Ganbsaai Shark Diving incl Helicopter Transfer

About the Trip:

Your Shark Cage Diving adventure starts with you being flown by helicopter from Cape Town's V&A Waterfront en-route to Gansbaai. Departure times to be confirmed one day ahead of the trip.

After an approximate 35-50min scenic flight along the Atlantic coastline you'll arrive in Gansbaai where you'll be met by the crew. You will then be given a brief orientation on the day's activities and be required to complete the necessary indemnity forms.

This will be followed by a light breakfast. After breakfast you will take a short walk down to Kleinbaai harbour where all the diving boats are based. Once on board get ready for the ultimate adrenaline rush of your life. Nothing quite compares to Cape Town Shark Diving.... it will leave you on a high for days.

Where We Dive and Best time to Go:

A 10-15 min boat ride will take you out to Shark Alley (between Gyser Rock and Dyer Island, home to one of the largest seal colonies in Southern Africa), renowned as one of "the best" Shark Diving Sites in Gansbaai.

Winter (Apr - Oct) is considered to be the best time to go Shark Diving in South Africa with visibility being better than in the summer however, Great White Shark Diving can be done all year round!

Time at Sea:

Boats stay out at sea for around 2 - 4 hours depending on weather and sea conditions. Once anchored, the crew will immediately begin to chum the water with fish based products, like tuna and fish oil to attract the sharks. With the chum in the water all you can do is wait for the first shark to show up and hope that this happens quickly.

Once the first shark makes its appearance you will kit up and get into the cage where you can get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures. Four to five sharks are usually encountered in a day but if you are exceptionally lucky, you may see more. On some outings up to 18 sharks have been seen!

Dive Equipment:

A simple breath-hold technique is used whilst in the cage. Some boats however, offer clients a constant air supply underwater giving you more time underneath the surface to spend with these spectacular animals. The air is delivered through a regulator via an on-board air compressor. (**Note that this is boat dependent and is available on strictly first come first serve basis**). Advance Booking is highly recommended.

It is also not compulsory for you to use the air supply. No dive certification is required to go Shark Cage Diving. All dive gear including mask, snorkel and wetsuits are provided.

The Dive:

For your 1st Dive you get about 20 - 30 minutes in the cage. Subsequent dives are then rotated amongst the divers to ensure everyone gets a chance to view these awesome beasts. You can sometimes get 2 - 3 dives per trip if the weather, sea conditions and shark activity is good. The cage takes between 5 - 6 people at a time so there is plenty of time to cage dive. Numbers are limited to ensure maximum cage diving time.

For those of you who would prefer not to get in the cage, no problem, these fantastic apex predators can be viewed from the boat. Being surface feeders, it's almost as good as being in the water with them as everything happens pretty close to the surface, giving you exceptional views and fantastic photo opportunities of them circling and descending deeper into the depths below.

Conditions:

Water temperatures vary from 55 - 65°F (12-18°C). Visibility is usually around 6-8 meters but can go up to 12-15 meters on a good day or down to 2-3 meters on a bad day.

The Return to Shore:

On return to shore you will be invited to view the video of the day (available at an additional cost) while you enjoy a light lunch.

Following lunch, you'll be flown back to Cape Town.

The Trip includes:

• Shark Cage Diving & Surface Viewing (1 Trip)
• Boat & Cage Dive Safety Briefing
• An experienced Dive Guide & Boat Skipper
• All dive gear including wetsuits, mask, snorkel & dry towels
• A constant supply of air is available underwater for divers wishing to spend more time underwater with these amazing creatures. It's delivered through a hose and regulator connected to an on-board air compressor. (**note this is boat dependent and available strictly on a first come first serve basis**) Advance Booking is recommended.

Meals:

• A light breakfast on arrival
• Drinks & Snacks on-board the boat
• A light lunch on your return to Kleinbaai Harbour

Transport:

• A return shared Helicopter Flight from Cape Town's V&A Waterfront

What To Bring with You:

• Warm clothing for after the dive.  Waterproof / Windproof Jacket, it can sometimes get a bit chilly on the boat
• Hat & Sun block
• Swimming costume for underneath wetsuits (if diving)
• Camera
• Disposable underwater cameras are also available at the harbour curio shop or at most camera stockists
• Sea / Motion Sickness Tablets

Optional Extras:

• A DVD of the day's activities will be available for purchase. 
• Transport from a central address in Cape Town (7 km radius) to the V&A Waterfront can be arranged upon request.
• Groups of 6 or more can be accommodated over a number of helicopters upon request.

Safety:

The safety of our customers on every Cage Diving trip is of utmost importance to us.

The Operators we deal with have an unblemished Safety Record and carry out regular safety checks. Shark Cage Diving with Great Whites has become an important part of Eco-Tourism in South Africa so ensuring your safety also ensures the continued survival of the Great White Shark.

No Current Info

Itinerary:

Note that the schedules below are a mere guideline and can change at any time. Your official departure time will be confirmed a day prior to departure. During high season there may be as many as two or even three dive Trips available per day depending on the Operator.

Trip Schedule: