Shark & Paragliding

Shark

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.

Paragliding

Launch Sites:

Paragliding flights in Cape Town are mainly done from Lion's Head and Signal Hill. The launch site used is dependent on the wind speed and direction on the day.

Please note that the winds in and around Cape Town are very unpredictable and can change at any time. Flights will only take place if the launch and landing conditions are safe and will be at the sole discretion of the pilot to ensure client safety.

All pilots are highly experienced Tandem Flight Instructors (TFI) certified by the South African Association of Paragliding (SAHPA).

Flight Duration:

The duration of the flight cannot be guaranteed and may vary due to the changeable nature of the wind and can be anything from 10 to 30 minutes long. We aim to provide all our clients with the longest flight possible and for you to come away with experience that you will never forget.

The Flight:

No previous knowledge or experience of Paragliding is needed. All Tandem Paragliding flights involve you being securely strapped into a harness and positioned in front of the pilot.

On take-off, the paraglider will be spread out on the launch slope in front of you facing into the wind. All you need to do is run briefly down the slope and into the wind. This will cause the canopy to inflate and gently take both you and the pilot up into the air.

As you gain altitude you will be greeted with stunning views of Table Mountain, Lion's Head, Signal Hill, Camps Bay and Twelve Apostles. Table Mountain National Parks do not allow commercial tandem paragliding flights from Table Mountain however, if conditions are favourable it might just be possible to fly across there.

Your pilot is also equipped with a digital camera mounted on an extendable monopod. During your flight your pilot will not only capture the breathtaking views but also your smile! 

Landing Sites:

Landings are similarly as easy as take-off except done in reverse. The landing sites used are either Camps Bay High School sports field in front of the Bungalow Restaurant or the Sea Point promenade in front of Winchester Mansions. Paragliding can truly be done by anyone young, old or disabled.

Shark

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

Paragliding

The Trip includes:

• Tandem Paragliding Flight (10 - 30 minutes dependant on weather conditions)
• Experienced Pilot
• Equipment Hire

Shark

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

Paragliding

What To Bring with You:

• Warm jacket/jumper and long pants
• Running/walking shoes
• Hat & Sun-block
• Drinking Water
• Camera/Camcorder

Shark

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.

Paragliding

Optional Extras:

• Transfer to launch site can be arranged on request
• In-flight photography 
• Any drinks or mals not specified

Shark

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.

Paragliding

Safety:

The safety of our customers on every Paragliding Flight is of utmost importance to us.

The Operators we deal with have an unblemished Safety Record and regular safety checks are carried out on Equipment.

Please note that with all adventure activities, accidents can happen and may be down to unforeseen circumstances.

Shark

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:

Afternoon Trip Schedulu: (only available if there are enough clients to run two trips)

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.

Paragliding

Itinerary:

Meet at the appropriate launch site.

Launch sites will be confirmed on the day (weather dependent)

Please give yourself enough time to make it to the launch site time

• To get to Lion's Head Launch Site from the V&A Waterfront, head southwest on Dock Road.
• At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Ebenezer Road.
• Turn left onto Somerset Road/M61 and continue straight
• Turn right onto Buitengracht Street.
• Continue onto Signal Hill Road until you reach the parking lot where your guide will be waiting to meet you.

• To get to Signal Hill Launch Site from the V&A Waterfront, head southwest on Dock Road.
• At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Ebenezer Road.
• Turn left onto Somerset Road/M61 and continue straight
• Turn right onto Buitengracht Street.
• Continue onto Signal Hill Road until you can go no further. This is where your guide will be waiting to meet you.