Discover alluring False Bay. Take an enchanting ocean exploration with your family. Listen to enthralling curation on the bay and the inhabitants thereof whilst hearing the whistling of dolphins, the powerful blow from a whale, visit famous Seal Island, cage dive with sharks, see endangered birds close up, smell the sea breezeâŚâŚfeel the sky……….YOUâRE ALIVE!
Situated in the Atlantic Ocean between the mountainous Cape Peninsula and the Hottentots Holland mountains, the mouth of the bay faces south and is demarcated by Cape Point to the west and Cape Hangklip to the east. Bartholomeu Diaz, the first European seafarer anchored off the coast of South Africa, described False Bay as “Gulf between the mountains” in 1488.Â
 A lesser-known fact is that False Bay is the gateway to the Marine Big Five – Seals, penguins, sharks, dolphin and whales.
Apex shark expeditions have operated in False bay for over a quarter of a century and have built up an unsurpassed understanding of the wildlife of the Capes oceans. The crew are qualified and trusted guides that are well-connected with local fishing and marine communities which mean instant communication on sightings as they happen. This first line of communication will take you right to the action fast. Â
Your curated voyage of discovery starts in historical Simonâs Town at our marine centre located in the waterfront. Your exact discovery route will be determined by our skippersâ understanding and observation of the environment, the marine activity and the ever changing weather patterns on the day and should include the following.
All marine wildlife will be approached according to the legal distance as required by Marine Living Resources Law
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 â Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. Our equipment meets all the required safety standards and the experience of our crew ensure that youâre 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 animalsâ 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 donât 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 â 30 minutes in the cage
For your own enjoyment of the trip, we recommend that you do not over indulge in alcohol the night before as this may result in being very sea sick the next day.
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 Boat (Max 12 guests) | R 43 560.00 | BOOK NOW |
Return Transfers per person ex Cape Town | R 850.00 | Â |
2025 Price per Boat (Max 12 guests) | R 47 940.00 | QUICK ENQUIRY |
Return Transfers per person ex Cape Town | R 900.00 | Â |
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.
We have won the TripAdvisor Travelersâ Choice Award seven years in a row. Don’t take our word for it! Check our reviews to see why we have consistently been rated the number one shark cage diving company in Cape Town.
The award is the result of consistently great reviews from the people that matter the most â our guests.
Join us in the Mother city to experience her oceans, mountains and her diverse flora and fauna. Our packages are especially for guests who love nature in all her glory, big marine animals, and wide open spaces.
FROM R 6500,00 per person sharing
Your Ocean adventure weekend includes car hire, accommodation and two ocean activities.
Get your adrenalines pumping as you embark on your Curated Ocean Adventure Exploration. Enjoy the big ocean animals and stunning views of the Cape Peninsula from off shore. Divers and snorkelers will have no end of underwater wonders to explore, including sharks, dolphins, penguins, whales and a seal snorkel experience in beautiful Hout Bay. Having a close encounter snorkelling with the Cape Fur Seals of Cape Town as they swim gracefully in their natural environment is incredibly special. The action begins as soon as you enter the water as these furry counterparts swim beside you, often mimicking your movements.
Take a tour through the many museums, Kirstenbosch gardens and national monuments located in the Mother city. Wander through the artisanal markets where you can find artistic curios and experience the laid-back culture of the locals. Then head to one of the many fine dining restaurants for a Cape Malay special.
From R 11 995,00 per person sharing
Your exclusive getaway includes car hire, 4 night accommodation and 4 activities.
Get your adrenalines pumping as you embark on your Curated Ocean Adventure Exploration from Simon’s Town. Enjoy the big ocean animals and stunning views of the Cape Peninsula from off shore.
The next day you’ll drive 3 hours and bit from Cape Town, to the most exclusive sector of De Hoop Nature Reserve to find Lekkerwater Beach Lodge at De Hoop.
Undoubtedly one of the most glorious coastal reserves in Africa, the areaâs extraordinary beauty and blissful seclusion led ex-President FW de Klerk to choose the location for his âCamp David.â The reserve is also famous for some of the best land based whale watching on the planet. Itâs not simply whales either and youâll also spot sizeable pods of dolphin and all sorts of marine life in this â the ultimate, land-based marine safari.
Each of the seven rooms is located right on a six-kilometre stretch of private beach, complete with stunning rock pools and fish life. There are curated walks with experienced naturalists, an array of fynbos to be discovered, a plethora of marine life to be explored, and a rare vulture breeding colony to be spotted (and thatâs without mentioning the whales)
Wind your way back to Cape Town with an overnight tour of the Robertson Wine Valley
The Robertson Wine Valley is fast becoming the new hero of the South African wine producing regions. Long noted for its exceptional sweet dessert wines, the Robertson Wine Valley is now acclaimed world-wide for its exceptional production of outstanding white (especially Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc) and red wines.
Cape Town and surrounds has plenty to offer both locals and tourists, Apart from our action packed ocean and nature lover itineraries, you can go for a scenic drive. The city has some of the most amazing roads, which wind around the mountains and offer stunning sea views. Cheers to the weekend or longer.
The below packages are made up of elements of each other and can be tailored to your specification.
The Robertson Wine Valley is fast becoming the new hero of the South African wine producing regions. Long noted for its exceptional sweet dessert wines, the Robertson Wine Valley is now acclaimed world-wide for its exceptional production of outstanding white (especially Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc) and red wines.
The lime-rich soils and unique climate give the region the natural attributes to produce outstanding wines, coupled with specific planting of grape varieties suitable to the soil. Near to Swellendam, and with the beautiful backdrop of the Langeberg mountain range, this is an exceptionally pleasant area to visit.
The 31 wineries are all situated close to one another, and over two-thirds of them are open to the public. One of the most well-known of the wineries is Graham Beck, whose state-of-the-art cellars and the computerised irrigation systems produce some of the finest white and red wines of the region.
The Robertson Winery is the oldest co-operative in the Valley, and also one of the biggest in the country. The 42 members deliver some 25,000 tons of grapes, to produce 25 million litres of wine. The extensive range has won numerous awards and medals.
Looking for the ultimate escape, contact our experts and book your Ocean Adventure packages today.
The marine activities are weather permitting. Should we need to cancel these activities due to inclement weather, we will replace the activity with a land based tour.
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