Dyer Island is home to incredible marine bird life. Next to Dyer Island lies Geyser Rock, which houses a large colony of Cape Fur seals. The remains of old wrecks have found their way to rest on the "The Rock”. Between these islands lies “Shark Alley”, where the ocean's apex predator feeds. The grace and mystery of the awesome Great White Shark has drawn visitors from across the world, as Gansbaai is one of the few places left in the world where one can still cage-dive with these fantastic creatures!

We deal with top internationally acclaimed boat based diving operators and marine conservationists in the area and can therefore negotiate excellent packages for divers and dive tour groups.

Photos by Inigo Fajardo

THE GREAT WHITE SHARK DIVING EXPERIENCE:

Great White Sharks are like any other wild animal. They Live in a natural and complex marine environment. Whilst the shark operators that we deal with are highly experienced in the shark diving industry and will do their very best to attract sharks to the boat for you, there can be no guarantee of shark sightings.

WHAT DOES A GREAT WHITE SHARK DIVING EXPERIENCE CONSIST OF?

Boats usually launch between 08h00 and 10h00 in the morning, but may launch earlier or later depending on the tides for the day. The boat usually remains at sea for 4 to 6 hours.

Once the boat is launched, areas where sharks are most prolific take between 15 to 30 minutes to reach depending on the area of most sightings for the day. The sea around the boat is "chummed" with fish and "cookies" to attract the sharks. The cage is lowered into to sea, final preparations for the shark dive are made. You then settle down to enjoy watching and diving with these incredibly gracefully, awesome creatures!

A qualified and highly experienced Dive Master is on board, who will instruct and assist you throughout the day. Your safety at sea takes first priority. The Dive Master may make the decision if sea conditions are not safe (or if a particular shark is too aggressive), not to allow you to enter the shark cage.

The boat is equipped with all diving equipment, including weight belts, scuba tanks, various wet suite sizes etc. Foul weather gear is also available on board.

You are welcome to bring your own diving equipment: However, your wet suit should ideally be 7mm (a 5mm suite will do, provided it is a good fit). It is recommended to bring hoods, gloves and booties for the cold water. Of course it is ideal if you have your own dry suit.

Remember to bring with you: A warm jacket or windbreaker, sun block cream, cap or wide brim hat, camera equipment (disposable under water cameras are available for sale locally). Please wear soft soled shoes that do not slip on board.

Refreshments and a light lunch is available on board

Sea Conditions:

Sea temperature ranges between 12 and 16 degrees centigrade.
Visibility: as low as 2 meters on a really bad day! Usually around 7 meters but can be as good as 14 meters on a good day!

Michael Scholl

Inigo Farjardo

Seasons:

High Season: May to October This is when sharks are at their most active! However, from May to the end of August, it is our winter season when stormy weather is a fact of life in the Western Cape. The weather can prohibit going out to sea - but once shark boats launch in good seas, the chance of seeing sharks is virtually 100%. You therefore need to spend at least 4/5 days in the area to allow for bad weather. Most divers spend 7/10 days to ensure good sea days.

Mid season: April November & December (you will still get reasonable sightings, but visibility is not that good and the sharks tend to be less active). During this season, you may still get the odd day of strong winds and high seas and you will have 60 to 70% chance of seeing sharks. To make provision for sea conditions, you should spend 3/4 days in the area.

Low Season: January to March (sharks tend to be at their least active around boats during these months as fish are plentiful in our seas during this period). Your chances of seeing sharks decreases to around 40 to 50% but the weather is glorious! Allow 2/3 nights in the area so you can go out to seas for a 2nd or 3rd time to increase your chances of seeing sharks.

SHARK DIVING UNLIMITED - we recommend this Operator

ACCOMMODATION:

Saxon Lodge specializes in hosting Dive groups and we have received fantastic feedback regarding our hospitality and personalized service from these groups, many of whom have rebooked our lodge for diving expeditions. We have also hosted a number of international film crews (Discovery Channel, BBC & ABC) and top international marine photographers.

We can accommodate groups, a combination of singles persons, sharing single persons and couples within the lodge and provide Dinner, Bed and Breakfast. Our lodge is fully licensed and we have a really well stocked pub, Specialising in wines of the Overberg region. We tailor our packages to suite each tour group’s specific requirements and therefore welcome your inquiry for quotation.