 07:00
– Midday: Between 10:00 and 11:00
– Afternoon: Between 13:00 and 14:00
We recommend checking your confirmation details for the exact meeting time prior to your trip.
TRANSFER:
From your accommodation in Cape Town.
DURATION:
2.5 to 3 Hours at sea.
GUESTS:
Between 25-40 guests plus crew.
CAGE:
8-10 divers – No experience necessary – 20 minutes’ cage time. Cage diving is via breath-hold, not scuba. Hookah (scuba) is only provided on the Simon’s Town shark trip.
TRIP INCLUDES:
Snacks, cold drinks and water, all dive gear and tea/coffee as well as a small breakfast/lunch.
FACILITIES:
Shower facilities are available to freshen up after the dive.
Shark Cage Diving Gansbaai
Gansbaai is also known as a whale-watching site. It is close to the very pretty town of Hermanus. Hermanus is also known for its whale watching, its beaches and lots of beautiful wine farms where you can go for lunch and do some wine tasting. Hermanus is a 2-hour drive from Cape Town. There are loads of guest houses and hotels to overnight, should you want to go shark cage diving in the early morning and then have a late lunch at a wine farm such as Newton Johnson or Bouchard Finlayson Winery.
Other activities that can be done in Hermanus are sea kayaking, where you might have the experience of encountering whales, you can horse riding at Pearly Beach, walking on the cliffs (on a path that is), and visiting Grotto beach.
SHARK CAGE DIVING ITINERARY
- 04.00 – 05.30am: Pick up in Cape Town (Optional)
- 07.30 – 08.15am: Breakfast and briefing (overview of day)
- 08.30 – 09.00: Launch
- 09.30am: Anchor at dive spot and start diving. Please note that Hookah (scuba) is not provided on the Gansbaai trip.
- 12.30. Return back to Gansbaai harbour and transfer back to facilities.
- 13.30 Transfer Back in Cape Town (Optional)
All above information is for shark cage diving Gansbaai only and not our False Bay shark trips.
BEST TIME TO SHARK CAGE DIVE
WHAT TO BRING
- Rain/wind jacket
- Sun block and Hat
- Beanie and scarf
- Your swimming costume
- Camera
- Take sea sick tablets – we do sell sea-bands a drug free answer to sea sickness
- Do not over indulge in alcohol the night before as you will be horribly sea sick.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE
Please Note: We have a very high success rate, but we are working with wild animals. Please be aware of this, so you do not arrive with unrealistic expectations. Shark sightings and activity are never guaranteed and even during peak season there may be days when the sightings are lower than expected. No refunds will be made for non-sightings.
Please note that Hookah (scuba) is not provided on the Gansbaai trip.
PRICING
The price of the trip is R2,750.00 per person.
Gansbaai Shark Cage Diving FAQ's
In our Gansbaai FAQs you will find all the information you need for your trip.
Can non-divers also go on your tour and is it the same price?
Yes. Many guests surface view only. The boat is specially designed for surface viewing and photography, and there is an upper viewing deck on the boat as well. The price remains the same, as it is for the space on the boat as opposed to in the cage.
Do you offer scuba and does it affect the sharks?
Yes, at an additional cost and on specific trips.
No. In our experience working in False Bay since 1996, we have found that the bubbles or scuba noise have no effect on the sharks, and so do not believe it will affect them in Gansbaai either
If a trip is cancelled can I go on another day?
We always try to accommodate our guests on the next available trip. This does however depend on the availability of the bookings.
How long is the trip?
Travel time from Cape Town is 2.5 to 3 hours
The boat trip is about 3 hours
The entire trip inclusive of travel times, briefing and trip is about 7 – 8 hours
What should I wear?
- Peak cap or floppy hat
- Waterproof jacket
- Jersey
- Sensible shoes for the boat
- Sunglasses
- Beanie and scarf
- Brinf a towel
- And under it all, your bathing costume
Do you have wetsuits for all sizes?
Yes, from XS to 5XL
How thick are the wetsuits?
5mm and include hoodies and booties
How long am I in the cage dive?
The cage portion is approximately 20 minutes
How big is the cage?
The cage takes between 6 and 8 people
How big is the boat?
The boat takes 18 guests and crew members
Will I get sea sick?
Sea-sickness is one of those things that cannot be predicted, some folks are more prone to it while others will never experience it. We do suggest that if you are not sure that you get motion sickness tablets (OTC from any pharmacy) and take the night before and the morning of the trip. Also to have an early night and not to over indulge.
Do you use chum?
A bait line is used to attract sharks. Sharks are surface feeders and will come inspect the bait line. We also use mashed up sardines to make a scent trail to attract the sharks.
Do we get a refund if the trip is cancelled from your side?
Yes, if you are not able to reschedule, we will refund the full amount less the bank charges.
IMPORTANT: When our service provider reverses or refunds a credit card, the bank will no longer return or reverse their card fee (transaction costs). Your card will be refunded the full amount less the card fee.
Can we snorkel in the cage?
Yes, it is possible to snorkel or breath hold
Must I bring my own dive gear or is it included?
No, all dive equipment is provided, unless you have specially made or prescription goggles. Please bring a towel, it helps
Can children come on the boat?
Yes, all children need to be accompanied by a responsible adult. Only children from the age of 10 are permitted to dive
What happens if we don’t see sharks?
You will receive a voucher to return for a free shark trip.
Do’s
Come, even if it is only to surface view, the view is great from the boat too
Good Advice
Book your trip as early into your holiday, just in case the weather does not play along, then you will have days available to reschedule to.
Come hoping as opposed to expecting, we are dealing with wildlife and nature and neither are predictable
The guides try to chat with all the guests but its very hard if you are not open to talk “shark”. So, please ask questions and engage with the guides. They love to share their knowledge with you, and you will have a nicer trip if you are open, talkative and show interest in the sharks.