White Shark Cage Diving & Viewing Tours

White Shark Ecoventures (established 1992) offers daily shark diving/sighting tours (weather permitting) off Gansbaai, a mere stone-throw away from the most southern tip of the African Continent. Approx. 12km offshore from Gansbaai (2hrs drive from Cape Town) we find two islands situated next to each other. Due to a number of geographical reasons - one being the shallow and narrow channel that runs between these two islands - Dyer Island has become known as one of only two unique areas in the world, where the chances to view the great white shark, rises exceptionally high. A colony of approximately 40000 Cape Fur Seals inhabit the smaller Island (Geyser Rock). Other wildlife species such as Cape Gannets, Cape Cormorants, African Penguins, whales and dolphins are also likely to be sighted.

Once anchored in the channel, we make use of a securely designed 6-man steel cage, which floats on the surface, with divers no more than 1m below the surface. Experienced divers are able to dive on scuba while inexperienced divers are able to enjoy the same experience on snorkel. Snorkeling is equally comfortable and safe.

White sharks are indeed surface feeders, providing brilliant surface viewing from the safety of the shark-viewing deck of the boat. Our shark handlers are trained to bring the sharks close-up against the side of the boat, with the head and the jaws clearly visible.

We are in possession of a valid White Shark Cage Diving Operators Permit (issued by government), enabling us to work within the Dyer Island nature reserve area (copy of permit available upon request). Only long-standing operators who are in compliance with certain safety regulations and code of conduct, are entitled to this permit. All our facilities are closely inspected by authorities on an annual basis, ensuring maximum safety for all our guests.

We have just acquired the largest, most modern and luxurious boat available in the shark diving industry. Megalodon II is a newly built stable catamaran, measuring 11 x 3.8 meters and therefore offering the ultimate stability at sea. She undertook her first shark diving tour on the 1st of July 2005 and although she can accommodate 50 SEATED passengers, we had her licensed for a maximum of 30 passengers only. This ensures plenty of extra room and maximum cage diving time for all divers. Our boat offers state-of-the-art facilities which includes; sophisticated and securely structured 6-man steel cage, spacious cabin, large upper shark-viewing deck, sunbathing area, private lockable toilet, fresh water showers, private restroom with bed, fresh drinking water, wet deck and separate dry-deck for maximum comfort. She is fully licensed to SA safety standards and is equipped with 2 radio's, radar equipment, navigation equipment, depth finder, echo sounder, medical first aid kit (including oxygen an fluid replacement), current safety equipment, life vests for all passengers and a 50-man life raft. Our boat, cage and life raft are inspected on an annual basis, ensuring maximum safety for all our passengers

We own 2 luxurious Mercedes Sprinter shuttle busses (15 and 21 seater), fully equipped with air-conditioning, PA system and CD player. We have more than adequate Insurance Cover which includes; R20 million Public Liability, R20 million Passenger Liability on each bus, R5 million Passenger liability on our boat and Personal Accident Insurance on all our bus drivers. We hold valid Road Carrier Permits on our busses, and our drivers are all Public Drivers Permit holders.

Each crew member is highly qualified in his/her specific field and together have more than 12 years experience with the white sharks. Crew qualifications consist of; A1 (1) commercially licensed skippers, level 3 Medics; Satour Registered specialised tour guides; Dive Masters and qualified shark handlers. Our skippers are licensed with ICASA (Independent Commission Authority of SA as well as SAMSA (SA Maritime and Safety Authority. A step-by-step emergency flow chart is available inside the cabin of our vessel.

Capture this once-in-a-lifetime personal experience on film and take it home to show to your friends and family. We offer the services of a professional underwater videographer who is highly experienced in this field. Your personal experience will be captured on a high quality video / DVD (above and underwater) and a copy will be made available to you after the tour at a minimal cost.

We offer the following items on sale; underwater disposable camera’s, T-Shirts, P-Caps, Wine, Video’s, DVD’s etc. Please ask your tour guide on the day of the tour.

Shark Cage Diving

Getting into the cage with the sharks around, is truly the most breath-taking experience you will ever live to remember. When feeding actively around the boat, the sharks may occasionally brush their tail against the cage, but NEVER attack the cage. They are very curious though and often come close-up to the cage, taking a closer look at the diver. A personal, eye-to-eye encounter with this awesome animal, is guaranteed to get the adrenaline going!

Our cage is situated next to the side of the boat and once ready to take the dive, our Dive Master would assist the diver into the opening at the top of the cage. Once in position, the divers head would be no more than half a meter below the surface. A free-board of approx. 30cm allows the diver to rise to the surface and effectively communicate with the Dive Master on the boat. Snorkelers would secure themselves by holding onto the convenient cross bars, situated at the top of the cage.

Diving takes place on a quick and effective rotational system, with 5 to 6 divers down at a time. Once the rotation is completed it will be repeated, therefore ensuring that each diver can take as many dives as possible. Time spent in the cage depends on weather/water conditions, shark activity and eagerness of each diver, but is usually approx. 15 minutes at a time. We rarely have more than 18 divers on board at a time, ensuring maximum cage diving time for all divers and snorkelers.

Scuba versus Snorkeling

A scuba certification is not a necessity to be able to dive in the cage, as we also allow snorkeling. While certified scuba divers dive on scuba, inexperienced divers are able to enjoy the same experience on snorkel. Both methods are equally comfortable and takes place under strict supervision of our Dive Master.

When does snorkeling / scuba diving take place?

Diving is not always guaranteed since we work 10 km out at sea and only know what the shark activity and sea conditions are like once we arrive at the dive site. We are, however, able to continue with diving 95% of the time. It is also known that during certain seasons we encounter sharks that are very cautious and are therefore easily frightened by sound, such as the sound of scuba breathing equipment. To avoid scaring the sharks off as soon as they arrive at the boat, we often commence the diving on snorkel. Should the sharks become more relaxed and confident with having the divers around, we will then switch to scuba. However, diving on scuba is not guaranteed as it all depends on the types of sharks we encounter on each particular tour. It is obviously better to view sharks from the cage on snorkel, than not to get to see the sharks at all.

(Rates apply to divers and non-divers)
Rates are valid until the end of September 2009

Tour Offers

For the very best opportunity to successfully view and dive with the great whites at “Shark Alley”, multiple day packages during months April to October, is highly recommended.

SELF DRIVE PACKAGES

As there are no public transportation available in Gansbaai, self drive packages are recommended , whenever you intend to overnight in Gansbaai. This will also allow you more flexibility and freedom to explore nearby places of interest along this beautiful coastline, at your own leisure (in between the shark tours). You will also be assured of easy transportation between your guest house, various restaurants, grocery stores, the harbour etc. We therefore strongly advise that you hire a car upon arrival at Cape Town International airport, where there is a 24hr car rental service available. Detailed directions will be supplied to you prior to your departure, ensuring that you know exactly how to get to your destination from the airport. PLEASE NOTE : When converting your self–drive package so that it includes our daily transfers, you will automatically forfeit 1 night’s accommodation in Gansbaai. This is due to the fact that we return to Cape Town directly after the last day’s tour, and you will therefore no longer require accommodation on the last night. Please deduct 1 night’s accommodation off the package price.

TRANSFER OPTION

We appreciate the fact that you are coming to a foreign country and may not be comfortable with a self-drive option. We therefore do offer transfer option on the above packages – please ask us about these rates.

TRANSFERS ON PACKAGE TOURS

Please note that our shuttle from Cape Town to Gansbaai only runs on days when the weather allows the shark diving tour to go ahead. Should you be booked on a multiple day package tour which includes our return transfers, you will only be transported to your accommodation in Gansbaai if and when the tour is scheduled to go ahead. Should the weather not allow us to go ahead on day 1 of your tour, our shuttle will not run to Gansbaai and your first night’s accommodation in Gansbaai would therefore be cancelled and deducted off your total tour price. This means that you would have to arrange an alternative night/s accommodation in Cape Town, until the weather allows us to go ahead.

ACCOMMODATION – STANDARD

UPMARKET B+B OVERLOOKING WALKER BAY, WITH BREATH TAKING SEA VIEWS. THIS ACCOMMODATION IS INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE QUOTED PACKAGES.

An additional R175.00 p/p, p/night would be applicable for a single supplement.

This centrally situated B+B, overlooks an unspoiled traditional fishing harbour and is centrally situated in the heart of Gansbaai. Watch the waves break on the rocks from your own private veranda, with extensive sea views across the bay to Hermanus and Cape Point. Facilities include an A’ la Carte Restaurant, fully licensed bar, Bureau de Change, fax facilities and plenty more. All suites have DSTV, Telephones, workstations with Internet connections, electric blankets, overhead fans, heaters, radio alarm clocks, comfortable lounges in each suite, private view verandahs/patios, tea & coffee making facilities. The B+B also offers a laundry service and all rooms are fully serviced daily. True South African hospitality at it’s absolute best. Standard suites are non sea-facing.

ACCOMMODATION – LUXURIOUS

THE SAME B+B AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, EXCEPT IT IS SEA-FACING.

An additional R375.00 p/p p/night sharing for this option, plus an additional R225.00 p/p p/night for a single supplement.

BEST SEASON

Our tours run each and every day of the year, as Dyer Island is a good place to see the sharks all year round. The absolute best season is probably in our winter months, when sharks are particularly active in their feeding pattern. The following guide-line is based on tours we have done over the past 8 years and months may overlap slightly.

PEAK SEASON	APRIL to OCTOBER	99% success rate HIGHLY RECOMMENDED*
HIGH SEASON	NOV. and DEC.	(90 – 99% success rate)
INTERM. SEASON	JAN to MARCH	(80 – 90% success rate)

Water temperatures vary between 16 and 20 degrees celsius during our high season, and between 10 and 16 degrees celsius during our intermediate and low seasons.

WHAT TO BRING

Towel, warm weather proof clothing, sunscreen and hat, camera and binoculars, sea-sick tablets and dive card.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Tour cancellation must take place at least 24 hrs prior to tour departure time. Should the client cancel their tour less than 24 hrs prior to tour departure time from Cape Town, a 100% cancellation fee will be applicable. Should the client not arrive for their tour (“No Show”), a 100% cancellation fee would be applicable. Thorough weather checks are done prior to any trip. Should inclement weather prevent us from proceeding with the trip on any particular day, the clients would be informed and an alternative date would be negotiated or an entire refund would be given. Should the clients and White Shark Ecoventures’ team find themselves in Gansbaai already (based upon a good weather prediction) and sudden strong winds pick up, preventing the boat from being put to sea and to ensure the safety of our passengers, 10% of the price will be retained for meals, stand-by and preparation costs. i.e. an 90% refund would be given (transport costs of R250.00 is separate and payable in full). However, a 10% discount would be offered on the day the trip is actually taken (valid for a 2 year period). Should strong winds pick up whilst out at sea and return to shore is required for the safety of passengers and crew, a refund will not be applicable. Credit card payments (VISA / MASTER / AMEX) are accepted at an additional 3.5% surcharge fee. We are dealing with wild animals and sightings are therefore not guaranteed. Refunds will therefore not be considered in the event of non-sightings, however, a second tour will be offered at a discounted rate. Due to variable weather conditions and shark activity, diving may not always be possible and is therefore not guaranteed. The boat tour we offer consists of approx. 4 hours at sea. Should it be required, White Shark Ecoventures reserves the right to run more than one tour per day, of approx. 4 hours at sea. Time related itinerary’s and collection times are dependent on tides, weather conditions and the amount of tours we have scheduled on that particular day. Exact collection times are therefore only available after 16h00 the day prior to the tour, and may vary between 4.30 and 11.30 am daily. Should our vessel be out of the water for a certain period (due to maintenance or any other reason), we will continue to run our tours by chartering another vessel (also adequately registered for shark cage diving).

Click here for our preferred accommodation in the Hermanus area.