Come up close with magnificent bronze whaler sharks – and possibly even a great white shark – on a thrilling shark-cage diving adventure! Seeing the power and grace of these apex animals in their natural habitat is life-changing.
The EcoAdventure
We operate our shark cage diving trips off the coast of the scenic Overberg region. This area is located roughly a two-hour drive from Cape Town and has incredible biodiversity, both on land and in the ocean. Sharks are no exception with dozens of different shark species frequenting the shores of the Overberg region.
Our cage diving trips offer visitors the chance to see some of our larger local shark species from just metres away. Be prepared for the beauty of these magnificent animals to awe and inspire you.
You will encounter and learn about some of South Africa’s most captivating marine animals on your ecoadventure. These species include sharks, dolphins, penguins, whales (June to November), Cape fur seals, and others.
Our trips depart from a small fishing village roughly two hours east of Cape Town. The surrounding waters are a Marine Protected Area (MPA) and have long been a hub of shark activity.
The cage diving site is approximately a 20-minute boat ride offshore. We anchor close to a rocky island that supports a thriving Cape fur seal population. Seals are rich in fatty blubber, making them a favourite shark ‘superfood’. The islet’s surrounding seas are a magnet for these apex predators – and an optimal place for shark cage diving.
Then, it is time to get your gear on, take a deep breath, and enter the cage when our crew gives the signal. This is when your shark cage diving adventure truly begins. Our crew will alert you when sharks approach the cage and when to duck underwater for optimal sightings. Then, hold your breath and plunge down for a once-in-a-lifetime shark-viewing experience!
The shark species we most frequently see on our trips are bronze whaler sharks. These beautiful copper-coloured reach up to four metres in length and are typically inquisitive and interactive. We are often privileged to see 10 or more ‘bronzies’ on a single trip.
On some trips we are also privileged to encounter critically endangered great white sharks. There is nothing quite like seeing the grace and majesty of these large shark species underwater. Watching their elegant power is mesmerising and unforgettable.
After everyone has had sufficient shark sighting time, we head back to headquarters for lunch and a screening of the trip’s video footage. The ecoadventure lasts approximately two to three hours in total.
Please note: This activity depends on weather/sea/shark activity. Therefore, we can only provide confirmation of the trip the evening before departure.
What Species Could You See?
- Bronze whaler sharks
- Great white sharks
- Stingrays
- Dolphins
- Cape fur seals
- Petrels
- Cormorants
- Whales (June to November)
Whales (Seasonal)
Between June and November, southern right, humpback, and Bryde’s whales travel from Antarctica’s icy oceans to South Africa’s Western Cape coast. The reason for their epic annual journey is to mate and birth in our more temperate waters, where their calves have a better chance of survival.
Every year, we are graced with their presence and ocean antics, which occasionally include full breaching. This is a monumental feat for an animal that reaches up to 23000 kilograms in adulthood! Yet whales make it look effortless – just one of their many amazing characteristics. As summer descends on the southern hemisphere, the whales head back south, taking their offspring with them.
What do you need to bring?
- Sunscreen
- Swimsuit
- Warm clothes
- Seasickness tablets
*Wetsuits, diving masks, snorkels, booties, oilskins, towels, light snacks and drinking water are provided
NOTE: You do not need a scuba diving certification for this shark cage diving experience.
Adventure Itinerary
- Meet at our welcoming headquarters, located just 100 metres from the ocean.
- On arrival, our team will assist you with the registration process
- Enjoy a light meal
- Pre-adventure safety briefing. We will also update you on the latest sightings and what species you are most likely to see on your trip
- Our crew will assist you in finding correctly sized life jackets and dive gear for the trip
- Head out on our custom-made shark cage diving boat for approximately two hours for your ecoadventure
- Return to headquarters for lunch and to watch the video of the trip taken by our onboard videographer
Why Take an Ecoadventure With Us?
Committed to Conservation
Preserving sharks and other marine species is at the forefront of our work. We are committed to protecting local shark species for generations through research and related conservation action.
These sharks include bronze whalers, pyjama sharks, leopard cat sharks, shy sharks, spotted gullies, and the ultimate apex predators – great white sharks. Other than great whites, most of these species are data-deficient. This means that there is insufficient research to classify them according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The IUCN cannot implement regulations to protect these precious species without this classification. Therefore, the research you will do is vital to their conservation.
Safety and Standards First
Our shark cage diving vessel is custom-designed to ensure the highest safety standards. You are in good hands with our skipper, crew members, marine biologist, and tour facilitators, who have years of experience. Additionally, a love of sharks and a drive to conserve them unites us.
During the programme, volunteers stay in luxurious accommodation close to the ocean. Our comfortable volunteer headquarters has a bar area, swimming pool, and free WiFi.