The First Choice Shark Cage Diving Operator For:
Join Apex Shark Expeditions in Gansbaai, the Great White Shark Capital, for an unforgettable shark diving adventure. Book your eco-friendly cage diving tour today and encounter bronze whaler sharks, seven gill cow sharks, and the occasional great white shark.
Apex Shark Expeditions has been South Africa’s premier shark diving operator for nearly 30 years. The team includes renowned marine biologists and photographers, ensuring expert insights and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Our 100% safety record, eco-friendly practices, and TripAdvisor’s top ratings make us the top choice for shark cage diving in Gansbaai.
You step into the cage, acclimatising to the surroundings, peering through the steel bars into the deep blue for the hint of a shadow. This is it – the moment you have been waiting for all your life. The prospect of coming face to face with the razor-sharp teeth of a shark sends shivers down your spine. You control your breathing, fighting both anticipation and trepidation, scanning the blue, pleading for its arrival, watching the bait fish scatter as a shadow slowly materialises. The sharks approach is measured, cautious, totally befitting an apex predator of such incredible majesty, and wholly contrary to the sensationalist clips on TV.
The commercial hub of shark diving with eight operators working in the area, choosing the best company can be confusing, and this is where we can assist you – by booking the most reputable operator that offers an environmentally-friendly and educational experience. Your trip will be hosted by a marine biologist, plus other experienced guides, ensuring you receive a fascinating insight into these wonderful animals. And should you wish to capture the whole experience on video, an experienced videographer accompanies the trip and can capture your most cherished of memories at a minimal cost.
Whilst the diversity of species make the sharks of Cape Town a must-do, shark cage diving in Gansbaai is a good option if you are staying in Hermanus. We also offer shark cage diving Simon’s Town and shark cage diving Mossel bay.
Shark cage diving in Gansbaai with Apex is a bucket-list adventure, bringing you face-to-face with , bronze whalers, seven gill sharks, and great white sharks close to the world-renowned Shark Alley. No diving experience is needed—our 8-hour tours include road travel time from Cape Town, light breakfast, a safety briefing, 2- 3 hours on th water, and 20 – 30 minutes in a galvanized cage certified by structural engineer and SAMSA regulations. Expect exhilarating moments as sharks glide past, with our marine biologists sharing insights into their behavior.
All itineraries are subject to change and are based on tides, weather and sea conditions as well as how many departures are scheduled for the day.
Safety is paramount. The shark cages are constructed with 12mm galvanized steel, certified annually by a registered engineer, and comply with DFFE’s code of conduct and SAMSA regulations. The vessel, Slashfin, is custom designed for stability and safety, inspected yearly, and equipped with all required safety gear. With a 100% safety record and a qualified dive master supervising every dive, you’re in trusted hands.
As a response to ethical concerns voiced in research on the implications of cage diving in 2023, we deploy eco-friendly bait and soft decoys to safeguard sharks.
The data collection contributes to global shark population studies, with South Africa hosting 111 shark species, per a 2021 study by David Ebert. We advocate for bronze whaler protection, as noted by Marine Dynamics.
In a world where sharks are in danger from both orcas and climate change, our eco-friendly trips are making a difference in how people see these animals.
Beyond sharks, Gansbaai’s waters teem with Cape fur seals, African penguins, Cape gannets, and whales (Southern Right and Humpback, July-November). Post-dive, explore the Overberg’s wine routes, just 45 minutes away. Gansbaai’ s coastal trails and De Kelder’s cliffs offer scenic add-ons for your adventure.
The boat that we use for Gansbaai shark tours is the first of its kind. Designed specifically for shark cage diving, she is built for stability, speed, safety and comfort. The vessel can comfortably accommodate 40 passengers however trips are usually limited to 35 plus crew.
Facilities include designated toilets for males and females; a staircase on either side of the boat provides easy access and a smooth flow of traffic to the upper viewing deck.
A securely designed steel cage is used, which floats on the surface, with divers no more than 1m below the surface. The cage accommodates 8 – 9 guests on a rotational basis. All dives are breath-hold which is comfortable and safe – no experience required!
There are mainly two species of sharks that we cage dive with, the bronze whaler shark aka copper shark and the seven gill shark.
Great white shark sightings in both Gansbaai and False Bay have been well below normal in the past couple of years with sightings of these rare animals unpredictable and sporadic. The Bronze Whaler sharks can attain a length to 3.5 meters. The sleek body has a bronze-grey sheen dorsally with an off-white underside and is slightly arched above the gills.
Other wildlife species such as Cape Gannets, Cape Cormorants, African Penguins and Whales (July to November) are also likely to be sighted.
We pride ourselves on offering sustainable eco-friendly marine tourism and adventure with conservation, research and education taking place on every tour we are fortunate to operate.
| 2025 Price Per Adult | R 3995.00 | BOOK NOW |
| 2025 Price Per child (u/12) | R 2035.00 | |
| 2026 Price Per Adult | R 4400.00 | BOOK NOW |
| 2026 Price Per child (u/12) | R 2240.00 | |
Kids under 5 free of charge! When choosing which Shark Cage Diving operator to use, keep in mind that Great White Sharks are endangered and that YOUR CHOICE DOES MAKES A DIFFERENCE! Includes a free visit to the African Penguin Sanctuary. If no sharks are seen , a voucher for a FREE return trip is issued | ||
BECAUSE YOUR CHOICE MAKES A DIFFERENCE!
Wildlife Sightings Cannot Be Guaranteed.
We Will However, Give You Realistic Expectations before Making A Booking.
During a shark cage diving experience in Gansbaai, you can expect to be taken out to sea in a specialized boat equipped with a cage that will be lowered into the water. Once in the cage, you will be able to observe the sharks up close as they swim around the boat. The cage is designed to keep you safe, and the operators will provide you with all necessary safety equipment and instructions.
The best time of year for shark cage diving in Gansbaai is winter although it’s possible to cage dive all year round. The cooler water temperatures in winter attract large numbers of sharks to the area with water visibility increasing. It's important to note that weather and sea conditions can sometimes affect the water visibility in the summer months on your shark cage diving excursion.
While shark cage diving is generally considered safe, it is important to choose a reputable and experienced shark cage diving operator in Gansbaai that follows strict safety guidelines. The cage used for diving is designed to keep people safe by providing a physical barrier between them and the sharks. Additionally, the operators of these tours typically have many years of experience and are trained to handle any potential risks. However, like any adventure activity, there is always an inherent risk involved, and participants should follow all safety instructions provided by the operator to minimize any potential risks.
The main species of shark that can be seen while shark cage diving in Gansbaai is the bronze whaler shark, which is known to inhabit the inshore waters. Occasional, we see the Great White sharks which grow up to 5 meters in length, making them a thrilling sight to see up close. It's also possible to see other species of sharks in the area, including the seven-gill shark. While these sharks are not as well-known as Great White sharks, they can also be impressive to see in their natural habitat.
A typical shark cage diving excursion in Gansbaai can last between 6- 8 hours, depending on the operator and weather conditions. This includes transportation to and from the dive site from Cape Town (6 hours), a safety briefing, and time spent on the water in the shark cage. The actual time spent in the cage can vary, with each operator having their own policy on the amount of time spent in the water. However, it's important to note that the time spent in the cage is usually dependent on the number of people on the boat and the shark activity.
Yes, the cages are 12mm galvanized steel, certified by engineers, and comply with DFFE and SAMSA regulations. The 100% safety record and experienced crew ensure your safety.
No experience is required. The breath-hold dives are beginner-friendly, with full guidance from the dive masters.
Great white sightings are sporadic and random, and we cannot confidently offer a great white shark trip, instead, we are seeing bronze whaler sharks consistently, and this is the shark one is most likely to see.
Dress in layers, and bring a windbreaker jacket, beanie, polarized sunglasses, and seasickness tablets. We provide wetsuits, masks, and towels.
June to September offers the best visibility and shark activity, though tours run year-round, weather permitting.
We prioritize shark welfare with soft decoys and eco-friendly bait. Our tours fund conservation research, unlike harmful practices noted in some operations.
Tours depend on sea conditions. If unsafe, we reschedule or issue a voucher.
Children are welcome aboard, making it a family-friendly adventure.
TOMORROW
Tuesday
27 June 2023
Next trip 28 June
11h45
*Trip status updated daily at 16h00 SAST
