Shark Cage Diving Mossel Bay
Shark Cage Diving Mossel Bay
Mossel Bay is situated on the beautiful Garden Route in the Southern Cape, about 400km (5 hours) from Cape Town.
It is an area very rich area in diverse sea life such as many fish species, plenty of Cape Fur Seals, various whales species such as the Southern Right, the Humpback and the Brydes whale, African penguins, other sea birds, Common dolphins, and the occasional Orca has been spotted. There have even been Hammerhead shark sightings in the bay.
Currently Mossel Bay has the highest sightings rate of Great white Sharks than all the other Great White Shark destinations in South Africa, so if it’s only White Sharks you wish to see and dive with, then shark diving Mossel Bay is the place to go.
There is only one shark cage diving operator in Mossel Bay. The trips run 7 days a week, subject to weather and ocean conditions. A typical tour lasts between 2 and 4 hours at sea, depending on the tides, weather, and shark activity. There are two trips a day.
If you are going to the Garden Route and wish to see Great White Sharks and have an amazing experience shark cage diving or shark viewing, then Mossel Bay is a great spot to visit. We will facilitate your booking directly with the Mossel Bay operator.
QUICK INFO
PRICE: R3195 PP
MEET TIME:
From 07h00 and 11h30 (subject to change).
MEETING PLACE:
We meet at the dive office at the commercial slipway next door to the yacht club.
TRANSFER:
From designated pick-up points in and around Mossel Bay – special transfers can also be arranged from Cape Town.
DURATION:
+/- 3 Hours in total.
GUESTS:
20 plus crew.
CAGE:
6 divers – No experience necessary – 20 minutes’ cage time. Cage diving is via breath-hold not scuba.
TRIP INCLUDES:
All dive gear is provided.
A DVD of your tip is available as an optional extra.
Shark Cage Diving Mossel Bay Package
Experience the thrill of a lifetime with shark cage diving in Mossel Bay! Get up close with majestic great white sharks in their natural habitat, all under expert guidance. Perfect for adventure-seekers and wildlife enthusiasts, this unforgettable tour offers heart-pounding excitement and breathtaking ocean views. Book your adventure today!
SHARK CAGE DIVING ITINERARY
Start your adventure by meeting us at our office located next to the commercial slipway at the yacht club. Enjoy a light breakfast or lunch while we chat and give you a comprehensive safety briefing about your upcoming shark dive.
Then, board our boat for a swift 10-minute ride to Seal Island, a thrilling destination renowned for its shark activity. During the summer months, we also venture across the bay to where the Great White Sharks are found, just a 20-30 minute ride away, depending on conditions.
Mossel Bay boasts some of the most accessible Great White Sharks in the world, and its sheltered waters usually provide a calm and comfortable experience. Our crew will give another safety briefing on the boat, explaining the essential do’s and don’ts while you’re in the cage.
Once we reach our shark-spotting location, the crew will start chumming the water using marine-based bait to attract the sharks. Please note, this bait is used solely to lure the sharks and is not fed to them directly. The arrival of sharks can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, so patience is key.
When the sharks appear, the cage will be lowered into the water, securely tethered to the boat. As you dive in, your head will remain above the water, with the boat right behind you. Our crew will guide you on hand and foot placement, and will signal when a shark approaches and when it’s time to submerge.
All necessary cage diving equipment is provided, including wetsuits in various sizes. No prior qualifications are needed to dive with the sharks. Children from 12 years old are welcome, provided they are supervised by a parent or guardian and meet the divemaster’s approval on the day. The decision of the divemaster is final.
If you opt not to dive, you can still enjoy fantastic views of the Great White Sharks from the boat’s viewing platform. As surface feeders, the sharks are easily visible from above.
After your dive, you can purchase a video of your adventure for a small additional fee and receive a certificate commemorating your shark cage diving experience.
BEST TIME TO SHARK CAGE DIVE
Shark cage diving in Mossel Bay is done all year round. The bay is quite protected, and the sea conditions are pleasant.
During the summertime, the operator will work on the far side of the bay as it is more sheltered because of the wind. The boat ride is only 20-30 minutes long.
During the winter, shark cage diving takes place at Mossel Bay’s Seal Island, a mere 10-minute ride from the dock. The island is populated with thousands of Cape Fur Seals. There are also a few African Penguins on the island, and a big effort is made to keep these penguins safe on the island.
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.
THE BOAT AND SHARK CAGE
The boat is 11.5-metre and has been specially built for shark cage diving in Mossel Bay. The boat has a large viewing platform, an enclosed cabin, changing and toilet facilities.
The shark cage is a spacious 6-man cage. Diving is done by breath-hold so no diving experience is necessary. You should have around 20 minutes for your first dive, and then after everyone has dived on a rotational basis, you can go again if time/shark sightings allow.
THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN ROUTE
There are so many things to do on the Garden Route. Here are just a few ideas for you while you are on your holiday.
- Walk on the Storms River suspension bridge. A bit scary, but such fun.
- Take a walk on the wild side with Bloukrans bungy jumping
- Take a ferry to the Knysna Heads of the Knysna lagoon, and travel between the majestic sandstone cliffs.
- Take a walk in the mysterious Knysna forest
- Visit the Knysna elephant park, where you have the option of feeding and going for a walk with the elephants.
- Visit the Featherbed nature reserve for a true eco-experience. You can go cruising the lagoon, nature trails and hike the Knysna Heads
- Visit the Wilderness national park. Experience the beauty and diversity of South African National Parks
- Go oyster tasting in Knysna (a must-do if you like oysters)
- For the adrenaline junkies, go Kloofing (Canyoning) the Crags
- Visit wine estates such as Bramon estate, renowned for its great wine with their award-winning, non-traditional, and traditional Méthode Cap Classique bubblies and still wines, collecting national and international awards.
PRICING
Shark cage diving starts from R3195 per person, excluding hotel pick up and drop off. Special transfers can also be arranged from Cape Town.
Shark Sightings Policy
While we strive to provide an exceptional experience, please note that there are no guarantees of encountering Great White Sharks during your trip. We are committed to keeping you informed with the latest updates on shark sightings. In the event that you do not see a Great White Shark, we will issue you a voucher for a future shark diving trip. Thank you for your understanding and for choosing us for your shark cage diving adventure.
Mossel Bay Shark Cage Diving FAQ's
In our Mossel Bay FAQs you will find all the information you need for your trip.
Can you pick us up from our hotel or guest house?
If you are coming from Cape Town, a round-trip transfer can be arranged at an additional cost of R9000.00, otherwise there are no transfers offered and you are responsible to arrange your own.
Do you offer scuba?
No, we do not
Can non-divers still go on the trip and at what price?
Yes, non-divers are welcome, at the same cost of those diving, as the sharks are surface feeders, and the view is great from the boat
If the trip is cancelled for whatever reason, will we be able to go another day?
Yes, if the trip is cancelled by the operator, then you will be offered to join on the next available day or trip
What happens to my money if the trip is cancelled and I am not able to reschedule?
If the trip is cancelled by the operator for whatever reason, and you are unable to reschedule, you will be refunded your total payment excluding bank charges
How long is the trip?
With transfer from Cape Town – +/- 14 hours
From Arrival in Mossel Bay – +/- 3.5 hours
What should I wear?
- Peak cap or floppy brimmed hat
- Waterproof jacket
- Jumper or jersey
- Beanie and scarf
- Bathing suit under your clothes
- Sunglasses
- Sensible shoes for the boat
- Apply sunscreen and bring with you
- Please bring a towel
Do you have wetsuits for all sizes?
Sizes for all body types, from XS to 4XL
How thick are the wetsuits?
5mm and include hoodies and booties
Do you have dry suits?
No, dry suits need special training
How long am I in the cage dive?
The cage portion is approximately 20 minutes
Will I get sea sick?
If you suffer from motion sickness you very possibly will, so we suggest guarding against it, by purchasing motion sickness tablets that are available OTC at all pharmacies
Do you use chum?
Yes, we do chum to attract the sharks
Can we snorkel in the cage?
Yes, you will need to bring your own snorkel though
Must I bring my own dive gear or is it included?
No, all other dive gear is supplied
Can children come on the boat?
The age for the boat is 8 and for the cage is 10, the children must be accompanied by a responsible adult
What should I know?
You are required to bring your ID / passport, as you will be entering a harbour port
Book your trip with days to spare, in case the weather does not play along
We do offer packages to stay over in Mossel Bay, so you will not have to travel as far