Shark & Safari
Take our scenic self drive tour option of Cape Town and get to go on a Shark Cage Dive and a Big 5 Game Safari.
Go from beneath the water where you can take your first glimpse of a Great White and experience their sheer intoxicating beauty as they cruise right by you within arm's reach of the cage, to above the water where you can see South Arica's Big 5, the lion, the leopard, Elephant, Rhino and Buffalo.
From the comfort of the safari vehicle or various lookout points dotted throughout the Reserve spot the majestic Lion, plentiful Zebra, myriad of buck including Wildebeest, Kudu, Eland and Oryx or the 15-strong herd of giraffe as they make their way across the expanse known as the little Karoo.
If you're really lucky see the family of skittish meerkat,peering out from their burrows; the rare Bat-eared Fox rooting in the scrub for a juicy dung beetle hard at work.
This is a two-day tour and needs to be taken on 2 separate days.
Shark Cage diving can be done by the whole family, no dive experience is necessary.
Trips are run 7 days a week and subject to availability. The shark cage diving trip is strictly sea/weather dependent.
Find out more about the Trip
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.
Safari
About the Trip:
On arrival at Aquila, stretch your legs, breathe in the crisp fresh air and enjoy a refreshing welcome drink.
With impressive views of the expansive reserve visible in every direction, take meander through the beautifully manicured succulent garden before embarking on a safari game drive across the 10 000 ha private game reserve in an open vehicle in search of the Big 5.
The Game Drive:
As you begin your game drive through the reserve you will encounter numerous buck species, before going deeper into the reserve in search of lions, zebra, the endangered rhino, elephant, giraffe, hippo and possibly that elusive leopard.
Lunch:
On your return from the game drive, enjoy a delicious buffet lunch (not included).
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
Safari
- Welcome Drink
- Big 5 Game Drive
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
Safari
What to Bring:
- Hat & Sun Cream
- Camera/Camcorder
- Bathing Suit (During the Summer)
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.
Safari
Optional Extras:
- Buffet Lunch
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.
Safari
No Current Info
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:
| 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.
Safari
Itinerary
Note that the schedules below are a mere guideline and can change at any time.
Day Trip
| Time | Details |
|---|---|
| 10.00 | Arrival & Welcome Drink |
| 10.30 | Safari Game Drive (approx 2 -2.5 hours) |
| 13.00 | Buffet Lunch (optional extra) |
Please give yourself 2 hours to make it on time
Aquila Game Reserve is situated in the Ceres Karoo and this luxury safari is only a 3 hour drive from Cape Town.
- Follow the N1 highway from Cape Town for approximately 130km.
- The road will take you past Paarl, through the Huguenot tunnel (Toll Fee), past Worcester, De Doorns and through the Hex River Valley.
- Approximately 30 km after De Doorns and just past the road sign indicating “10km to Touws River,” you will get to the R46 turnoff to Ceres.
- Take the turnoff to the left. Follow the road for approximately 3km.
- You will find the Aquila Private Game Reserve main entrance on your left-hand side.
View in a larger map
