Shark Cage Diving: Ultimate Thrill in Gansbaai

Experience the ultimate heart-pounding adventure with shark cage diving in Gansbaai. Learn about sharks from marine experts and enjoy hotel pick-up and drop-off from Cape Town.

Duration: 10 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary - Visiting the African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary offers an inspiring and educational experience. Visitors can observe rescued penguins receiving care through a dedicated viewing window, gain insights into the challenges confronting local seabirds, and witness the crucial conservation efforts that are…
What's Included
  • Professional guide
  • All diving gear and towels supplied
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Breakfast
  • Light refreshments
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Do you consider yourself an adrenaline junkie? Test your mettle with the ultimate experience that will send your heart racing - cage diving with different species of sharks in Gansbaai. This all-day shark dive adventure transports you into the open sea off the Gansbaai coast and immerses you in the sharks’ environment. Prior to your plunge, an onboard…

Location
African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary
Geelbek Street, Van Dyks Bay
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.5
(593 Ratings)
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Melissa_b
Oct 19, 2025
Shark - There will be NO great whites but still an amazing trip. Saw lots of sharks, a sting ray, whales & seals
Review provided by Viator
Rick
Oct 16, 2025
Amazing experience, great tour operator! 🦈🐋🦭🐧🫶🏽👌🏽 - 5 well earned stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ What a friendly, welcoming, professional top organization. You made our day more than amazing! 🙏🏽 After a good breakfast and clear briefing our stuff received from the very helpful staff. Seen a lot of sharks but also spotted a very large stingray, sea lion and even a whale up close! What an amazing experience! Finally a penguin adopted with a house, for your fantastic work! Thank you guys so much! 🫶🏽🙏🏽 Rick & Denise
Review provided by Tripadvisor
744douglasa
Sep 28, 2025
A Lot of Fun, but Nature is in Charge! - The tour picked me up at 6:30 AM from my hotel (Capital Mirage in Cape Town), then a couple of other people at other hotels. On this trip, everyone spoke English. The trip to the launch point took around 2 hours, and it was a nice ride, watching the sunrise and seeing the countryside and wineries along the way. We stopped by a penguin rehabilitation center for about 15 minutes for a quick explanation of the agency's purpose (and a request for donations). When we got to the tour center, we were joined with other people and all of us were directed upstairs to a buffet continental breakfast- breads & pastries, cold meats, cheeses, fruits, fruit juices and hot beverages. We watched a video explaining safety guidelines. Back outside, staff issued rain coats and led us on a 5 minute walk to the marina. The 2-story boat was modest sized, and everyone sat on benches along the sides of the deck. The trip on water to the diving point took 30-45 minutes. Once anchored, staff issued each passengers a wet suit, and we all undressed and re-dressed. Staff secured an aluminum cage along one side of the boat. "Diving" involved passengers taking turns entering the cage and immersing into the water. The cage seemed about 8-feet deep (six of those were under water), three-feet wide, and 10-feet long. The cage had ladder-steps facing front, so when we entered the cage, we held ourselves up, heads out of water, until ready to go under. As we entered the cage, we each got a SCUBA mask, but no snorkel. So, one stayed under water as long as you could hold your breath. Staff chummed the water on one side of the cage with fish guts infused with fish oil, while two other staff each threw into the water a big fish carcus attached to a hook and rope then pulled it back in toward the cage, over and over. Everyone got into the cage at least once. There was no time-limit on how long one could stay in, but no one was impolite about time. Staff took pictures of individual divers, and the animals and area around the boat. On this day, 9/1/25, the waters were cold and choppy, and the wind was pretty bad. At least half of us got seasick, including myself- my experience in the cage was about 10 minutes until I threw up. Everyone was good natured about it, though. When staff saw someone looking green, they offered mint, ginger, medications, and liquids. The anchored experience lasted about an hour. We did get to see a lot of copper sharks, a stingray, a seal, and, while we motored from the marina, a whale. Seagulls followed us to and from the marina, and fought for chunks of fish that floated in the water. Everyone changed back into their clothes after their turn in the cage. The ride back was as bumpy as the ride there but, again, no one complained. Back on shore, staff invited us to some vegetable soup and liquids. The place had an extensive souvenir shop. Visitors were invited to support the research agency run through the tour with sponsorships at various levels. The van took us back to our hotels without stopping. I'm glad I went and I had a lot of fun. I won't hold the tour responsible for the waves and weather- we were in Nature's pool after all. The only possible downside is that the tour cannot promise that a shark will be sited. If no shark comes around, then visitors are offered a voucher for another tour on another day at no cost. If the experience sites just one shark, however, then the experience is considered successful and no vouchers are offered
Review provided by Tripadvisor
D5132dsjanem
Sep 26, 2025
Fantastic - Absolutely fantastic. An early pickup with a friendly driver. Breakfast was great and a talk on sharks before the short boat ride. Plenty of time in the water seeing over 20 sharks and a couple of rays. Even joined by a cheeky seal after the sharks left. Back to the centre for some warming soup and then the journey back to our hotel. Such a brilliant experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sue_e
Sep 20, 2025
Clockwaork precision - The whole process ran like clockwork. Could not fault the service and it was a great experience. FRiendly and informative staff
Review provided by Viator
Leilah_h
Aug 31, 2025
Excellent! - An incredible experience with a great company. We had a lovely time and saw many sharks and stingrays. So worth it
Review provided by Viator
Leilah_hillman
Aug 31, 2025
Fantastic!!! - Such a professional company that really takes care of their clients. We saw lots of sharks and had a great experience! Dyer Island and Shark Alley were also highlights! The staff were amazing!!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
269jasmins
Aug 12, 2025
Great experience!!! - I went shark cage diving on August 11, 2025 and it was a great time. Yes, the adventure is not quite cheap, but all the equipment etc also costs a lot. The crew took very good care and everything was well organized. We have seen different animal species, but especially copper sharks. It was a great experience to get so close to her. The water was fresh, of course, but I would have loved to stay in it all day. Also the pickup in Captown worked great. And on the way back, the driver showed us whales and monkeys. Thanks to the whole team!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mustafa
Sep 5, 2025
Great experience with false advertisement - The whole organisation is great from the pick up to the drop off, however realising that the Great White Shark is unlikely to be sighted was a big disappointment.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mark
Sep 30, 2025
Excellent Operation, Poor Timing - I can't rate it higher than a 3 because we saw ZERO sharks. Three people got in the water after a 90 minute wait to view a large stingray. Also, we saw 3 pass of whales at a distance during the tour. The water temp was 15 which precluded shark activity according to the marine biologist on the staff. The entire crew, staff, and operation are first class but the total experience was a frigid, 3 hour+ boat trip to shark alley to view seals. Perhaps a different time of year would be better.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $256
up to 9 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).