Spend time watching one of the world’s most feared fish on this 4-to-6-hour cage diving experience in Cape Town. Travel to the ocean off the coast of Gansbaai for a full-day tour. Learn about great white sharks from your marine-biologist guide, and then dive into the water in a cage to observe sharks in their natural habitat. Breakfast, snacks and hotel-pick up and drop off are included.

Full-day shark-diving tour from Cape Town
Journey into the open ocean from Gansbaai, a fishing village known for its dense population of great white sharks
Enjoy breakfast at the Great White House
Learn about the sharks in their natural habitat from an onboard marine biologist
Jump into a cage as your lowered into the water, which is the natural habitat of great white sharks
Bring home a video of your experience (own expense)

What's Included

Breakfast
Light refreshments
Professional guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off
All diving gear and towels supplied

Gratuities

Meeting And Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Pick-up from hotels, guesthouses, backpackers, vacation rentals, AirBnB's and any other points within Cape Town city centre. Please specify your pickup address. We can inform you if it is possible. Please note that the timeslot selected is an estimated time for when the Shark Cage Diving boat will launch. Pickup time will be earlier to allow enough travel time from Cape Town to arrive for pre-trip briefing at the Great White House in Gansbaai. These are only estimated times and exact times can only be confirmed a day prior, after a detailed weather and tide check. Please allow a full day in your itinerary for this activity.

What To Expect

This exciting shark experience begins from your central Cape Town hotel.

Start at the Great White House, Gansbaai’s shark diving center, where you’ll eat breakfast, and meet your guides for the day. After eating, get fitted into the appropriate diving gear.

Climb into the specialized diving boat, complete with a shark diving cage, for the 20-minute trip into the ocean. Your captain heads for Dyer Island, choosing an ideal place to stop for the dive.

The cage is secured to the side of the boat, and during the cage dives it stays a few feet (meters) below the surface of the water. This means it’s easy for you to get out of the water at any point when you want to.

The boat stays anchored in this diving spot for roughly two hours, depending on shark activity. During that time, there are drinks and snacks for you aboard the boat. After the boat returns to Gansbaai, enjoy light refreshments back at the Great White House. You can choose to buy a professional video of your shark cage diving experience (own expense).

Your experience concludes with a drop-off at your hotel in Cape Town.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Minimum age is 8 years
You must contact the local service provider to confirm your exact pickup time
It is recommended that you wear a swim-suit underneath your clothes
This tour typically departs at 9am, however if the weather conditions are bad in the morning, the tour will leave in the afternoon; this will be confirmed by the tour operator close to the day of your tour
Please note: Sharks are wild animals and their presence cannot be guaranteed. Every experience that guests have w, is educational from start to finish. The local supplier works with wild life and nature and sightings are never guaranteed. If a shark has been sighted from the boat, they will consider that a successful trip. If there is no shark activity while on a shark cage diving tour with the supplier, then a voucher will be offered. This voucher is not transferable – your name and passport number will be recorded on the voucher. The transfer fee is non-refundable.
Wheelchair accessible

Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travellers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 35 travellers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveller Photos

Featured review

Kerry_W

This experience is a must for everyone. We had a great day, collection from the hotel in Cape Town and driven to the boat. Just under two hours with a stop for refreshments/toilet along the way. Everything is explained really clearly, the team were super helpful and friendly. Breakfast was provided and soup after we got back. There were plenty of sharks and to see them so close up was amazing! Highly recommend this excursion. Tip - invest in a waterproof case for your phone. We got some amazing videos of the sharks.

Reviews

4.5

415 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 415 reviews

Full Eye-Contact with a Shark

Sarah_S, May 2023

(excuse the low quality of the picture it’s a screenshot from a video I took) this was an absolutely amazing experience. pick up time was 3:50AM, but with jet-lag I barely noticed. after a quiet 2-hour drive from Cape Town, we enjoyed a light breakfast with coffee at Gaansbai, and an enthusiastic marine biologist described how the day would go. we were told we probably wouldn’t see great whites (orcas had been murdering them so they fled the bay for a few years?? cool/disturbing) but bronze whalers should be around. once on the boat, we faced some bracing sea wind out to the dive spot. we ended up seeing 7 bronze whalers and a few huge stingrays, and they swam right by the cage. I made eye contact with a shark. I think it stared into my soul. it was amazing. all of the staff were friendly and attentive, and it’s clear they prioritize safety and comfort, both for the sharks and the guests. they also really emphasize conservation, which is important. truly can’t recommend this enough; also, if you can get a waterproof case/bag for your phone, do it. I was able to capture some great videos that inspired major jealousy among my friends and family.

Amazing

Iain_S, May 2023

Amazing experience with the Bronze Whaler Sharks. Booked to see Great Whites but this was every bit as good. Really recommend this tour 👌

Bucket list moment

Kamal_K, May 2023

Was truly an amazing experience, the marine biologist was very enthusiastic and informative, we had a good amount of time in the cage (30 minutes roughly per person) and managed to see 4 great whites!

Highly Recommend, don’t skip the opportunity

Andrew_P, May 2023

Such a well run trip with amazing staff. I could not have asked for much more. Seeing a Jaws sized shark maybe?

Amazing

Kelly_M, Apr 2023

Amazing efficiency every minute is used well. The team very accommodating and knowledgeable. Fantastic experience with my 10 and 12 yr old. Totally worth it.

Proffersonal

Daniel_M, Apr 2023

Great. But didn't see the Great white. Very professional staff. They told us before the dive there probably not gonna be a great whithe, but you never know ..

Must do - a very memorable experience!

Jekaterina_S, Mar 2023

This was by far my favourite thing we did in South Africa - the company is eco friendly and take conservation efforts very seriously, the drive & transport were super smooth, we got good food before and after the dive, and the best part- the diving! We didn’t see any great white sharks unfortunately but plenty of bronze whaler sharks plus stingrays, birds, fish, and even penguins. Would definitely do again. The view from the cage is amazing and the feeling is beyond incredible.

Cool experience, take lots of motion sickness pills

Bojan_P, Mar 2023

The staff were very kind and helpful with the safety precautions before going on the boat, as well as when on the boat with getting into the cage, getting wet suits on, and when people became seasick. We didn't see great whites but we saw 3-4 bronze sharks. It was also easier to see the sharks from the boat more than in the water as the water was so rough. We don't usually get seasick but the waters were very choppy (even after taking motion sickness meds) and so the experience was less enjoyable as a result of that; however, the staff were great. They said we would get breakfast before, but it was really just cheese and not enough croissants for everyone. Afterwards we were given soup, which was delicious and very much needed after being in the extremely cold Atlantic Ocean. Overall, it is a cool experience but I would never do it again.

Shark Diving, My best experience

Chikondi_J, Mar 2023

Seeing sharks in real life in water was the best highlight of the trip. The team is very professional and they were very helpful in their guidance and preparation for all the people. I was also impressed by their love for nature and I have to find a way of contributing to their conservation drive.

Awesomely fantastic

Lee_e, Mar 2023

Obviously we wanted to see a great white but that’s the dream. Great trip seeing copper sharks over 3m long inches from your face. Superbly organised by great staff in a fantastic location. Can’t wait until I do it again.

The dive is only 2h you...

Maarten_H, Feb 2023

The dive is only 2h you loose a lot of time driving to the Harbour. Not mentioned, that is a pity. The dive was great

Very nice experience, the...

Lukas_K, Feb 2023

Very nice experience, the guides were fantastic, thanks a million for your care of us and of sharks 😃

Sharks!

Bri_H, Feb 2023

We had so much fun on our shark diving tour! We learned a lot about sharks, and saw four on our tour. The crew was very helpful, and they gave us hot coco and a warm shower after our dive. Two light meals were also provided.

Great experience

Mumbi_M, Feb 2023

Went solo but didn’t feel it at all. Everyone was so nice & friendly. The tour its self was great. It’s a long drive to Gansbaai but the shuttle was comfortable & Wi-Fi enabled which helped a lot. The shark cage diving was great but the crazy in me would have wanted a no cage experience 😜. Maybe next time !!!

Great experience, lovely...

Tomini_F, Jan 2023

Great experience, lovely and welcoming staff. Would have appreciated more clarity with regards to the possibility of seeing Great White Sharks beforehand. Whole team is wonderful though! Would do it again

A Day We'll Remember

Nicole_J, Jan 2023

An extraordinary experience start to finish. From our on-time pickup at our AirBnb, through the diving and return trip, everything was so adeptly and smoothly orchestrated that I wish I could leave more than 5 stars. Transportation: The van was spacious and modern with AC - we managed to sneak in naps both ways. The driver stopped once on each trip around the halfway point at beautiful little markets that really added to the overall experience. Once in Gansbaii, we were escorted to a light breakfast (fruit, yogurt, croissants, coffee) at the Great White restaurant. After getting settled, our boat's marine biologist did a safety debrief and also educated us on the sharks we would hopefully see that day. We then walked as a group to the harbor. It was a short distance that would not be prohibitive to those with mobility concerns. We were on the Slashfin. The way out was a bit choppy, but it was a short ride. If you are prone to motion sickness, the lower level feels less movement. Everyone was broken into four smaller groups to take their turn in the cage. I believe there were 8 of us at once in the cage. There was plenty of room to move. Everyone is outfitted with a 5mil wetsuit, diving shoes, a face mask, and a weight belt. You are not given a snorkel or oxygen. Hold your breath and brace yourself using a foot rail near the bottom of the cage. We were SURROUNDED by bronze whalers (copper sharks). They came close enough to (theoretically) touch and even slapped the cage with their tail fins. Exhilarating! My husband was hesitant and mildly anxious about the entire outing. He is now a convert. If he can do it, so can you. After the dive and a hot hose-off, you change back into your clothes and watch the sharks from the upper deck. There were snacks available as well. One of our friends experienced seasickness later in the day. The staff made him comfortable near the front of the boat and was very caring when checking in, without drawing attention to him. Back at the restaurant we were given soup and rolls. You can also buy a video of your dive for R200, which is very reasonable compared to what we've been charged for similar elsewhere. The staff was so informative and engaging, from our driver to the marine biologist on board, and the boat crew. The focus on conservation was also very moving. Truly one of the best experiences I've booked. If the Great Whites return to Dyer Island, I'll be back, too.

Cage

Martha_F, Jan 2023

Being in the cage and experiencing a real live encounter. The whole experience was amazing. I really enjoyed the scenery. You should not advertise Great whites as none have been in the area for several years. It’s very misleading. I would still book because I love sharks in general but I feel deceived thinking I was going to see a great white

Shark cage

KYEONGJI_M, Jan 2023

You can see sharks about 1m distance. It was special experience for me. And the steps are very kind.

Close encounter

William_C, Jan 2023

Close up experience with huge sharks . Worth the time and money . No regrets . The guide was very knowledgeable

Very good

Michelle_M, Jan 2023

Hi! I definitely would recommend doing this trip. Although it is a long drive from Cape Town, the people are so warm and friendly. We didn’t see great white sharks, but we did see copper sharks, a giant stingray, and many birds. The guides are friendly, informative, and the breakfast and soup for lunch were both welcoming and delicious! The only criticisms I have is possibly have smaller groups - I felt a little shortened in the experience of seeing animals since there were so many of us and they needed everyone to get in. The other area of improvement is possibly having it longer or later in the day. When the thing finished we all kind of felt forgotten or just told to wait around for a debriefing that didn’t come.

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