From Hermanus or Cape Town: Shark Cage Diving Experience

Highlights

• View great white sharks and other Southern African shark species from the safety of a professional diving cage.
• Experience close encounters with sharks in a safe and controlled environment with expert supervision.
• Spend the day with experienced crew members who have extensive knowledge of great white shark behavior.
• Learn about shark conservation efforts and the importance of protecting great white sharks and other marine species.
• Enjoy continental breakfast and lunch at a coastal lodge before and after your shark viewing experience.
• Receive a certificate commemorating your shark cage diving adventure.

Tour Overview

This full day shark cage diving experience offers an opportunity to see great white sharks up close in their natural environment, making it ideal if you want an adrenaline-filled adventure and to learn about these magnificent predators. The tour includes pickup from Hermanus or Cape Town, or you can meet directly at the departure point in Gansbaai, depending on your preference.

You begin your day with a continental breakfast at a coastal lodge, where you meet your skipper and crew. The skipper has extensive experience working in the unique marine area off the southern Cape coast, with more documented contact with great white sharks than any other operation worldwide. Before heading out to sea, you attend a brief presentation about great white sharks and learn how the operation works with these animals in a responsible and conservation-focused manner.

You board a specialized boat and travel to the shark viewing area, where you spend 2 to 4 hours at sea depending on shark activity. The cage accommodates 6 people at a time, with each person spending approximately 20 minutes in the water. All diving equipment including 7mm wetsuits is provided, and no scuba certification is required. After your time at sea, you return to the lodge for a light lunch and receive your shark cage diving certificate before being transferred back to your pickup location.

Typical Itinerary

1. Hotel pickup - Meet your driver at your hotel or accommodation in Hermanus or Cape Town. Pickup times are confirmed at 4:00 PM the day before your tour via phone or email. Driving time from Cape Town is approximately 2 hours, and from Hermanus about 45 minutes.
2. Arrival at Gansbaai lodge - Arrive at the coastal lodge in Gansbaai and check in for your shark cage diving experience. You have time to use facilities and prepare for the day.
3. Continental breakfast - Enjoy a continental breakfast including freshly made muffins, quiches, yogurt, cereals, toast, cold meats, tea and coffee. This provides energy for your day at sea.
4. Safety briefing and presentation - Attend a comprehensive safety briefing and educational presentation about great white sharks. Learn about shark behavior, conservation efforts, and what to expect during your cage diving experience.
5. Meet your skipper and crew - Meet your experienced skipper and crew members who will guide you throughout the day. The skipper has extensive knowledge of the local shark population and marine environment.
6. Board the boat - Board the specialized shark viewing boat and travel approximately 15 minutes to the shark viewing area in the waters off Gansbaai.
7. Shark viewing and cage diving - Spend 2.5 to 4 hours at sea watching for sharks and taking turns in the cage. The cage holds 6 people at a time, with each person spending about 20 minutes underwater. All equipment including wetsuits is provided.
8. Return to shore - Travel back to the lodge by boat, approximately 15 minutes, after your shark viewing experience.
9. Lunch at the lodge - Enjoy a light lunch at the lodge and receive your shark cage diving certificate. You have time to browse merchandise and purchase souvenirs if desired.
10. Return transfer - Board your transfer vehicle for the return journey to your pickup location in Hermanus or Cape Town.

The exact timing and duration at sea can vary based on shark activity, weather conditions and sea state. The tour operates in most weather conditions, but may be cancelled or shortened if conditions are unsafe. Collection times are confirmed at 4:00 PM the day before your tour, so please ensure you are reachable by phone or email. The amount of time spent viewing sharks depends on how frequently sharks visit the boat, which varies throughout the year.

What's Included

• Full day shark cage diving experience from Gansbaai with pickup from Hermanus or Cape Town, or meet directly at the departure point.
• Continental breakfast at the coastal lodge including muffins, quiches, yogurt, cereals, toast, cold meats, tea and coffee.
• Light lunch at the lodge after your shark viewing experience.
• Boat trip to and from the shark viewing area with experienced skipper and crew.
• Professional English speaking guide providing information about sharks and marine conservation.
• All diving equipment including 7mm wetsuits, masks, snorkels and weights provided.
• Shark cage diving session with approximately 20 minutes per person in groups of 6.
• Snacks and refreshments available on board the boat during your time at sea.
• Shark cage diving certificate commemorating your experience.
• Safety briefing and educational presentation about great white sharks.

Not Included

• Anti-seasickness medication, which is strongly recommended and should be taken before departure if you are prone to motion sickness.
• Personal items such as swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, warm jacket and comfortable shoes.
• Merchandise and souvenirs available for purchase at the lodge.
• Tips for the crew and guides, which are optional and appreciated for good service.
• Babysitting service for children under 6 years old, which is available at an additional charge as children under 6 are not permitted on the boat.
• Extended pickup service for accommodations outside of Hermanus or Cape Town, which may require an additional fee.

Accessibility & Practical Info

• No diving experience or scuba certification is required to participate in the shark cage diving experience.
• Children under 6 years of age are not permitted on the boat due to the duration of the tour being 3 to 4 hours at sea. An in-house babysitting service is available for children under 6 at an additional charge.
• Due to tides and collection schedules, exact pickup times can only be confirmed at 4:00 PM on the day prior to your tour. The local operator will contact you with the exact starting time via phone or email.
• Driving time from Cape Town to Gansbaai is approximately 2 hours, and from Hermanus approximately 45 minutes. Plan accordingly for early morning departures.
• Bring your swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, warm jacket and comfortable shoes. The ocean can be cold even with wetsuits, and weather can change quickly.
• Anti-seasickness tablets are strongly recommended, especially if you are prone to motion sickness. Take them before departure as directed.
• The tour operates in most weather conditions, but may be cancelled or shortened if sea conditions are unsafe. You will be notified of any cancellations in advance.
• The amount of time spent viewing sharks depends on shark activity, which varies throughout the year. The crew will do their best to locate sharks, but sightings cannot be guaranteed.
• Each person spends approximately 20 minutes in the cage in groups of 6. You will have multiple opportunities to enter the cage throughout the 2.5 to 4 hour period at sea.
• All diving equipment including 7mm wetsuits is provided, but you may want to bring your own if you have specific preferences or requirements.