The First Choice Shark Cage Diving Operator For:
Join Apex Shark Expeditions for a thrilling half-day shark cage diving tour in False Bay, just 45 km from the city center of Cape Town. Departing from Simon’s Town at 06:30, this morning trip targets Seal Island, home to 65,000 Cape fur seals, a key hunting ground for sharks.
While great white shark sightings have declined (90% of tagged great whites vanished since 2019, per Oceans Research Institute), our tours frequently encounter bronze whaler and sevengill sharks, plus Cape fur seals, dolphins, and southern right whales (July–November). With over 30 years of experience, Apex’s eco-friendly trips comply with the Marine Living Resources Act, earning a 5-star TripAdvisor rating for ten consecutive years.
We also offer Shark cage diving Gansbaai and kelp forest cape town.
False Bay’s Seal Island, a 25-minute boat ride from Simon’s Town, is a marine hotspot. Our 35 ft. catamaran, White Pointer II, navigates this ecosystem, where bronze whaler sharks (up to 3.5 m) and sevengill sharks are commonly sighted. Great white sightings are sporadic, with Apex reporting no consistent sightings since 2017, aligning with industry trends due to orca predation and fishing impacts. Expect other wildlife, including 3,500 African penguins at Boulders Beach and up to 1,176 southern right whales in season, per Mammal Research Institute’s 2025 survey. Our small groups (max 12 guests) ensure intimate encounters.
Safety is paramount at Apex. White Pointer II is SAMSA-certified, carrying life jackets, first aid kits, and radios. Our galvanized steel cage, certified by a registered engineer, meets DEAT regulations, with no sharp edges to harm sharks. No experience is required for breath-hold diving, and a hookah scuba system is available for certified divers. Children aged 6+ can board and cage dive under adult supervision. Our 100% safety record and crew trained in first aid and shark behavior ensure a secure adventure, per CPA transparency requirements.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Simon’s Town, 45 minutes from Cape Town |
| Meeting | The first launch meets from 06h30 onwards |
| Meeting times may change based on weather and sightings. Final time confirmed the afternoon before your trip. | |
| Transfers | Door-to-door transfers arranged upon request |
| Duration | Half-day trips – 3 to 4 hours at sea |
| Guest Numbers | Maximum of 12 guests |
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Surface Cage | 4 – 5 guests |
| Diving | We use breath-hold or snorkel. No experience needed for either method. Air for certified divers upon request. |
| Age Restrictions | 8 years old to board and 10 years old to cage dive |
| Water Temperature | 53 – 68 ºF – Don’t worry! Our wetsuit will keep you toasty warm. |
| Water Visibility | 7 – 65 feet |
| Videographer | No |
| Includes | Light breakfast, tea/coffee, light lunch, snacks and refreshments |
| Dive Gear | Towel |
| Extras | Educational book |
We’ll arrive early at Seal Island as this is the optimum time to view the sharks actively hunting the Cape Fur seals. Our data indicates that half an hour before sunrise to one and a half hours after sunrise is the best time to witness this natural event. The early bird catches the worm and this most certainly applies at Seal Island.
| Activity / Segment | Details |
|---|---|
| Meet & Greet | Meet at our shark center in Simon’s Town’s Quayside at 07:00 onwards (confirmed the previous afternoon due to weather) |
| Light Breakfast | Enjoy home-baked croissants before boarding White Pointer II. |
| Safety & Weather Briefing | Your skipper and captain will brief you on safety protocols and weather for the day. |
| Boat Ride to Seal Island | A 25–35 minute trip, depending on sea and weather conditions. |
| Shark Behavior Briefing | Learn about shark predatory behavior to help identify hunting activity near Seal Island. |
| Predation Viewing | Watch for Great white shark predations—can last from a few minutes to a couple of hours depending on various conditions. |
| Anchor & Cage Setup | Once predations slow down and based on weather, we anchor and deploy the floating shark cage beside the vessel. |
| Shark Attraction | Sharks are drawn near using bait for identification, viewing, and diving. No sharks are fed or touched. |
| Conservation Efforts | Data collected is used for Great white shark conservation and scientific publications. |
| Ethical Operations | We follow strict codes of ethics, ensuring no harm or contact occurs between the sharks and our vessel. |
| Cage Diving & Viewing | Divers receive a detailed safety briefing. Great whites can often be seen from the boat, making diving optional. |
| Onboard Catering | Gourmet sandwiches (including vegetarian), fresh fruit, juice, mineral water, and snacks are provided throughout the morning. |
| Return to Simon’s Town Harbour | Trip lasts 3–4 hours depending on shark activity and weather. |
| Post-Trip Amenities | Tea and coffee available at our centre. Guests can browse shark merchandise or request access to offsite showers. |
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.
The best time of year for Great White Sharks at Seal Island, False Bay departing Simon’s Town was traditionally mid- June to mid-August.
Historically mid- June to July was the peak season for heightened levels of predation. As winter rolled in the seal colony blossoms, the sharks began to change their behaviour and began actively hunting Cape fur seal pups. These months were the best to view natural predation and breaching events.
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.
| 🦈 Included | 📋 Details |
|---|---|
| 👨🏫 Guided Shark Cage Diving Tour | Led by qualified and passionate shark guides trained specifically for this experience. Learn about sharks and other marine life you may encounter. |
| 📘 Educational Booklet | Receive a beautifully illustrated eBook (or hard copy) covering marine life from apex predators to sea birds. |
| 🥪 Light Meals & Refreshments | Enjoy fresh fruit, home-baked quiches, gourmet sandwiches (e.g., chicken with pecan nuts), vegetarian options (on request), fruit juice, mineral water, and indulgent snacks. All individually packaged in eco-friendly materials. |
| 🤿 Wetsuit & Dive Equipment | Every guest gets a clean, dry wetsuit and personal dive gear. All equipment is disinfected, rinsed, and used by one guest per day only. |
| 🧻 Towel Provided (Optional) | Clean towels are available, but guests are encouraged to bring their own to help reduce laundry and environmental impact. |
We pride ourselves on offering sustainable eco-friendly marine tourism and adventure with conservation, research and education taking place on every shark cage diving tour we are fortunate to operate.
| 📝 What to Bring | 📌 Details |
|---|---|
| 🧥 Dress in Layers | It gets chilly at sea – bring a warm jacket, closed shoes or sneakers, a beanie, and a hat or cap. |
| 🕶️ Polarized Sunglasses | Reduces glare and improves shark sightings. Also protects from harmful UV rays. |
| 🧤 Rash Vest (Optional) | If you’re prone to the cold, a rash vest provides extra insulation. |
| 🧻 Towel | Essential after the dive. |
| 💧 Water Bottle | Stay hydrated throughout your adventure. |
| ☀️💄 Lip-Ice & Sunscreen SPF 50 | The African sun is beautiful but harsh – protect your skin and lips. |
| 📸 Camera / GoPro | Great for capturing the moment! Bring an extra SD card – you’ll need it. |
| 👓 Contact Lenses / Prescription Mask | Contact lenses are ideal. Bring your prescription mask if needed. |
| 💊 Motion Sickness Medication | Take Sturgeon or Dramamine – one the night before, and one an hour before the trip. |
| 🚫 Avoid Alcohol | Don’t overindulge the night before – it can lead to severe seasickness. |
At Apex Shark Expeditions, we strive to offer the best, most professional and sustainable 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 strive to give you an unforgettable experience rather than just a trip!
40% of all Apex Shark Expeditions guests are repeat guests.
Our small group size of 12 guests only, allows us to provide a superior one on one personal service to you, our guest that is unrivalled in the shark cage diving industry.
| 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.
Apex Shark Expeditions is internationally recognised for responsible and safety-driven shark ecotourism. For decades, our founders and team have studied great whites in False Bay, giving us a world-leading understanding of shark behaviour and how to conduct respectful, controlled interactions.
However, it is important to note that over the past eight years, great white sightings across all South African hotspots have become increasingly unpredictable and sporadic. This shift is linked to ecological pressures such as overfishing and rising orca predation, leaving the species critically endangered.
Despite this, Apex remains committed to providing the safest, most ethical shark experience possible, with a deep focus on education, conservation, and marine science.
Apex Shark Expeditions continues to be one of the most respected operators globally, known for world-class guiding, conservation leadership, and transparent communication with guests.
However, because great white sightings can no longer be reliably predicted, we do not currently market or sell a dedicated great white tour. Instead, we offer shark cage diving with the species naturally present at the time, and we maintain our honest approach:
Guests appreciate our integrity, our scientific knowledge, and our commitment to authentic marine experiences.
While Great whites are no longer around, we offer a 3–4-hour shark dive with other sharks at R3,845 per person and include:
• All equipment
• Towels and hot showers onboard
• Light snacks, fresh fruit, chocolates, sweets, and drinks
• Expert interpretation on shark ecology, behaviour, and conservation
At present, we do not offer a tour marketed specifically as a “great white trip”, due to the current unreliability of sightings.
Instead, our trips focus on the species that are naturally and ethically encountered, while educating guests about why great whites have become increasingly rare — and why protecting them matters.
Apex Shark Expeditions does not automatically include transfers, however we offer a convenient add-on for guests who prefer a door-to-dock service, especially for early morning trips.
This applies to all of our shark tours, but again, great white sightings cannot be guaranteed at this time.
Apex is well known for running intentionally small-group excursions, designed to:
• Minimise noise and disruption for sharks
• Improve safety in and around the cage
• Allow meaningful education and interpretation
While great white sightings are currently sporadic, our philosophy ensures the highest-quality experience with whichever species we encounter.
We do not include underwater footage as part of the trip because we prioritise authentic, unmanipulated encounters. Guests are welcome to bring personal cameras, and our respectful approach toward sharks often results in excellent viewing opportunities with the species that are naturally present on the day.
At this stage, we cannot offer photography packages specifically for great whites, due to the current unreliability of sightings.
No responsible operator in South Africa can guarantee great white sightings — and this is truer now than ever.
Great whites have become critically endangered, and sightings across the entire South African coastline have declined sharply due to ecological pressures like overfishing and increased orca activity.
Apex Shark Expeditions continues to have one of the longest and most respected histories with great whites in False Bay, but we choose conservation over sales promises. We openly communicate the state of the species and offer guests an informative, meaningful marine experience, regardless of which sharks appear.
Apex is an excellent choice for beginners because we specialise in education-driven, fear-free experiences.
Guests who are new to shark diving are guided through:
• Shark behaviour and body language
• Safety procedures
• How to enjoy the experience calmly and confidently
This remains true even though great whites can no longer be reliably encountered. We focus on providing a safe, empowering introduction to sharks — including bronze whalers, sevengills, and other species still regularly seen.
Apex Shark Expeditions offers a range of experiences that complement our shark encounters and highlight the rich biodiversity of False Bay:
🐋 Seasonal Shark & Whale Tours
Experience whale sightings during migration while learning about the ecosystem changes affecting great whites.
🌿 Great African Seaforest Snorkel
Explore one of the world’s most spectacular underwater habitats — the Great African Seaforest.
At present, we cannot reliably offer trips focused solely on great whites, but our combined experiences allow guests to appreciate the broader marine ecosystem that great whites once dominated.
It’s a half-day shark cage diving tour in False Bay, departing from Simon’s Town, offering sightings of bronze whaler and sevengill sharks, with very occasional great white encounters, led by Apex Shark Expeditions.
Yes, Apex uses SAMSA-certified boats and galvanized steel cages with a 100% safety record. Children aged 6+ can cage dive under adult supervision.
Great white sightings are rare, with a 90% decline since 2017 due to orca predation and fishing, per Oceans Research Institute. Bronze whaler and sevengill sharks are commonly seen.
Year-round, with winter (June–August) offering better visibility (up to 10 m), though great white sightings are unpredictable. Bronze whalers are active year-round.
Bring a swimsuit, warm jacket, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a GoPro. Apex provides wetsuits, masks, and towels, but bringing your own towel helps reduce environmental impact.
TOMORROW
Tuesday
27 June 2023
Next trip 28 June
11h45
*Trip status updated daily at 16h00 SAST
