Great white shark cage diving in South Africa is a mix of adrenalin, thrills, fun and education that will change your life – forever! With our qualified great white False Bay afternoon trips, you will learn so much about sharks, including the difference between a male and female shark, how to identify a specific shark by its unique dorsal fin and other markings, their hunting and social behaviour, and quickly learn to identify the individual sharks by their very different personalities. Yes, sharks have personalities just like you and I, and an eyeball to eyeball encounter with a shark is incredibly special. It feels as though you and the shark have a personal connection, as if it is looking deep into your soul. It is hard to explain, but you’ll understand when it happens to you – and you will relive the moment forever!
Sharks, dolphins, whales, seals and penguins, as well as several bird species are in abundance in False Bay– and we cannot wait to share it with you. We also offer shark cage diving gansbaai and de hoop whale watching.
Welcome aboard!
White Pointer II is the name of our 32 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.
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 DEAT – Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. 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.
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.
Yes. The lid is closed once you are safely in the cage however it is easily opened either by yourself or the crew
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.
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.
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
Over
the last 5 years the sightings in all the great white shark hotspots in South
Africa have become increasingly unpredictable and sporadic. This is largely due
to overfishing and increased Orca activity, leaving this species critically
endangered. The good news is there were a few great white shark sightings in Cape
Town recently, however we are yet to have a sighting around the boat.
Currently, we and any other operator cannot confidently offer a great white
shark tour.
We are operating half day shark tours
and cage diving with other shark species in Cape Town. All the species we focus on are large, powerful, and active predators
sure to give you an incredible once in a lifetime experience.
We have been enjoying sightings of the bronze whaler shark (growing to 3.5 meters) close to Seal Island in False Bay. These large predatory sharks are generally very interactive, coming close to cages and are very inquisitive. The trips these past months and years have been equally successful and guest feedback on dives with these other species has been outstanding.
As such you will have an excellent chance to see sharks on any dive you do with us as well as a whole host of other spectacular large marine megafauna. Whales, dolphins, and many species of sea birds are often encountered on this adventurous expedition. As we adopt an eco-system style of operating our trips, going to sea with Apex is like going on a safari game drive and we will try to take in as much marine wildlife as possible on our trips.
As trips are
based on natural events every trip is different and sightings are not guaranteed.
At Apex Shark Expeditions, we strive to offer the best and most professional shark cage diving and ecotourism experience in the world from the moment you make contact with us to long after your experience with us is done. We offer an unforgettable experience rather than just another trip!
40% of all Apex Shark Expeditions guests are repeat guests. Why? It is our personal, intimate and incredible educational experience our professional shark cage diving company and guides deliver.
As we operate with the smallest group size of any shark diving operation in the world, 12 guests only, this enables us to provide that one on one personal service to you, our guest.
2024 Price per Adult | R 3,630.00 | |
Return Transfers per person ex Cape Town | R 850.00 | Due to unpredictable sightings, please enquire. |
2025 Price per Adult | R 3,995.00 | QUICK ENQUIRY |
Return Transfers per person ex Cape Town | R 900.00 |
The Best Shark Cage Diving in South Africa!
You have the power to make a difference when selecting your shark diving operator. Apex Shark Expeditions fights the fight for the Conservation of the Great White Shark.
TripAdvisor is the world’s largest travel site. It rewards top performing hospitality businesses with a Certificate of Excellence. Now in its eighth year, the award celebrates exceptional hospitality and is given to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on the site.
APEX SHARK EXPEDITIONS HAS WON THIS AWARD NINE YEARS IN A ROW.
The award is the result of consistently great reviews from the people that matter the most — our guests.
Wildlife Sightings Cannot Be Guaranteed.
We Will However, Give You Realistic Expectations before Making A Booking.
TOMORROW
Tuesday
27 June 2023
Next trip 28 June
11h45
*Trip status updated daily at 16h00 SAST