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.
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| Prices of 1-day tour: Shark Cage Diving Cape Town |
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Price per person including transfers from Cape Town: from R 2.650
Price per person excluding transfers from Cape Town: from R 2.000
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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.
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 one of the largest, most modern and luxurious boats 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. Although she is licensed to carry a maximum of 30 passengers, we do not take more than 25 clients per tour. This not only ensures maximum comfort, but also ensures maximum cage diving time for all divers. Our boat offers state-of-the-art facilities which includes; sophisticated and securely structured 5-6-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 radios, radar equipment, navigation equipment, depth finder, echo sounder, medical first aid kit, 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 15 years experience working with great 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. All our crew have done SAMSA compliant Fire-Fighters and Life-Raft Courses and 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, at all times.
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.
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How the day is normaly organised:
Pick up at your accommodation will be either between 5 and 6 am or for the late tour between 8 and 9 am. The transfer takes the participants to Gansbaai, about 2 hours drive from Cape Town. At arrival in Gansbaai you will have breakfast and a briefing on the diving procedure. You will get on board the boat at about 8 am or 12 am depending what tour you are on. Time on the water is 4 hours to watch the sharks. Back at shore you will be served lunch and can watch the DVD taken while you were on the boat. Drive back to Cape Town in the afternoon. In total the tour takes approximately 11 hours. Exact timings depend a lot on traffic during transfers, tides, and some other factors.
You do have the possibility to buy the DVD taken of your shark encounter. Price of DVD: starting from R690.
For further queries, or should you wish to book, please do not hesitate to contact us - we will gladly assist you!
Your Shark Cage Diving Team
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05.00 - 06.00 
12.00
