An Encounter With Nature’s Apex Predators
Shark Cage Diving Gansbaai
Come face-to-face with the ocean’s apex predators on a thrilling shark cage diving experience. Embark on a journey that blends adrenaline and discovery, as you encounter these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, leaving you with a deeper appreciation for these incredible marine animals
The Shark Cage Diving Experience
What to expect during your time with us
Beyond Shark Cage Diving
Our shark cage diving experience is designed to accommodate individuals of all ages and abilities, ensuring that everyone can participate and enjoy the sight of these captivating apex predators.
The Dive Experience
The combination of an experienced company, purpose-built vessels and well-designed cage, professional crew, and high-quality gear creates an environment where individuals can appreciate the awe-inspiring beauty of sharks while feeling secure in the hands of experts who prioritise safety and comfort.
Leaders In Marine Ecotourism
Conservation and research efforts are at the forefront of our mission. Through our shark cage diving experience, we have the opportunity to collect valuable data on shark populations and behaviour which is instrumental in the conservation of these often-misunderstood creatures.
Shark cage diving adventure
ZAR 3355.00
ZAR 1900.00
The above cost excludes a R100 conservation fee, which is a direct contribution to the Dyer Island Conservation Trust and critical to the continuity of the conservation and community work.
ZAR 2100.00
ZAR 1100.00
The above cost excludes a R100 conservation fee, which is a direct contribution to the Dyer Island Conservation Trust and critical to the continuity of the conservation and community work.
Custom built-boats & Experienced crew
Best value for money guaranteed
Certified by Fair Trade Tourism
Shark Cage Diving from Cape Town to Gansbaai
Embark on an exhilarating journey from Cape Town to Gansbaai, the renowned Great White Shark capital of the world. Experience thrilling shark encounters and a variety of other activities in this picturesque coastal town along South Africa’s southwestern coastline.
Gansbaai is internationally recognized for its adrenaline-pumping shark cage diving experiences, alongside opportunities for whale watching, forest exploration, mountain biking, horse riding, and beach relaxation.
Whether seeking adventure or tranquility, Gansbaai offers something for everyone, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts and thrill-seekers alike.
Join us to explore the fascinating world of Great White Sharks and the stunning marine landscapes they call home.
What to expect on your shark cage diving adventure
Trip Briefing at The Great White House
The adventure begins at our Great White House in Kleinbaai where you will enjoy a breakfast or lunch depending on your trip time. Our team will assist in registering and choosing your correct wetsuit size and other gear needed. You will then meet your marine biologist who will run through a pre-trip safety briefing, what to expect when you are out at sea as well as what shark and other species are likely to be spotted. Once you have your life jacket on, we take a short stroll down to the harbour to board our vessel.
The Journey To Dyer Island
The travel time to Dyer Island is roughly 20 minutes. It will then take about 10 minutes to find the best spot on the shallows to anchor. Here we will settle in and distribute the wetsuits in anticipation for entering the cage.The Sharks Of Dyer Island
We have various species of sharks that visit the boats. Bronze whaler sharks, great white sharks, and possibly even Broadnose sevengill sharks. We are also often visited by stingrays, and you may see other marine species on the way to and from the dive site. Bronze whaler sharks grow up to 3,3m (10ft) and are very active around the boats. Great white sharks are a more solitary species, and we see sharks from 2m (6ft) to over 5m (16ft).
Note that whilst we know the best places to view these sharks, we are working with wildlife and sightings can vary.
The Shark Cage Experience
On average, we anchor for roughly two to three hours, but this depends on shark activity, sea and weather conditions, as well as number of divers. We do not time the exact period spent in the cage, but aim to give everybody the same experience, so your time is completely dependent on the shark activity for the day. We don’t use scuba gear or snorkels in the cage as it is always above the water. Pay close attention to the bait handler who will advise from which side the shark is approaching and he will instruct you as to which side to face as you go under the water. Then hold your breath as you come face to face with these apex predators as they swim past the cage.Viewing From The Boat
If you are not fond of the water and don’t see yourself getting in the cage, you can still enjoy views from the deck. We have a few deck positions that offer incredible views and opportunities to get some great photographs of the sharks. We will take a wetsuit along in case you decide you want to get a closer look.An Ethical Interaction
Great white sharks are almost impossible to see without attracting their attention. The method we use to attract sharks to our vessel is by using a mixture of fish oils or fish by products, known as chum. This is mixed with sea water and then put back into the ocean. This produces a scent trail extending from our boat that sharks in the area pick up on and will then start to approach. Our chum is premixed to ensure it is not too offensive to our guests. Once the sharks are around the boat, we use a bait or decoy to keep the shark’s attention.
Please note there is no feeding of the sharks. Provisioning or feeding of great white sharks has never been permitted within the code of conduct for South African white shark diving activities.
There are many natural sources of chum in the ocean such as by products from seal colonies or dead animals. When doing research scientists also use chum to bring sharks close to vessels to view or to tag.
Discover The Secrets of Sharks
Our trips are fun and educational with our onboard marine biologist sharing knowledge about sharks that will entertain and inspire you. Learn about our research and what it means for the conservation of sharks in South Africa. While aboard our marine biologists will be taking fin identification photos and collecting other data. This is added to our extensive database and contributes to our scientific studies on white sharks. They also write a daily blog that sums up the day’s shark trip and share our favourite photos of the daySmile For The Camera
We have a dedicated videographer who will capture all the moments of the trip for everyone to enjoy. We will show you the footage from the trip at the debriefing which will be available for purchase. This will be sent to you in the form of a link from which you can download and use on your social channels.Heading Back
Great white sharks are almost impossible to see without attracting their attention. The method we use to attract sharks to our vessel is by using a mixture of fish oils or fish by products, known as chum. This is mixed with sea water and then put back into the ocean. This produces a scent trail extending from our boat that sharks in the area pick up on and will then start to approach. Our chum is premixed to ensure it is not too offensive to our guests. Once the sharks are around the boat, we use a bait or decoy to keep the shark’s attention.
Please note there is no feeding of the sharks. Provisioning or feeding of great white sharks has never been permitted within the code of conduct for South African white shark diving activities.
There are many natural sources of chum in the ocean such as by products from seal colonies or dead animals. When doing research scientists also use chum to bring sharks close to vessels to view or to tag.
What to bring
Swimsuit/bathing costume
Warm clothes
Sunscreen
Sun hat & sunglasses in summer
Anti-nausea medication
*take at least two hours before the boat departs. Please note that we are not allowed to provide medication.
Camera
Prescription masks
(if needed) - our masks fit over glasses but we recommend contact lenses)
Beanie & scarf in winter
Your adrenaline filled adventure of a lifetime awaits
Purpose-Built Boat and Cage
Slashfin and Dream Catcher are specifically designed and built for stability, speed, superior safety as well as your comfort in mind.
Slashfin is a 46 feet (14m) long catamaran that can comfortably accommodate 40 passengers plus the crew.
Dream Catcher is a 46 feet (14m) long catamaran that can comfortably accommodate up to 50 passengers plus the crew.
We generally carry less passengers than the boat can take, but their capacity makes them a great choice for group bookings.
Our cage is the largest in the industry and can easily accommodate up to ten divers at a time. The cage is always secured to the side of the boat and your head will never be more than a metre under the surface. Only a breath hold is required when viewing sharks, and the cage is equipped with steel hand and foot bars inside offering ample grip.
Our Expert Crew
Dont take our word for it
Commonly Spotted Species
Great White Sharks
The waters off the Gansbaai coast are renowned for hosting a significant population of the notorious great white shark. They are known to congregate around the famous Shark Alley, attracted by the almost 60 000 strong Cape fur seal population on Geyser Rock nearby.
We can see white sharks between 1.5m (4.9ft) to just over 5m (16ft) in these waters and are able to recognise many of the returning great white sharks through our extensive dorsal fin database.
These sharks are known for their distinctive torpedo-shaped bodies, robust dorsal fins, and powerful tails, all of which contribute to their status as one of the ocean’s top predators.
Despite their formidable reputation, great white sharks are a vulnerable species, facing threats such as habitat degradation, pollution, and overfishing.
Bronze Whaler (Copper) Sharks
Bronze whaler sharks, also known as the copper shark because of its distinctive colouration, is frequently seen at the shark cage diving boats in Gansbaai.
This species is found in temperate waters and usually seen in groups. Bronze whalers can grow up to 3.3m (10.8ft) in length during its 25 to 30-year lifespan. We first noticed bronze whalers at the shark boats in 2013 and it has been amazing to see how they have adapted to the area. The only other way that people can see bronze whalers is by scuba diving during the South African sardine run, which is limited to a few weeks in June and July.
Bronze whalers are not known to be predatory to humans, but do face fishing pressure from angling. Marine Dynamics, together with other operators, have advocated for their increased protection.
Broadnose Sevengill (Cow) Sharks
The Broadnose sevengill shark is quite distinctive with its large, thick body, broad head, blunt snout, a single dorsal fin set far back along the spine, and of course it’s seven gill slits, a unique feature compared to the usual five observed in most sharks. It was formerly known as cow shark and mud shark.
The sevengill has been seen more often at the shark boats in the absence of white sharks and orca, both known predators of the species. Female sevengills are larger than the males, growing up to 2.2m (7.2ft).
This species is known to live offshore but in South Africa they tend to live closer to the coast preferring open areas with a sandy sea floor and sparse kelp. It is an opportunistic and stealthy predator, often making very little movement other than a quick movement in its caudal fin right before striking. It is a slow maturing shark species, taking up to 20 years to breed in their roughly 30-year lifespan.
Stingrays, sunfish, seabirds and more…
Within this vibrant marine ecosystem we are fortunate enough to be able to spot a variety of other marine species. Our encounters include stingrays that visit the cage, large sunfish that cruise through the water and occasionally whales and dolphins that are in the area.
Should time allow, we will make a stop at Dyer Island, home to a massive Cape fur seal colony residing on Geyser Rock. For avid birders, the richness of seabird species in this region provides an unparalleled experience.
Your Questions Answered
Read our daily blogs to stay updated with recent sightings. South Africa is one of the few places in the world, to view white sharks in their natural environment. Historically, we had two distinct seasons. April through to August/September, we would see white sharks around Dyer Island and Geyser Rock, home to a Cape fur seal population. During the remaining months of September to March, the sharks spend more time close to shore, an area we call the shallows. However, we are not seeing such distinct seasons anymore and spend more time in the shallows. White shark behaviour has proved less predictable since 2017 and sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Patience is one of the most important prerequisites to see wildlife, but this is especially true with marine wildlife. There are no resident white sharks as they are a highly migratory species. Sharks are transient, visiting the area for a few days to a few weeks only, hence we observe new sharks on a regular basis while the ones we observed yesterday may have moved on already. Sometimes we wait a few minutes, while at other times, we wait several hours after anchoring, and it can happen that we do not see any sharks. We also cannot control their behaviour and time they spend at the boat.
Nature and wildlife are unpredictable, and large top predators like the great white shark are elusive and cautious creatures.
No. The sharks are often very active at the surface and can be observed from the boat without having to go into the shark cage. Surface viewing is great and provides you with great opportunities to capture these amazing and beautiful animals on camera!
No, anyone can do this – we have divers as young as 4 and as old as 100. We do not use scuba equipment in the cage due to the potential negative effect that the bubbles and noise create, which may affect the shark behaviour.
Underwater visibility varies depending on time of the year, where we are anchored, sea conditions, algae bloom, etc It can be limited in summer (1-2m) which often makes for a dramatic appearance of a shark. On very rare days during the austral winter, we can get much better visibility.
Gansbaai is located in the meeting place of two current systems: the warm Agulhas current from the Indian Ocean and the cold Benguela current from the Antarctic Ocean. The predominant winds in the region vary during our austral winters (mainly north-westerly) and summers (mainly south-easterly), hence pushing the colder / warmer waters closer to shore or further offshore. As a result, the water is generally warmer during our austral winters (generally 15-20 degrees Celsius or 59-68 degrees Fahrenheit) than during our austral summers (generally 10-15 degrees Celsius or 50-59 degrees Fahrenheit).
In the event that there is no shark activity while on a shark cage diving tour with Marine Dynamics, then a voucher will be offered. This voucher is not transferable – your name and passport number will be recorded on the voucher. If a shark has been sighted from the boat, we will consider that a successful trip. The transfer fee is non-refundable. (refer our Terms & Conditions for more information).
The South African cage-diving industry is regulated by a Code of Conduct and regulations from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. Apart from incidents related to carelessness on the boat or cage, and seasickness and dehydration, no shark-related injuries or accidents to guests have been recorded on our boat since 2005.
Yes, if it is done properly, with respect towards the sharks, the other wildlife in the area and the general ecosystem according to the regulations in place. Marine Dynamics ethical commitment toward the sharks and their conservation determine our every decision, and we will not in any way jeopardise the wildlife and ecosystem. Our mission through our educational excursions is to change people’s mindset and attitudes towards sharks, in particular great white sharks, and to educate them about all our marine species. This change in the public’s perception is vital to establish an appreciation of, and thus conservation of this wonderful species. White shark cage diving also plays a critical role in daily monitoring in South Africa which enhances our understanding of white sharks and in turn supports conservation policy. Please see www.dict.org.za for a list of research publications.
You should also schedule more than one day during your holiday to avoid any disappointments due to bad weather conditions, especially during the austral winter months (April through September). Every day is different at sea, and we can never forecast what the conditions, situations or encounters will be like. If you are a marine enthusiast and want to spend more time with our sharks, then we recommend spending more time in Gansbaai and doing more than one trip. You may also want to do Marien Big 5/whale watching trip with our sister company Der Island Cruises
Yes, please discuss with our reservation team. Our crew can assist with access into the cage, and our facilities are wheelchair friendly.
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Conservation Partners
Dyer Island Conservation Trust
African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary
Department: Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Cape Nature
Overstrand Municipality
Plastics SA
Tourism Partners
Fair Trade Tourism
SATSA
Cape Town Tourism
Cape Country Routes
Gansbaai Tourism
