Is great white shark diving on your Bucket List to do?
Want to go on a shark cage diving or breaching trip with people that shares your love for them, then look no further! African Shark Eco-Charters is the top shark cage diving company operating in False Bay, experts since 1996. We specialize in shark cage diving, breaching, viewing and filming trips. Great White sharks are our life and our love and we are privileged to be able to share our passion and our knowledge with you.
The “AIRJAWS” shark breaching trip is our most popular trip. It is a combination trip of shark breaching and shark cage diving. The season for AIRJAWS starts in May.
Shark Breaching is one of the hunting techniques that great white sharks use to surprise and kill its prey. They breach with such force and explosive energy that it propels the shark right out of the water. The best time is just before and at sunrise and mainly at certain area’s around the island and only for a few months of the year.
This behavior is absolutely awesome to witness in person, and if you are in Cape Town during shark season, then this trip is a “must do”. It is seen nowhere on the planet as regularly as in False Bay and by joining us on one of our AIRJAWS trips you may be lucky enough to witness a breaching great white shark “AIRJAWS” for yourself.
We depart early in the morning as this is when the great white’s natural predatory interaction with the Cape Fur seal is the most intense. The activity lasts for around an hour and a half.
We are respectful that we are entering the territory of the great white and even though we try to get as close to a predatory event as possible, every effort is made to avoid blocking a seal’s escape path to the Island. This is a natural event we are witnessing and so we make sure our environmental impact is as little as possible.
When the predation activity has quieted down we try for a decoy tow using a fake soft cushion cut out “dummy” seal, in which we attempt to get the great white shark to breach. This soft decoy will not harm the shark in any way and making sure that we only do this for a limited period only, it allows for the best photographic opportunity.
What happens if the shark doesn’t catch the seal when it breaches?
Not every breach leads to a successful kill. If the great white shark misses the seal, then the chase is on. It is a game of cat and mouse of epic proportions as you are rooting for the seal, yet wanting to see a predation.
When should I book? What’s best time of the year for shark breaching?
From February shark diving season opens. This trip is then called the shark cage diving trip.
Shark Breaching starts to be seen around mid-April and the best months for the predation and breaching activity is during June, July and August. September is in between high and intermediate season. February and March is too early for breaching. Here our trips focus on the shark cage diving and surface viewing. The trip departs from Simon’s Town at 7am sharp and returns at 12h30.
Here are some very important questions to ask when choosing a great white shark operator.
How many passengers on your boat? 12. We focus on smaller groups to ensure that everyone has a personal experience with the great white sharks.
How many divers in the shark cage? 2 maximum. Many operators take 5-8 guests at a time.
Do you offer scuba? Yes. All diving equipment is supplied. No diving experience is necessary however you are welcome to snorkel as well. Most operators only allow you to hold your breath, seriously!
Does using scuba affect the sharks coming to the boat? No. If it did we would not do it! Working in False Bay since 1996, we have found that the bubbles or scuba noise have no effect on the great white sharks. Most operators don’t like to work with scuba as re-filling tanks is a bother and they don’t want to do it.
Do you use shark liver to attract sharks? No
How long is the trip? It is 5.5hrs long.
Transfers: Optional: Return transfers from designated pickup points in Cape Town
What to bring to your Great White Shark Diving experience
- Rain/wind jacket
- Sun block and Hat
- Camera (we sell disposable underwater camera’s)
- Take sea sick tablets
Please Note: We have a very high success rate, however with all wild animals, shark sightings, activity, predation events and breaching can vary from day to day. Even during peak season there may be days when we do not see any breaching or predatory events.
Please be aware of this, so you do not arrive with unrealistic expectations. Rather come hoping to see these natural events, than expecting. No refunds will be made for non-sightings. We will however offer you a voucher for another trip.
