The deep blue waters of False Bay are intoxicating. You scan the depths and watch the waves as you head out for shark cage diving Cape Town. In every sharky location, a diverse abundance of wildlife surrounds, Southern Right whales exhaling through their blowholes, comedic African Penguins, and thousand-strong pods of Common Dolphins patrolling for schools of fish. Yet the species you yearn to see most are mostly solitary; evolutionary masterpieces perfectly adapted to their habitat. Without warning – a movement catches your eye, the faintest shimmer, the merest glint of white teeth, and an agile, powerful body. Could it be? You have waited so long to see one……
The shark species found in these waters include the Bronze Whaler shark, the Seven-gill shark, the Blue and Mako shark, with the occasional sighting of a Great white shark. No matter the species – your perspective will have changed forever, way beyond your wildest imagination.
We see a variety of shark species throughout the year according to the seasons, weather, water temperature and other factors. Trips are confirmed dependent on weather and not species dependent. We also offer kelp forest diving Cape Town.
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 sharks in the waters of the Western Cape. She complies with all safety requirements and 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 the Marine and Coastal Management DFFE – Department of Forest and Fisheries. Our equipment meets all the required safety standards and the experience of our crew ensures 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 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, divers and non-divers pay the same price for the shark trip.
When making a booking for shark cage diving in Cape Town, South Africa, it is important to have you have realistic expectations.
If you want to see a specific shark, we’ll happily advise you on the best times to book for the best chance of seeing that shark species.
By being flexible, you have the best chance of great shark interactions rather than just a fleeting glimpse, if we only offered just one species. All of the species we focus on are large, powerful, and active predators sure to give you an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Seen all year round by our shark cage diving boats, the Bronze Whaler shark is a large and powerful predator. Reaching 3.3 meters (11 feet) and weighing about 305 kilograms (672 lbs.) this is a fast-moving shark.
They are known to be somewhat aggressive to humans when they sense food or prey close by. And though they usually remain solitary, these sharks will often form groups to hunt prey more effectively.
They eat cephalopods like squid, cuttlefish, octopus, bony fish like catfish, salmon, tuna, sardines, anchovies, cartilaginous fish like dogfish sharks, stingrays, skates, electric rays, and sawfish.
They don’t typically hunt marine mammals, but they will feed on a dolphin carcass. The South African population follows the famous Sardine Run every winter. This prey gathers in their millions and as a result, they attract a variety of predators including many species of shark.
In such cases where prey is abundant, these sharks will form groups and herd the sardines into a tight bait ball. They then take turns swimming through these balls with their mouths open to feed.
Though the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the Bronze whaler as Near Threatened worldwide, their conservation status still varies depending on the specific locality.
Over the last 7 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 shark diving boat. Currently, we and any other operator cannot confidently offer a great white shark tour.
Remember this is a guideline only and that sightings on any trip can never be guaranteed – we’re sure you’ll appreciate that working with sharks is as wild as it gets!
The day before confirmation and shark species will depend on weather conditions. All trips are confirmed weather-dependent and are not shark species-dependent.
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.
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 to long after your experience. 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/ Child |
From R 3630.00 High season rates apply |
BOOK NOW and receive a complementary aluminum water bottle valued at R 250.00. |
Return Transfers per person ex Cape Town | R 850.00 | BOOK NOW |
22 December 2025 Price per Adult | From R 3995.00 High season rates apply |
QUICK ENQUIRY |
Return Transfers per person ex Cape Town | R 900.00 | QUICK ENQUIRY |
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 shark.
If no sharks are seen, a voucher for a FREE return trip is issued
We have won the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award nine 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 — our guests.
We offer the best of the best shark cage diving trips in various locations, the most popular being Cape Town and Gansbaai.
To make it easier to choose the location that best suits your requirements, we have listed the differences.
Wildlife Sightings Cannot Be Guaranteed.
We Will However, Give You Realistic Expectations before Making A Booking.
How does shark cage diving in Cape Town differ from other locations, and what makes it such a unique experience?
Shark cage diving in Cape Town is a unique experience due to the diverse species of sharks that can be encountered in the waters such as bronze whaler sharks, seven-gill, mako and blue sharks. Another unique aspect of shark cage diving in Cape Town is the location of the dive site, which is close to Seal Island. Seal Island is home to 65 000 cape fur seals, and should weather and time allow, a tour around the island after the shark cage diving trip completes the diversity of marine life one can see on a shark tour.
What is the typical duration of a shark cage diving excursion in Cape Town, and how many people are usually on the boat?
The duration of a shark cage diving tour can vary depending on the tour operator and the location of the dive site. Most tours typically last between 3-4 hours from start to finish, including travel time to and from the dive site. The number of people on the boat can also vary depending on the size of the boat and the tour operator. Most boats used for shark cage diving can accommodate between 20-40 people. However, some operators, like Apex Shark Expeditions host small groups for an intimate experience with fewer participants.
How does shark cage diving in Cape Town contribute to shark conservation efforts, and how can I support these efforts while participating in this activity?
Shark cage diving in Cape Town contributes to shark conservation in several ways. Firstly, it helps to promote awareness about the importance of sharks in the ocean by allowing people to witness these animals in their natural habitat and appreciate their beauty and importance within the ocean ecosystem. Additionally, Apex records data on the sharks and the environment on every trip we do. This information is provided to the scientific community for research which leads to shark conservation.
If you are interested in supporting shark conservation efforts while participating in shark cage diving in Cape Town, here are a few things you can do:
By taking these actions, you can help contribute to shark conservation efforts while enjoying the thrilling experience of shark cage diving in Cape Town.
What should I wear and bring with me for a shark cage diving tour in Cape Town?
How safe is shark cage diving in Cape Town, and what precautions are taken to ensure the safety of participants?
Shark cage diving in Cape Town is a safe activity as it is conducted responsibly and with safety measures in place. Most tour operators follow strict safety protocols to ensure that participants have a safe and enjoyable experience. Here are some precautions that are typically taken to ensure the safety of participants:
It’s now or never!
TOMORROW
Tuesday
27 June 2023
Next trip 28 June
11h45
*Trip status updated daily at 16h00 SAST