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Great White Shark Diving in Cape Town: Gansbaai Cage Dive
Great White Shark Diving in Cape Town: Gansbaai Cage Dive.
Fantastic diving with white sharks! It’s one of those adventurous pursuits that make people feel strongly. As may be expected from an extreme activity involving near encounters with this fearless and feared marine predator, the response to the mention of shark cage diving ranges from mild to strong rejection to astonishment and enthusiasm to complete horror.
In order to experience what it’s truly like to get up close and personal with the king of apex predators, I made the brave decision to cage dive with the great whites on the Cape Whale Route near Cape Town.
How is Shark Cage Diving in Gansbaai, Cape Town?
It’s frightening and incredibly thrilling. Pretty out on the water and cold in the water. It’s well worth the investment.
It should come as no surprise that many people’s bucket lists include swimming with the most proficient predator in the world. With tens of thousands of visitors jumping in each year, Cape Town’s shark cage diving industry is thriving and strong. Shark cage diving in Gansbaai is a unique and motivating way to get your heart rate up on a Monday (or any other day), and last week I joined the growing number of adventurers who have done it!
I went shark cage diving last week and…
It was quite frightening. Being a somewhat daring individual who has experience with high-adrenaline sports like skydiving, bungee jumping, abseiling, etc., the shark cage dive with White Shark Ventures was unquestionably an adrenaline booster.
Accessing Gansbaai, a Shark Cage Diving Hotspot
The nine of us left for Gansbaai, one of the top five Great White Shark diving hotspots in the world, after our shark cage diving leader, Wiehann, picked us up from our various Cape Town doorsteps. The 160-kilometer trip from Cape Town to Gansbaai on the Cape Whale Route took us two hours, giving us plenty of time to think about the upcoming dive.
How would it feel to intentionally run into the notorious apex predator who first came to my attention as the frightful lead in the film Jaws?
We learned about the history of the area and other fascinating facts from Wiehann as he drove us up Sir Lowry’s Pass and into the Cape Flats. He also discussed the daily struggles that residents of the townships endure. He gained my trust right away by being straightforward and honest without sugarcoating Cape Town’s less appealing features. His superb driving also helped.
We met the other courageous people going shark diving when we arrived at Kleinbaai, a little harbor, and had a bite to eat in the White Shark Ventures dining area. If you’re prone to sea sickness, skip the breakfast. We then acknowledged personal responsibility for ourselves and our belongings by signing the indemnity forms.
Wiehann shared some of his extensive knowledge of white sharks and what to anticipate out in Shark Alley as we scrawled on the dotted line. Hearing that people are too bony to be served as shark meal and that their primary diet consists of seals, other sharks, and the occasional scavenge from a whale carcass was somewhat reassuring.
The most comforting fact was that White Shark Ventures has a 100% safety record and has been in business for more than 20 years (sigh of relief).
After completing the necessary preparations, we strolled to the bright dock and boarded our reliable ship. We received a safety briefing on board the 11-meter catamaran, which is similar to what flight attendants conduct prior to departure. Then, with Wiehann as the divemaster, a skipper, two deckhands, a filmmaker, and roughly twenty eager visitors, we ventured out to sea. We drove around ten kilometers in a light wind of ten knots, which is reportedly sufficient to disperse the chum in the water.
After about fifteen minutes, we lowered anchor and came to a seemingly random stop. Here, we waited as the deckhands tossed some chum—a mixture of crushed pilchards and fish blood—into the water to draw in the great whites.
Our first skulking predator showed up in a matter of minutes, however it may take up to an hour. The first great white had come to investigate after sniffing out the gory chum trail.
Gansbaai Great White Shark Diving
There was a controlled rush to struggle into wetsuits, booties, and hoodies after the shark was in the water and there was a buzz of excitement in the air. A few of us scrambled excitedly to join the first five divers in the cage attached to the boat’s side. The first group was soon outfitted and given goggles as they were hurriedly assisted into the partially submerged cage. The row of shark divers was bobbing, heads above water, in the locked cage before you could say “false alarm,” which it wasn’t.
The attentive crew would sound the alert every few minutes, telling the divers to go beneath and search left, right, or straight for the enormous white swimming just in front of them. To attract the sharks even closer to the lowered cage, the deckhands periodically tossed several tuna heads on a rope end and pulled the bait back in towards the boat.
The rest of us could observe the sharks’ strong motions as they patrolled the seas and followed the bait from above while looking down from the boat. There was a surge of excitement in the cage and on deck as one of the great whites occasionally broke the surface, splashing and flashing some fangs.
It was my time to descend into the cage with four other people in varying states of excitement after the first group was pulled out of the choppy Atlantic seas after around fifteen minutes. I was a little anxious, but not anxious because, so far, being in the water seemed like a rather gentle experience. I didn’t think the shark cage diving experience would be very exciting, but I was sorely mistaken!
Hansie, the skipper, assisted me in descending into the cage and the cold water (15°C). I was up to my shoulders in the water, with my head comfortably above the surface, standing on a cross-bar in the steel cage that resembled a capsule.
The cage’s metal bars were surprisingly thin, and the spaces between them were frighteningly larger than I had anticipated, but they were all incredibly solid and durable. Operators’ cages differ slightly, and some businesses utilize modest weights to make you less buoyant in the water. No prior diving experience is necessary; we only used goggles instead of snorkels, weights, scuba equipment, or flippers.
A sleek male shark soon surfaced. We grasped the bars that ran along the interior of the cage to pull ourselves beneath and look at the aquatic beast while the spotters yelled from onboard. We were able to view the shark clearly as it moved through the water in silence since the underwater visibility was between two and three meters. The shark was gliding only a few meters from my eyes for a few amazing moments—it was an amazing sight!
But hold on a minute… A huge, possibly three-meter white shark slammed into the cage next to me before our allotted fifteen minutes were over! Within feet of me, this large great white swam up and poked the cage!
The strongest fish in the ocean was within arm’s reach of me, and I was up against a shark. There are no words to describe how thrilling it was to see a great white up close and stare into its dark eyes as it pushed against the bars between us! I definitely had my adrenaline pumping!
I will never forget the incredible few seconds I spent looking closely at the shark’s amazing teeth arrangement. Respect and a healthy amount of dread were in order for that Great White that approached me so closely. It didn’t feel like a jaws moment with a frantic murderer, however I’m not sure what was going through the shark’s predatory mind. The shark swam up to examine the action and then continued on, appearing calm and interested.
Five juvenile sharks, each measuring between 2½ and 3½ meters in length—apparently pretty small—appeared during our dive. Although females are marginally larger than males and the adult white sharks are around 4 meters long, they are less curious than their younger counterparts. At roughly 6.3 meters in length and 1200 kilograms in weight, the longest great white shark ever seen in the Gansbaai region was noted!
We returned to Gansbaai after a second, less spectacular dive, feeling a little chilly, awed, and incredibly energized. After returning to land, we enjoyed a delicious lunch, watched the shark tour DVD (which is for sale), and learned more about the elegant great white sharks that inhabit the world’s waters.
The ideal way to round off an exciting day was to witness some southern right whales lolling close to the coast in Hermanus, the capital of the Cape Whale Route, before returning to Cape Town after lunch.
FAQs on Shark Cage Diving
Here are some helpful tips for shark cage diving at Gansbaai, which is around two hours from Cape Town and is known as Shark Alley, which runs between Geyser Rock and Dyer Island.
In Gansbaai, will you undoubtedly spot sharks?
The likelihood of seeing Great White Sharks is very high. However, since these are ‘wild’ sharks swimming around in the ocean, shark sightings cannot be assured. Great Whites are surface feeders that can be found near the West Coast coastlines, where the water temperature and oxygen content are marginally greater.
The Gansbaai region is the finest spot to watch Great White Sharks, which number between 4,000 and 6,000 off the coast of South Africa.
To what extent do you get to see great whites up close?
Like other interactions with wild animals, this is largely dependent on luck. The animals will decide how close you can go to them—in this case, as close as the cage will let. The sharks are drawn to the area around the boat by the chum, and the hunters are then lured in by the bait. With the exception of the amazing shark that swam directly into the cage within arm’s length of me, the sharks usually passed us by when I was diving, at a distance of two or three meters.
Is it safe to go shark cage diving in Gansbaai?
Shark cage diving is indeed a risk-free adventure sport. Under laws that are strictly enforced, the shark cage-diving industry is regulated and runs in accordance with safety regulations.
The following Xplorio Gansbaai statistic demonstrates the point:
“The chance of being killed by a shark is one in 300 million – the chance of being killed by airplane parts falling from the sky is one in 10 million!”
Check see this post: Is Shark Cage Diving Safe? if you’re still not sure.
Was the water genuinely that cold?
The water is cold because it’s the Atlantic Ocean, but it was tolerable for average mortals at 15°C. Thick wetsuits, booties, and sweatshirts are provided, and you are only allowed to be in the cage for ten minutes at a time.
The cold sets in more quickly if you decide to return to the cage for a second bout. The guy next to me on my second dip stayed in there and shivered a lot for the entire fifteen minutes because he was so determined to see more sharks.
You can also participate in a shark cage diving excursion without entering the cage and observe the sharks from the boat’s rooftop viewing platform, which offers some of the best views of the animals.
Why visit Gansbaai, South Africa, for shark cage diving?
Just 160 kilometers from Cape Town, it is the location for getting up close and personal with the great white sharks. This implies that Gansbaai, one of the top three tourist sites in South Africa, is accessible by day from the famous mother city.
View our schedule of forthcoming low-cost tours that leave Cape Town.
By contrasting shark cage diving in Gansbaai with cage diving at other great white shark hotspots worldwide, this infographic expertly summarizes the benefits of shark diving in Gansbaai:
The opportunity to see other marine animals, such as the Marine Big Five—whale, great white shark, dolphin, seal, and penguin—during shark cage diving excursions in Gansbaai is an additional benefit. This region of South Africa is well-known for its whales, Geyser Rock is home to over 40,000 Cape Fur Seals, and Dyer Island is home to a sizable breeding colony of African Penguins, totaling around 2000.
Is diving in a shark cage a must-do adventure sport?
Shark cage diving was well worth the adrenaline rush, especially after spending a few tense moments up close with one of these toothy guys. When the curious (sticking with interested) shark bumped against the cage, I almost went into my neighbor’s wetsuit, but I felt safe.
One of the most fascinating and thrilling activities in Cape Town is to watch these little-known animals swim by; it’s a unique opportunity to be in awe of their strength and elegance. Additionally, the shark diving experience is instructive and enriching.
In contrast to the adrenaline rush of abseiling from Table Mountain, which is essentially guaranteed, the thrill of getting up really close is not. The complete shark cage dive experience is unique; it’s not only heart-pounding action to witness this endangered predator in its natural habitat.
Is it moral to dive in shark cages?
Regarding the ethical implications of shark cage diving on the behavior and eating habits of natural sharks, some doubts remain. By chumming and baiting, some people worry that shark cage diving fosters a relationship between humans and shark food (sharks are not permitted to be fed during shark cage diving tours). Another worry is that shark diving might disrupt the way sharks naturally behave in the ocean.
Many people believe that the shark cage diving industry as a whole is helpful, if not essential, in safeguarding and comprehending these enigmatic large sharks. This is because the majority of shark cage diving operators support shark conservation by conducting their own study or contributing to shark research.
In Cape Town, when is the greatest time to go shark cage diving?
Although Gansbaai offers shark cage diving all year round, the finest (clearest) water visibility occurs from March to September, which is autumn to spring.
Great white shark diving is available at False Bay, close to Simon’s Town, from February to September, and in Mossel Bay, along the Garden Route, from April to September.
Selecting a Shark Cage Diving Company in Cape Town’s Gansbaai
White Shark Ventures: My Personal Story
White Shark Ventures, one of the first shark cage diving companies founded in Gansbaai, took me diving. The business has a stellar reputation, received a 2014 Certificate of Excellence, and scores 4.5 on the TripAdvisor rating scale. The group was founded in 1992, has a wealth of experience, and is regarded as one of Cape Town’s top shark cage diving operators. In an effort to save great white sharks globally, White Shark Ventures also established the Great White Shark Protection Foundation.
My experience with White Shark Ventures has shown me that they provide a personalized and very affordable shark cage diving experience. The group was amiable, informed, and skilled; we had the impression that we were in good hands. The dining/reception room was sufficiently comfortable, and the catamaran, equipment, and quantum vehicle utilized during the trip were all in acceptable condition.
The breakfast and lunch were simple but pleasant, with beverages (just instant coffee, I’m afraid), and there were light snacks and non-alcoholic drinks available on board. The shark diving experience was captured on tape by a cameraman, and you can purchase throwaway waterproof cameras or rent DSLRs. Naturally, you are allowed to bring your own camera, but you must also bring your own towel.
The most upscale and exclusive shark cage diving experience available isn’t this one. Their day excursion is among the more reasonably priced options, costing R1650 per person (including transfers from Cape Town).
To find out what’s new with White Shark Ventures, check out their YouTube videos of shark cage dives and visit their Facebook page.
Marine Dynamics Shark Tours: An Experience of a Colleague
Another member of the Monumental Expeditions and Safaris game team went shark cage diving with Marine Dynamics, which has a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor and is ranked first on the list. At R1850 per person for a day tour, they are reasonably priced and also headquartered in Gansbaai. Comparatively speaking, our shark cage diving experiences were rather comparable; the main exception is that Marine Dynamics always travels with a marine researcher. Additionally, they employ bait and a decoy combination without giving the sharks food.
In order to study and safeguard sharks, Marine Dynamics collaborates with the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, which was founded by Marine Dynamics founder Wilfred Chivell.
Unfortunately, several of the uneasy passengers threw away the more substantial meal that was part of my colleague’s day excursion into the sea. The Marine Dynamics yacht has more amenities, including a fully-serviced restaurant, and is slightly larger and more opulent. Both businesses allow five persons to enter the shark diving cage simultaneously, while Marine Dynamics offers weight belts.
Which Shark Cage Diving Tours Are the Cheapest?
Based on our expertise, we can suggest the two trustworthy shark cage diving companies in Gansbaai listed above. Both provide outstanding value for money and are fairly priced.
Our favorite shark diving companies in Gansbaai offer a few reasonably priced shark diving excursions on ABS.
Have you already gone great white shark diving or know someone who had an exciting story? Give us a brief account of your shark diving adventures and offer some advice to people who are thinking about doing it.