Helicopter & Sharks
Take the 2 Day Self Drive option and see Cape Town from both above the water with a scenic helicopter flight and and below the water with Shark Cage Dive.
Take the plunge and dive straight into great white territory. Nothing can prepare you for the thrill and wonder of a close encounter with the most awesome predator of the ocean, the Great White Shark. Meeting this majestic beast eye-to-eye will certainly leave you on a high for days and change your perception of sharks forever.
Then take to skies with a helicopter flip and enjoy some spectacular aerial views of Cape Town's best known sights. Be greeted with unobstructed views Table Mountain and its surrounding famous mountain peaks, Lion's Head, Devil's Peak and Signal Hill. Then fly over the beautiful sandy white beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay nestled beneath the awe inspiring Twelve Apostles before returning to the V&A Waterfront.
The Day Tours can be taken either back-to-back or on seperate days. Trips are run 7 days a week and are strictly weather dependent and subject to availability.
Shark Cage diving can be done by the whole family, no dive experience is necessary.
Find out more about the Trip
Helicopter
What you can Expect to See:
- Fabulous aerial views of the V&A Waterfront
- If weather is good, views of Robben Island way in the distance
- Cape Town City Bowl
- 2010 FIFA World Cup Cape Town Stadium
- Table Mountain (one of the new Seven Wonders of the World)
- Lion's Head, Signal Hill & Devil's Peak
- Towering Twelve Apostles backdrop to the famous Clifton and Camps Bay beaches
Sharks
About the Trip:
Your Shark Cage Diving experience starts after an approximate 2 and a half hour drive from Cape Town.
On arrival in Gansbaai you will be met by the crew and be given a brief orientation on the day's activities. You will then be required to complete the necessary Shark Cage Diving indemnity forms while you enjoy a light breakfast before embarking on this thrill seeking Shark Diving Adventure.
After breakfast you will take a short walk down to Kleinbaai harbour where all the diving boats are based. Once on board get ready for the ultimate adrenaline rush of your life. Nothing quite compares to Shark Diving in Cape Town.... it will leave you on a high for days.
Where We Dive and Best time to Go:
A 10-15 minute boat ride will take you out to Shark Alley (between Gyser Rock and Dyer Island, home to one of the largest seal colonies in Southern Africa), renowned as one of "the best" Shark Diving Sites in Gansbaai.
Winter time (Apr - Oct) is considered to be the best time to go Shark Cage Diving in South Africa with visibility being better than in the summer however, Great White Shark Diving can be done all year round!
Time at Sea:
Boats stay out at sea for around 2 - 4 hours depending on weather and sea conditions. Once anchored, the crew will immediately begin to chum the water with fish based products, like tuna and fish oil to attract the Great White Sharks. With the chum in the water all you can do is wait for the first shark to show up and hope that this happens quickly.
Once the first shark makes its appearance you will kit up and get into the cage where you can get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures. One to five Great Whites can be encountered in a day but if you are exceptionally lucky, you may see more.
Dive Equipment:
All dive gear including wetsuits and mask are provided so that you can enjoy the Shark Cage Dive in comfort.
Once in the cage all you need to do is lower yourself under the water using a simple breath-hold technique where you will be able to view the Great White Sharks lurking in the depths below.
Shark Diving is safe and very educational. You also don't need any dive certification to go Shark Cage Diving here in Cape Town.
The Dive:
For your 1st Dive you get about 20 - 30 minutes in the cage. Subsequent dives are then rotated amongst the divers to ensure everyone gets a chance to view the Great White Sharks. You can sometimes get 2 - 3 dives per trip if the weather, sea conditions and shark activity is good. The cage takes between 5 - 6 people at a time so there is plenty of time to cage dive. Numbers are limited to ensure maximum shark cage diving time.
For those of you who would prefer not to get in the cage, no problem, these fantastic apex predators can be viewed from the boat. Being surface feeders, it's almost as good as being in the water with them as everything happens pretty close to the surface, giving you exceptional views and fantastic photo opportunities of them circling and descending deeper into the depths below.
Conditions:
The water temperatures can vary between 55 - 65°F (12-18°C) when you go Great White Shark Diving in Cape Town. Visibility is usually around 6-8 meters but can go up to 12-15 meters on a good day or down to 2-3 meters on a bad day.
The Return to Shore:
On return to shore after your exhilarating Shark Cage Diving experience you will be invited to view the Shark Diving video of the day (available at an additional cost) while you enjoy a light lunch.
Helicopter
The Trip includes:
- Robinson 44 City Hopper Shared Helicopter Flight (approx 15 - 20 min)
- On-board Commentary
Sharks
The Trip includes:
- Shark Cage Diving & Surface Viewing (1 Trip)
- Boat & Cage Dive Safety Briefing
- An experienced Dive Guide & Boat Skipper
- All dive gear including mask and wetsuits
Meals:
- A light breakfast on arrival
- Drinks & Snacks on board the boat
- A light lunch on your return to Kleinbaai Harbour
Helicopter
What To Bring with You:
- Your camera / camcorder for that perfect photo opportunity
Sharks
What To Bring with You:
- Warm clothing for after the dive. Waterproof / Windproof Jacket, it can sometimes get a bit chilly on the boat
- Hat & Sun block
- Swimming costume for underneath wetsuits (if diving)
- Camera
- Towel
- Disposable underwater cameras are also available at the harbour curio shop or at most camera stockists
- Sea / Motion Sickness Tablets
Helicopter
Optional Extras:
- photos & video footage
- Food and drinks, unless specified
Sharks
Optional Extras:
- A DVD of the day's activities will be available for purchase.
- Don't fancy the 2.5 hour drive see our fully inclusive Transfer Option.
- Want to spoil yourself why not try our Helicopter Charter Option.
Helicopter
Safety:
The safety of our customers on every Helicopter Tour is of utmost importance to us.
The Operators we deal with have an unblemished Safety Record and carry out regular safety checks .
Sharks
Safety:
The safety of our customers on every Cage Diving trip is of utmost importance to us.
The Operators we deal with have an unblemished Safety Record and carry out regular safety checks. Shark Cage Diving with Great Whites has become an important part of Eco-Tourism in South Africa so ensuring your safety also ensures the continued survival of the Great White Shark.
No Current Info
Helicopter
Itinerary:
Flight Times will be confirmed one day prior to the flight
All Flights depart from the V&A Waterfront
Sharks
Itinerary:
Note that the schedules below are a mere guideline and can change at any time. During high season there may be as many as two or even three dive Trips available per day depending on the Operator.
Morning Trip Schedule:
| Time | Details |
|---|---|
| 8.00 | Meet in Kleinbaai for a light Breakfast & Dive Briefing. |
| 9.00 | Boat launch from Kleinbaai harbour (15 - 20 min boat ride to the site). |
| 9.20 | Estimated 2-4 hours at sea for the shark cage dive (All gear included plus drinks & snacks onboard). |
| 13.20 | Return to harbour. |
| 13.40 | Partake in a Light lunch whilst watching the video of the day (Option to purchase DVD). |
Afternoon Trip Schedulu: (only available if there are enough clients to run two trips)
| Time | Details |
|---|---|
| 11.30 | Meet in Kleinbaai for a late Breakfast & Dive Briefing. |
| 12.10 | Boat launch from Kleinbaai harbour (15 - 20 min boat ride to the site). |
| 12.30 | Estimated 3 hours at sea for the shark cage dive (All gear included plus drinks & snacks onboard). |
| 15.30 | Return to harbour. |
| 15.50 | Partake in a Late lunch whilst watching the video of the day (Option to purchase DVD). |
Please give yourslef 2.5 hours to make it on time
- From Cape Town, take the N2 to Somerset West/Cape Town International Airport.
- Stay on the N2 and drive straight through Somerset West, continue over Sir Lowry’s Pass in the direction of George.
- As you come down from Houwhoek Pass, keep left and head towards Hermanus on to the R43.
- Continue through this up and coming coastal town, until you pass Stanford (approx 20km from Hermanus) and drive for a further 20km until you reach Gansbaai.
- As you enter Gansbaai continue straight until you come to the last 4-way stop (5th intersection), turn right onto Main Road.
- Keep left on Main Road. This becomes Swart Street.
- At the T-junction, turn right into Kus Drive. Kleinbaai Harbour will be on your left where the crew will be awaiting your arrival.
