Our Boat and Cage

Safe, Well-designed and Powerful

White Pointer II is the name of our 35 ft. catamaran. This boat was specifically built for the purpose of working, viewing and diving with Great white sharks in the waters of the Western Cape. She complies with all safety requirements and Great white shark permit conditions. She carries all the necessary safety equipment and is certified on an annual basis by SAMSA, the authority responsible for maritime safety in South Africa. We are committed to achieving and maintaining a high standard of health and safety both on land and at sea. We will always strive to set the standards of a safe boat-based operation, going beyond our legal obligations to manage any potential risks effectively and provide a safe environment for all involved.

Features

She takes a maximum of 12 guests on board, the smallest trips in the industry
Built with photography in mind, the vessel allows guests 360 degree walk-around opportunities, as well as a fly bridge for alternate angles
The upper viewing deck comfortably accommodates 6 guests
She is powered by two 250 HP, 4-stroke Yamaha engines. These match a quiet, stable ride with speed and fuel efficiency thereby saving on our carbon footprint
She boasts a fully enclosed wrap-around cabin. The curved windscreens offer superb visibility from inside the cabin and the cushioned seats offer comfort
Flush toilet
Dry storage lockers

Hygiene and Safety

Our boat surfaces and frequently touched areas are sanitized before you board the vessel, as well as during and after every excursion
Hand sanitizer is conveniently positioned aboard
All items utilized by you on board will be appropriately sanitized and cleaned during excursions
Handling of any necessary equipment on board will be carried out by the skipper and crew and not by our guests
The crew are registered tour guides trained in first aid, fire – fighting and are subjected to stringent monthly safety drills
Safety equipment includes life jackets, first aid kit, radio and cellular phone

Shark Cage Diving – the Safe Way

Our shark cage is constructed with galvanized steel and certified by a registered engineer. Further to this the South African cage-diving industry is regulated by a code of conduct and regulations from Marine and Coastal Management DAFF. Our equipment meets all the required safety standards and the experience of our crew ensure that you’re in good hands.

No experience is required to shark cage dive. We use the breath-hold technique as visibility can be limited and eyeball time with the animals’ underwater usually only lasts a few seconds at a time. Our experienced and professional crew will give you direction to ensure maximum shark viewing whilst cage diving. A hookah scuba system is available for certified divers upon request. Please indicate when making your booking.

Boat Based Viewing

If you don’t want to get wet, the boat based viewing is excellent as many of the sharks swim at the surface. Our surface viewing deck offers 360 degrees view and our enclosed cabin offers cover and protection from the elements. As the boat based viewing is equal if not better than the cage dive viewing, divers and non-divers pay the same price for the shark trip.

Hygiene

Wetsuits, masks and snorkels are disinfected, rinsed in fresh water and dried before every use.
Each guest will receive equipment that has been thoroughly disinfected and rinsed
Upon removal of wetsuits, booties, gloves, masks and snorkels, all items are immediately put into a disinfectant solution
Each piece of equipment is only used once per day
Guests are not allowed to share any equipment or towels that belong to Apex Shark Expeditions.

Safety First

All shark cage diving is done under the supervision of an experienced crew who have first aid & oxygen management, scuba & commercial skippers’ qualifications and have expert knowledge of the behaviour of sharks around the cage
The cage is designed to float, leaving a free board of about 30cm (about one foot). The cage is solidly attached to the side of the boat by two thick ropes that prevent the cage from drifting away and equipped with several independent flotation devices which keep it buoyant
Our cage has been designed to ensure there are no sharp edges on which a shark can injure itself in the event one should touch the cage accidentally
The shark cage we use is a surface cage. It is not a submersible shark cage. Our crews are close to cage at all times and will ensure any guest in distress is quickly and safely removed from the cage.
You may end your shark cage dive at any time as we operate surface cages only. Your head is never more than half a meter below the surface and you can decide when and how long you want to stay underwater
Specially designed doors ensure ease of access for divers. Getting into the cage is as simple as stepping off the boat
Our cage comfortably accommodates a GoPro camera and is equipped with steel hand and foot bars inside offering grip and stability when filming

Does the cage have a lid?

Yes. The lid is closed once you are safely in the cage however it is easily opened either by yourself or the crew

What must you wear to cage dive?

We advise donning your bathing suit under your clothes when getting dressed for your trip. A second skin may add extra warmth for the guests who are prone to the cold. Wetsuits and all other dive gear will be provided.

Will you scuba dive in the cage or just breath hold?

We prefer not to use scuba equipment which produces a lot of noise and bubbles under the water. This often keeps the sharks from coming close. You will have a better chance of seeing the sharks if we can communicate the direction the sharks are coming from, especially when the water visibility is poor. However, if you prefer using scuba equipment and you are a qualified scuba diver, we will provide you with a regulator to dive in the cage once everyone else has had their dive.

How long can you stay in the cage?

This depends on the number of guests on the trip who wish to go into the cage. Your first cage dive will be relatively short, just long enough for you to see a shark. Once everyone has had a chance to see the sharks from the cage, you can then return for a second dive, time allowing. You should get 20 – 30 minutes in the cage

Wildlife Sightings Cannot Be Guaranteed.

We Will However, Give You Realistic Expectations before Making A Booking.