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Travel bucket list idea:

Swim with mako and blue sharks in Cape Town

  • Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Last updated: 21 March, 2024

While Great White Sharks have been the star attraction of Cape Town’s marine adventures for years, shark-lovers and ocean adventurers can also head into the waters south of Cape Point to free-dive, snorkel and scuba dive with the mako and blue sharks that patrol these waters.

Alongside these graceful deep-sea sharks, there is also the opportunity to spot yellowfin tuna, bonito and sunfish, as well as a range of pelagic birds including albatross, petrels and skua.

Full-day excursions depart from Simon’s Town harbour, and all equipment is provided. A valid certification is required for those wishing to scuba dive.

Logistics

Price from: £125
Minimum age: 13
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Duration: Full day

Getting there & doing it

Tour operators depart from Simon’s Town harbour, a 45-minute drive from the city centre.

All equipment is provided, and experienced dive masters lead all dives/snorkelling. Sea conditions can be rough, so take anti-nausea medication if you are susceptible to sea sickness.

When to do it

Pelagic shark trips are offered November to June, although winter conditions can be rough and cold. March-April offers perhaps the finest weather, with mild temperatures, sunny days and less of the Cape’s infamous south-easterly wind.

Divers meet at 6am for pre-trip briefing and equipment allocation, before the boat departs at 7am to enjoy sunrise views of Cape Point on the trip south. The trip returns around 2pm for lunch (included) at the dive centre.

Who to go with: tour operators

1

Our writer’s recommended tour operators to book with

Shark Explorers

  • Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Shark Explorers

TourOperator

Shark Explorers

Highly experienced and professional shark diving specialist offering diving/snorkelling with blue and mako sharks, and cage diving with great white sharks, in Cape Town. They also organise diving trips to see the Sardine Run, and shark diving in Bimini to see hammerheads and tigers.