Cage diving from Kleinbaai harbour at Gansbaai, about two hours from Cape Town. Breath-hold only, no certification needed, and viewing from the deck is included for anyone who would rather stay dry.
Boats leave Kleinbaai harbour at Gansbaai and anchor about fifteen minutes out, over the shallow channel between the mainland and Dyer Island. The cage hangs off the side of the boat and you go in wearing a wetsuit, holding your breath and dropping under when a shark comes past. There is no scuba and no certification involved.
Be clear about what you are likely to see. Great white numbers off Gansbaai have fallen sharply in recent years, and the sharks that come to the boats now are usually bronze whalers and broadnose sevengills. A white shark is possible rather than expected.
You do not have to get in. Viewing from the deck is part of every trip, and plenty of people do the whole outing dry. The industry runs under a Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment code of conduct.
Highlights
- Departs Kleinbaai harbour, Gansbaai
- Breath-hold in the cage, no scuba or certification needed
- Deck viewing included, getting in is optional
- Bronze whalers and sevengills are the common sharks; white sightings have declined
- Runs year round, regulated under a national code of conduct
Tips
Wetsuits, dive gear and meals on board are part of the trip.