Gansbaai shark cage diving is one of the best-known wildlife experiences in South Africa. The small fishing town in the Overberg, about two hours' drive east of Cape Town, sits beside Dyer Island and Geyser Rock. Dyer Island is home to seabirds including African penguins, and Geyser Rock holds a large colony of Cape fur seals. The narrow channel between them is known as Shark Alley, and boats launch from the harbour at Kleinbaai.
You don't need to be a qualified diver. On most trips you stand in a strong floating cage at the surface, wearing a wetsuit and mask, and hold your breath to duck under as sharks pass. Divers and non-divers share the same boat, which makes it a popular day out for mixed groups.
The honest picture: great whites and orcas
For decades Gansbaai was famous for great white sharks. That changed from 2017, when a pair of orcas began hunting great whites along this coast. After several sharks were killed, great whites largely left the area, and sightings at Gansbaai fell sharply. Some great whites have been seen again since, but no operator can promise one.
Today, the shark you are most likely to see is the bronze whaler, also called the copper shark: a sleek, powerful shark that often comes close to the cage. Many trips also see seals, penguins, dolphins and, in season, southern right whales. Go for the experience of the ocean rather than one species, and you won't be disappointed.
What a trip is like
Briefing
Trips usually start with a briefing on land about the sharks, the boat and the cage rules.
The boat ride
A short ride out to the channel. The sea here can be rough, so take seasickness tablets before you board if you need them.
Waiting and watching
The crew uses bait or a decoy to attract sharks to the boat. Expect waiting time; the sharks decide when to show up.
In the cage
Small groups take turns in the cage. Wetsuits and masks are usually supplied. Keep your hands and feet inside the bars at all times.
Choosing a responsible operator
Shark cage diving in South Africa is run under government permits, which limit the number of operators and set rules on baiting. Choose a permitted operator that gives a proper briefing, keeps group sizes small, and doesn't touch or feed the sharks. Operators that also support research and conservation work tend to give the best explanations of what you are seeing.
When to go
Trips run all year, but the weather decides each day. Boats only go out when the sea and wind allow, so cancellations are common, especially when winter cold fronts pass through. Book for early in your stay so there is time to rebook if your trip is called off, and keep a flexible day in reserve. Mornings are often calmer than afternoons. From about June to November, southern right whales gather along this part of the coast to calve, so a winter or spring trip can add whales to the day. Summer brings longer days and usually warmer air, but the water stays cold all year. For how this fits with diving elsewhere on the coast, see the best time to dive in South Africa.
Diving nearby
Gansbaai itself is mostly about the cage trip. For scuba diving, head back to the Cape Peninsula for False Bay kelp forest diving, or east along the Garden Route to Mossel Bay. Hermanus, a short drive away, is one of the best land-based whale-watching spots in the world from about June to November.
What to bring
Bring warm clothes and a windproof jacket for the boat, sunscreen, a towel and a change of clothes. The water is cold, as you'll read in our water temperature and wetsuit guide, so a hood helps if one is offered. For general advice on boat trips, travel insurance and getting around, read South Africa dive travel safety.
Questions divers ask
Will I see a great white shark at Gansbaai?
It is possible but not likely. Great white sightings dropped sharply after orcas began hunting them in 2017. Bronze whalers are the shark most trips see now.
Do I need to be a certified diver for cage diving?
No. Most trips use a surface cage where you hold your breath to look underwater. You just need to be comfortable in the water.
Is shark cage diving safe?
With a permitted operator and the crew's rules followed, it is very safe. Keep your hands inside the cage and listen to the briefing.
