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Travel bucket list idea:

Last updated: 16 March, 2024
Expert travel writer: Richard Holmes

In the waters off Cape Town it’s the Great White Shark, carcharodon carcharias, that rules the roost, and admiring this remarkable predator in its natural environment – from the safety of a sturdy steel cage, of course – is a bucket list experience you’ll never forget.

Spacious speedboats leave Kleinbaai harbour (two hours’ drive from Cape Town) in the early morning, setting course for Dyer Island and the famous ‘Shark Alley’. Here, chum (fish bait) is released into the water, the cage is lowered and adventurers don their wetsuits. When a shark comes to investigate, it’s into the water you go.

Note – you don’t have to go in the water to enjoy this trip. Watching these majestic, and curious, creatures glide around from the security of the boat is also worth going for.

From the editor: at time of writing, sightings are less than they used to be following the arrival of two orcas (that prey on the great whites). No one is sure how long the orcas will stay… so check before you book.

Logistics

Price from: £100
Minimum age: 6
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Duration: 5

Getting there & doing it

A range of cage-diving operators run trips from Kleinbaai harbour, with most offering early-morning transfers from Cape Town that return in the afternoon. If you want to self-drive, Kleinbaai is a two-hour drive from Cape Town. Follow signs for Hermanus and the R43 from the N2 freeway.

Trips last roughly five hours, and operators provide a simple lunch and drinks on board. Equipment is provided, so all you’ll need is a swimming costume, towel and courage.Take seasickness tablets if you are susceptible. You’re a few hours on the ocean and there can be swell that sways the boat.

Operators have minimum age policies, ranging from 6-12 years – less if kids stay in the boat.

When to do it

Cage-diving trips run all year round, seven days a week. Morning trips depart around 7am, afternoon trips depart around 1pm.

The best sightings are to be had in winter (May to October) when the visibility is best and sharks hunt for seals around the islands. In summer (January to March) Great Whites tend to hunt inshore, away from the islands where the cage diving takes place.

Who to go with: organised tours

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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Shark Cage Diving and Viewing with transport from Cape Town

Cape Town

Shark Cage Diving and Viewing with transport from Cape Town
You may think you’re a fear-defying thrill lover, but can you handle the ultimate heart-pounding experience? Find out in Gansbaai by cage diving with various shark species. This full-day shark-diving experience takes you out into the open ocean off the shore of Gansbaai and puts you in their habitat. Before jumping in, you'll learn about the sharks from the onboard marine biologist and expert guides. Breakfast, snacks and Cape Town hotel pick-up and drop-off are included.

Price: Z3,660

Min age: 5

Rating 4.50 / 5 [497 ratings]

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Half-Day White Shark Cage Diving from Gansbaai

Gansbaai

Half-Day White Shark Cage Diving from Gansbaai
In South Africa, we are privileged to have access to great white sharks … if you know where to go, and when. Shark Cage Diving and viewing is a unique and niche experience. Exceptional professional and personalised service coupled with extensive industry knowledge make this the ideal choice for an once-in-a-lifetime experience that will captivate your imagination!

Price: Z2,890

Min age: 0

Rating 4.57 / 5 [232 ratings]

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African Shark Eco-Charters Shark Cage Diving Cape Town

Cape Town

African Shark Eco-Charters Shark Cage Diving Cape Town
We are an owner operated licenced shark diving operator with an ethical approach to nature and the environment. Our small groups allow for an intimate and educational experience, and we often encounter dolphins and whales on our tours. We are the top company in Simons Town on TripAdvisor and our reputation and honesty speak for itself, which is why we have been voted into tripAdvisor's hall of fame. We offer Scuba diving and snorkelling on our trips which is just one of the things that sets us apart from other companies.

Price: Z3,600

Min age: 9

Rating 4.52 / 5 [123 ratings]

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Shark Cage Diving Cape Town

Cape Town

Shark Cage Diving Cape Town
We operate a half day tour 45 minutes from Cape Town to see a variety of shark species throughout the year according to the seasons, weather, water temperature and other factors. We operate half day shark tours to either Seal Island area False Bay, or Cape Point as both offer very different opportunities and visibility. Possible shark species can include bronze whalers (copper sharks), Seven gill sharks, Mako Sharks, and Blue sharks. The location for the day will be determined by the best shark activity and sea conditions and will be confirmed with you the day before your trip. The trip is confirmed weather dependent and is not shark species dependent.

Price: Z3,630

Min age: 8

Rating 4.81 / 5 [87 ratings]

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Shark Diving Adventure Penguins in Gansbaai From Cape Town F Day

Cape Town

Shark Diving Adventure Penguins in Gansbaai From Cape Town F Day
This activity will take you to Gansbaai, the shark capital of the world. In Gansbaai shark cage diving, you will get your adrenaline pumping full time as you behold great White Sharks encircling your cage. Truly you cannot be in Cape Town and not take part in Shark diving for Cape Town is the place where the world congregates for the ultimate shark diving experience in the world. Extreme shark adventures happen in Dyer Island. Sharks like this place due to its high population of seals. The island has a large marine bird population including Jackass Penguins, Bank Cormorants, Kelp gulls, rare African Black Oystercatchers and various other marine birds. After watching sharks and some other marine population you will meet some local fisherman that sell fish for a braai (barbecue). The adventure is endless from start to finish.

Price: Z4,900

Min age: 0

Rating 4.61 / 5 [13 ratings]

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Destination guides

1

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Cape Town

Western Cape, South Africa

Aerial view of the whole city at dusk

A vibrant, multicultural city with dramatic scenery, adrenaline adventure galore, Africa’s best art scene, golden beaches world-class wine regions and outstanding gastronomy. All in the shadows of the mighty Table Mountain.

Round-ups

2

Round-ups that include this experience

13 Best places to swim with sharks

Get in the water with the so-called ‘man-eaters’ – great whites, tiger, bull and hammerhead sharks – to appreciate these magnificent but sadly maligned creatures .

White shark near surface.

Since Steven Spielberg’s smash hit film Jaws in 1975, the Great White Shark, carcharodon carcharias, has both fascinated and/or terrified us. Here are our recommendations for the best places to get up close to man’s most feared predator.