Cape Town Central Tours
Shark Cage Diving and Viewing with transport from Cape Town
4.5
Shark Cage Diving and Viewing with transport from Cape Town
By Marine Dynamics Shark Tours
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
About
Feel the adrenaline rush on a classic Cape Town experience: cage diving with sharks, including the iconic great white. After pickup from your hotel, travel to Gansbaai, eat breakfast, and get fitted with warm diving gear. Your captain will anchor near Dyer Island to maximize your chances of a shark encounter from the safety of the cage, while the onboard marine biologist explains what the animals’ behavior means.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 5-99, max of 40 per group
Duration: 10h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Live guide: English
More
Highlights
- Cage dive in search of great white sharks near Dyer Island, off Gansbaai
- Learn about sharks’ habits and behavior from a marine biologist
- Get a second trip free if there’s no shark activity on the day
- Comprehensive tour includes hotel transfers, gear, and breakfast
- Breakfast
- Light refreshments
- Professional guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- All diving gear and towels supplied
What's not included- Gratuities
- Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.Pickup details
- Pick-up from hotels, guesthouses, backpackers, vacation rentals, AirBnB's and any other points within Cape Town city centre. Please specify your pickup address. We can inform you if it is possible. Please note that the timeslot selected is an estimated time for when the Shark Cage Diving boat will launch. Pickup time will be earlier to allow enough travel time from Cape Town to arrive for pre-trip briefing at the Great White House in Gansbaai. These are only estimated times and exact times can only be confirmed a day prior, after a detailed weather and tide check. Please allow a full day in your itinerary for this activity.
Hotel pickup offeredDuring checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.Airport pickup offeredDuring checkout you will be able to select from the list of included airports.- Cape Town Intl Airport, Cape Town Central South Africa
Port pickup offeredDuring checkout you will be able to select from the list of included ports.- Cape Town Harbour, S Arm Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5659SHARKCAGE- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- It is recommended that you wear a swim-suit underneath your clothes.
- Please note: Sharks are wild animals and their presence cannot be guaranteed. Every experience that guests have is educational from start to finish. The local supplier works with wild life and nature and sightings are never guaranteed. If a shark has been sighted from the boat, they will consider that a successful trip. If there is no shark activity while on a shark cage diving tour with the supplier, then a voucher will be offered. This voucher is not transferable – your name and passport number will be recorded on the voucher. The transfer fee is non-refundable.
- This tour typically departs at 9am, however if the weather conditions are bad in the morning, the tour will leave in the afternoon; this will be confirmed by the tour operator close to the day of your tour.
- You must contact the local service provider to confirm your exact pickup time.
- Please note that the Conservation Fee is compulsory.
- Most travellers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5659SHARKCAGE
From
R 4 050,00
per adult
Select date and travellers
Similar experiences
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- BGK1904790 contributionsNot bad, but could have been betterI had hoped to hear more about the life of the sharks and other marine life in the area. To much screaming and "Shakira" moments from the staff. But the hotel pick-up and other logistics including changing to and from wet suits and in and out of the cage worked well. And probably most important, the staff semed to take good care of participants getting seasick or nervous.Written 22 September 2024
- LizlG50 contributionsAwesome experience!Everything about Marine Dynamics is just so professional, well organised and an absolute pleasure. From our arrival to departure it was faultless with extraordinary service, extremely knowledgeable staff and just overall memorable.Written 19 September 2024
- JuliaK12180 contributionsA bucket list, once in a lifetime experienceA bucket list, once in a lifetime experience. The Marine Dynamics team and crew are absolute professionals - slick, organised, informative, engaging, fun, safety first. A really good deal considering food, drinks, snacks, wet suits, towels, photographer etc are included. The team also do fantastic marine research and environmental work so your fees are going to great people and a great cause. My family and I loved every minute of it, we never felt afraid and learned a lot about the incredible Bronze Whaler Sharks we saw.Written 5 September 2024
- Venture225479957140 contributionsAmazing experienceWhat an amazing day! The team of Marine Dynamics looked after our every need.. friendly welcome from Amelia, breakfast, safety briefing, quick hot water rinse after being in the cold water, hot chocolate, snacks, interesting information and photos from our great guide Susy and the whole team on the boat! We saw about 7 Bronze whaler sharks, a seal and a Short tail Stingray! Heads up to Marine Dynamics for all their conservation projects - we need more of them !Written 1 September 2024
- RachelOliveira0 contributionsAmazing tour and company!We had an exceptional experience on the Marine Big 5 tour, where we had the pleasure of spotting seals, whales, and penguins. As with any safari, sightings can vary, but the team made the effort to show us as many animals as possible while keeping us well-informed throughout. We were particularly impressed by the company's commitment to penguin conservation. Visiting their center to see the penguins being fed and swimming was incredible!Written 25 July 2024
- Jen G0 contributionsEnded up in hospital!Terrible choice to take a boat full of people out when seas were well over 3-4 meters! Over half of the passengers were vomiting! The crew was well prepared for this since they never seem to cancel trips and they were kind and helpful. Captain carried me off the boat and I was given a cabin to rest in while waiting for ambulance to take me to hospital for rehydration and medicine! Overall, I was terrified in a foreign country. I took 2 Dramamine before the trip.Written 25 June 2024
- Pegapony0 contributionsAwesomeGreat day out with my daughter. We were lucky to see two great whites and many other marine animals and birds. The crew were professional and they looked after us very well. Food before and after was fresh and tasty.Written 4 May 2024
- jpbirdfocus0 contributionsMarine Dynamics Shark Cage ExperienceAs a seasoned naturalist and guide, I enjoyed the experience and when at the coast, on boats and with my head under water I am happiest. As with all wildlife experiences, nothing is predictable or guaranteed and therefore I did not set my hopes on a single species. The combined experience of being on the boat and finding unique species such as Seven Gill Cow Shark, Southern African Fur Seal, Humpback Dolphin, African Penguin Brown Skuas and other marine birds made it a unique and remarkable experience. The experience was remarkable because the staff was super friendly and very helpful. This combined level of professionalism, focus on safety ongoing informative interpretation from the guide, and assistance from all crew members ensuring your well-being throughout the trip made it a very enjoyable learning experience. The crew also provides you with several nice touches such as warm showers, towels and blankets while on board, even a steaming mug of hot chocolate while inside the dive cage. I further like their conservation and community projects as I believe these have a true impact.Written 22 April 2024
- E2123IAjoshual0 contributionsExcellent tie was had by allInformative staff, great facilities, and got to see a junior GWS as well as lots of other sealife, what an experience!!!Written 13 March 2024
- 993candiceo0 contributionsExhilarating experience ever!CEO Candice October from OCTATRAVEL just faced my fears and had the most exhilarating experience ever! Today, I went shark cage diving, and it was absolutely mind-blowing! Being in the presence of these majestic creatures up close was an unforgettable moment. It's amazing how something so powerful can also be so graceful. Big shoutout to the crew at Marine Dynamics for ensuring our safety and making this adventure possible! If you ever get the chance, don't hesitate to dive into the deep blue and encounter these incredible beings firsthand.Written 10 March 2024
- V4600VGjohnp0 contributionsShark Diving (none seen)Disappointing day out on the boat. Fully aware that these things are not guaranteed, but we did not see any sharks (apparently there had been few sightings in the area recently). We saw a few seals, but that was it.Written 10 March 2024
- Marlene S0 contributionsIncredible experienceThis was a memorable experience that I’m happy to have participated in. We went directly to Marine Dynamics location at The White House in Gansbaai ourselves, which included an early morning briefing and gearing up in the wet suit provided and then walking to the dock and boat nearby. Although fairly rough water and light rain, the boat ride is short. About 10 people can get into the cage at a time, and viewing of the sharks from the boat is great too for those not wanting to go in the cage. Visibility in the water wasn’t great on this day, but it was still exhilarating to have participated. Once out of the cage, a rinse off, towels and hot chocolate are provided. We only saw copper sharks as the great whites have been scared off and are now rarely seen. Having a biologist on board provide guidance and share her knowledge was great and overall we felt safe both on the boat and in the cage. From start to finish 3 hrs or so, very reputable and professional tour operation.Written 16 February 2024
- Mark W0 contributionsA big fat noThis trip was sold as the great white shark cage event. You pays your money and takes your chance. Ok, I get that. The day before you are then warned in an email that there is no guarantee that you will see a shark despite the website claiming a 97% chance of a viewing. What they really want to say is that there is less than a 3% chance of seeing a great white shark but almost 100% chance of seeing a copper whale shark. The latter are toothless evidently. So a slight misleading sell in my thinking. Would I go again…. BIG FAT NOWritten 10 February 2024
- jocks2440 contributionsAmazing companyJust finished a trip out Cage diving and it was totally amazing, the crew was amazing especially goronia (sorry if spelt wrong) and bee the photographer, bee got great shots and was so funny 😁 great laugh and goronia was so enthusiastic about the animals and conservation 😀 this crew, facilities and whole set up is amazing and makes you feel so safe. so happy I did this with them, sharks all over place even had a few bumping Cage which made it so much better for me 😀 thank you for everythingWritten 31 January 2024
- 323kyms0 contributionsGreat experience with Marine DynamicsThis was a wonderful experience. Unfortunately the water was a bit murky on the day we went so we saw more above the water than in it. But the experience was incredible, the sightings were amazing and the staff was so happy and helpful. I got a bit seasick and I was so well taken care of, I was checked on regularly to make sure I was okay and given peppermints to help with the nausea. Our guide was super! Her knowledge was encyclopedic and she knew exactly how to manage the entire operation with ease. The photographer was engaging and happy and the rest of the crew was so helpful and friendly. I couldn't have asked for a better way to experience this kind of activity. Thank you Marine Dynamics for all your efforts and a great experience.Written 30 January 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
More to explore in Cape Town Central
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
369 reviews
Excellent
288
Very good
27
Average
22
Poor
13
Terrible
19
Traveler00416002230
4 contributions
The description of this tour is misleading. We booked this thinking it was a 4 hour tour but that is inaccurate. Be aware that it is a 2.5 hour drive from Cape Town. We were gone for 11 hours.
When we arrived at the tour we were served coffee, juice, and spring rolls. This was the “breakfast” that was provided.
Once on the boat we quickly realized that they book way too many people for this tour. The boat is absolutely packed with people to the point where the cage can only fit 1/3 of the people at a time.
Once in the cage it was nearly impossible to see anything due to the murkiness of the water. We had a shark hit the cage on the right side and people half way down the cage couldn’t see it due to the water clarity. This was most likely due to the windy conditions that day. The weather obviously isn’t something the tour can control, same with how they can’t control whether they see a shark or not. That being said, they knew the weather forecast and should’ve known what the water conditions may have been. They should have warned everyone who signed up and offered a refund, especially considering how expensive this tour is.
Overall this tour doesn’t live up to the description. If it was only $50-$100 per person it would be a good choice but at the rates they charge it’s not worth it.
When we arrived at the tour we were served coffee, juice, and spring rolls. This was the “breakfast” that was provided.
Once on the boat we quickly realized that they book way too many people for this tour. The boat is absolutely packed with people to the point where the cage can only fit 1/3 of the people at a time.
Once in the cage it was nearly impossible to see anything due to the murkiness of the water. We had a shark hit the cage on the right side and people half way down the cage couldn’t see it due to the water clarity. This was most likely due to the windy conditions that day. The weather obviously isn’t something the tour can control, same with how they can’t control whether they see a shark or not. That being said, they knew the weather forecast and should’ve known what the water conditions may have been. They should have warned everyone who signed up and offered a refund, especially considering how expensive this tour is.
Overall this tour doesn’t live up to the description. If it was only $50-$100 per person it would be a good choice but at the rates they charge it’s not worth it.
Written 19 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your feedback. Our team values an honest review as we are always striving to make the experience for our clients the best it can be.
We do advise our guests to allow a full day for the shark cage diving experience, especially if you are driving from Cape Town. We do not have set times, allowing us to launch during the best times of the day depending on the weather and tide conditions. This is why we can only confirm the exact launching time a day prior to the tour, after the latest detailed weather check.
On arrival, we offer coffee and a selection of canapes as a light breakfast. This includes vegetarian spring rolls, samoosas, meatballs and sausage rolls. We can accommodate different dietary requirements if communicated with us prior to arrival. During the tour, we offer savoury quiches, chips, hot chocolate and water. Once back on land, delicious vegetable soup and freshly baked bread rolls await our guests during the debriefing.
Our vessel is certified by the South African Maritime Safety Authority and can comfortably accommodate 40 guests plus crew members. Ensuring our safety protocols are followed in regards to COVID-19, we only fill the vessel up to 75% at this stage. The vessel of the cage can take 8-10 guests at a time and we rotate guests so everyone has an equal opportunity to see the sharks. More information about the tour is also available on our website.
It is unfortunate to hear that the shark hit the cage, as we do not aim to achieve this for dramatic effect. Marine Dynamics has been Fair Trade Tourism certified since 2008. Our skippers and crew members have thousands of hours of experience in this area and understand the conditions in which it is still safe to operate. Unfortunately, we cannot control the weather or the visibility once we are out at sea. Safety is our main priority.
Marine Dynamics supports the local NGO focussing on marine research and conservation, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust. By paying for this adventure you are also supporting the conservation of sharks and the marine wildlife of the greater Dyer Island Ecosystem.
Written 27 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sightsee646289
4 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
Maybe our expectations were too high, or we felt misled by the emphasis on the great whites on the website, but to only be told during the briefing that great white sightings are extremely rare these days was quite disappointing. I think the website needs to be revamped to reflect what the experience really is ie a boat trip with bronze whaler sightings and an emphasis on educating people about conservation. I don’t doubt there are occasional great white sightings, but I get the distinct impression these are few and far between. Customers should be made more aware of this before they commit to the trip and invest significant time and cost. We based our decision on the fantastic marketing spiel on the website eg best place in the world for great white sightings. The Aussie marine biologist is amazing and seems to do several jobs at the same time, genuinely caring for her customers and passionate about sharing her vast knowledge. The broader team were nice and friendly as well.
Written 2 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your feedback.
Our team appreciates honest feedback from clients to make sure we improve where we can to ensure the best possible experience. We do however have information on our website specifically addressing the white shark behaviour, since the natural Orca predation in the Dyer Island ecosystem.
During 2017, our website's home page was updated to state the following message:
Marine Dynamics enjoys sightings of great whites, copper sharks (bronze whalers) and even the occasional stingray at our vessel.
Great White Shark behaviour is less predictable post orca predation in 2017.
Daily blog of sightings is available. All content on our website is the property of Marine Dynamics.
The Great White shark will always be the main attraction yes, but we explain to our clients that this is nature we work with and that wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. This is specifically mentioned in our Terms and conditions available on our website. Our communication stays transparent by publishing daily blogs with recent sightings, available since 2012. Our senior White Shark Biologist has also published several blogs on our website to address white shark activity since 2017.
Marine Dynamics supports the owner established Dyer Island Conservation Trust. Educating people about conservation is not just another add-on to our services. This is the backbone of our operation. We have published an article to explain how Shark Cage Diving in South Africa protect the Sharks (Available under the Save the Ocean tab on our website):
White shark cage diving has been recognised as a vital conservation tool, critically important for the species’ conservation in Southern Africa where it is a highly threatened species. Marine Dynamics is a company that is doing our very best to minimise the impact on the environment across the board and being recognised internationally for doing so, winning responsible tourism and conservation awards and being referenced in case studies. As such, we appreciate the necessity to protect our wildlife. We encourage tourists and tour operators to work with responsible shark cage diving operators and we live by our slogan of “YOUR CHOICE MAKES A DIFFERENCE.”
We feel sure that if the boats were not on the water every day monitoring them, that these incredible animals would be poached extensively. Research of the great white shark is key to their survival. If we understand the pressures on this species, we can help drive conservation decisions on a government level and the level of research supported through this industry is internationally and nationally recognised.
Read the full article by visiting our website.
Thank you for your positive feedback regarding our Marine Biologist on board and the rest of our team. We strive to offer only the best service to our clients.
Updating our website with recent and accurate information is an ongoing project and our team continues to review and adjust or add more information where necessary.
Written 15 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
John J
1 contribution
Jun 2022 • Friends
Misleading advertising. Purchased Reviews. They are less than truthful on the site and in the responses to low ratings on this site. They say white shark sightings are less predictable post 2017 orca predation, then you show up and they tell you there hasn’t been one since 2017, but maybe we will see bronze sharks. How can you advertise white sharks and know there hasn’t been a sighting in 5 years?
We went out and didn’t see anything, not one shark. I’m not upset about nature, you can’t predict that, but don’t outright lie and bill yourself as a Great White Shark Tour. Stop scamming people. I know you have a business to run, but don’t rip tourists off. Employees were at least nice, which makes sense when they have to be due to the lies.
We went out and didn’t see anything, not one shark. I’m not upset about nature, you can’t predict that, but don’t outright lie and bill yourself as a Great White Shark Tour. Stop scamming people. I know you have a business to run, but don’t rip tourists off. Employees were at least nice, which makes sense when they have to be due to the lies.
Written 14 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for complimenting our staff; we always strive to offer 5-star service.
The information you have received about not seeing a White shark in five years is respectfully inaccurate. Our last sighting of Great White sharks was to this date- July 24, 2022. Transparency and sharing credible information are what we stand by. On our blog on the website, we post the latest sightings of wildlife. Shark activity has been less predictable since the Orca predation started in 2017. Still, through our blog and social media, including live stories and videos, it is clear that we have seen Great White sharks, Bronze Whaler sharks, and Stingrays around our vessel.
Written 26 July 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Christopher B
2 contributions
Sept 2022 • Solo
The sharks, 10 Bronze Whaler Sharks, 2 Wide Nose Snout Seven Gill Sharks and a Sting Ray all came and said hello. The Bronze, also known as Copper Sharks stayed the full 2 & 1/2 hours we were out in water. Soooo cool. Staff from pickup to safety orientation to help on boat to a real welcoming home back on land were first class.
100% epic cage diving experience.
Bring your sea legs with you and try it. Marine Dynamics are well worth the investment to handle your dream/bucket list experience.
Great White lovers, they are about but they are battling an Orca issue at the moment in South Africa so sightings and visits to the boats at all dive sights in South Africa are now hit and miss. This is nature, don't let it put you off. I didn't see the Shark I was hoping for but have a special memory seared in my brain which I will take to my grave. Thank you everyone at Marine Dynamics. By the way I want to return to South Africa, amazing beautiful country and try again to meet my dream fish with you a company that I rate ethicaly and feel safe with. xxxxxx
100% epic cage diving experience.
Bring your sea legs with you and try it. Marine Dynamics are well worth the investment to handle your dream/bucket list experience.
Great White lovers, they are about but they are battling an Orca issue at the moment in South Africa so sightings and visits to the boats at all dive sights in South Africa are now hit and miss. This is nature, don't let it put you off. I didn't see the Shark I was hoping for but have a special memory seared in my brain which I will take to my grave. Thank you everyone at Marine Dynamics. By the way I want to return to South Africa, amazing beautiful country and try again to meet my dream fish with you a company that I rate ethicaly and feel safe with. xxxxxx
Written 17 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Christopher! It is so refreshing to hear such enthusiasm in your review! We feel as passionately for the marine wildlife around us as you do! And it is certainly not every day we see Sevengill Cow Sharks and a Short-tail stingray on the same day along with Bronze whaler sharks. It sounds like a great day out at sea.
Thank you for complimenting our staff from the minute you were picked up until the end of your dive. Thank you for stating it is first class; we take pride in the service we deliver to our clients!
Thank you for your support and your understanding of the unpredictable sightings of the Great White shark due to Orca predation. The Bronze whaler sharks are so unique and we are delighted to hear that this was still an unforgettable experience for you! Our team can't tell you enough how great it is to hear such kind words from a review such as this. Hopefully we will see you for your next dive in the future!
Written 19 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Need2TravelGA
Newnan, GA169 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
This experience was totally worth it. I had such a great day! They picked us up early for the drive to the bay. We had a good breakfast and a briefing with a super knowledgeable and friendly marine biologist. Elena explained exactly how the day would go and what we could expect from it. And it all went exactly as she said it would. The boat and crew were also great, and we got to cage dive with two species of sharks, a stingray, and a curious seal. It was an amazing experience to be up close and personal with such majestic predators, and still feel totally safe the whole time. Everyone was attentive and nice and we all got a chance to experience the sharks from inside the cage. And at the end of the day, I got dropped back off right at my hotel. Perfectly done and completely worth it. I highly recommend Marine Dynamics if you’re considering a day of cage diving with sharks.
Written 15 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for sharing your fantastic experience with us!
We're delighted to hear that you had a great day and found the entire adventure totally worth it. Our team and friendly crew are dedicated to providing exceptional service to our guests from start to finish.
It's wonderful to know that the day began on a positive note with a delicious breakfast. Our marine biologist, Elena, is truly knowledgeable and friendly, and we're glad that her briefing helped set the right expectations for the day. We believe that transparency and accurate information are crucial in ensuring our guests have the best possible experience.
Being up close and personal with majestic predators like sharks, a stingray, and a curious seal is indeed an amazing and awe-inspiring encounter. Your safety is our top priority, and it's great to hear that you felt completely safe throughout the entire experience.
Thank you for highly recommending Marine Dynamics to anyone considering a day of cage diving with sharks. We appreciate your kind words and hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back for more incredible adventures in the future!
Written 13 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Zhecho Dobrev
Sofia, Bulgaria2 contributions
Aug 2023
Marine Dynamics runs a very smooth and professional operation. I had a great day although we weren't lucky to see any sharks (other than a small sevengill shark while we were not in the cage. The team decided to make up for that and took us to Dyer Island (what is known as "shark alley) to see the seals.
Here's the longer story with some advice for prep:
Put on your swim gear prior to heading for the trip. It's best not to be in shorts but rather like speedo fastskin swimsuit and it may be useful to put on a water shirt (rash guard) as well. If you can stay in Gansbai for the night and head early in the morning or towards sunset (if possible).
Here's how my day went:
I was picked at 6:30 from my hotel but Marine Dynamics' driver in a minivan. The driver was very nice and there was WiFi on board. We went to Cape Town to make a few more stops and pick more people. From Cape Town to Ganbaai it's a 2hr drive and we stopped half-way to grab a coffee and something to eat, use the restrooms etc. By the time we pick everyone and make the journey, do the briefing at Marine Danymics' restaurant it was already approaching noon.
Then we headed into the ocean. It was just 15min ride, then dress up in the swimsuits and ... wait. We were not that lucky. Nevertheless it was still interesting jumping into the cage.
Since we didn't see much shark activity the crew were nice enough to take us to Dyer island where we saw lot's of seals and where in the past the waters were patrolled by sharks.
The crew were quite good. I wouldn't fault them for anything. They also have a very nice marine biologist and do a lot about conservation.
Then we headed back for some lunch. It consisted or vegetables soup and bread.
Then the same return operation going back to the hotel. All in all, it turned out to be almost a 13 hour day between pick-up and drop back.
Here's the longer story with some advice for prep:
Put on your swim gear prior to heading for the trip. It's best not to be in shorts but rather like speedo fastskin swimsuit and it may be useful to put on a water shirt (rash guard) as well. If you can stay in Gansbai for the night and head early in the morning or towards sunset (if possible).
Here's how my day went:
I was picked at 6:30 from my hotel but Marine Dynamics' driver in a minivan. The driver was very nice and there was WiFi on board. We went to Cape Town to make a few more stops and pick more people. From Cape Town to Ganbaai it's a 2hr drive and we stopped half-way to grab a coffee and something to eat, use the restrooms etc. By the time we pick everyone and make the journey, do the briefing at Marine Danymics' restaurant it was already approaching noon.
Then we headed into the ocean. It was just 15min ride, then dress up in the swimsuits and ... wait. We were not that lucky. Nevertheless it was still interesting jumping into the cage.
Since we didn't see much shark activity the crew were nice enough to take us to Dyer island where we saw lot's of seals and where in the past the waters were patrolled by sharks.
The crew were quite good. I wouldn't fault them for anything. They also have a very nice marine biologist and do a lot about conservation.
Then we headed back for some lunch. It consisted or vegetables soup and bread.
Then the same return operation going back to the hotel. All in all, it turned out to be almost a 13 hour day between pick-up and drop back.
Written 21 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your detailed experience with us. We appreciate your understanding of the unpredictable nature of wildlife encounters and are glad to hear that you had a positive day with us despite not seeing many sharks.
We understand your feedback about the timing and the journey duration, and we advise our clients to allow a full day in their itinerary for this experience, especially when travelling from Cape Town. We appreciate your patience during the day, as we strive to provide a seamless and enjoyable trip for all our guests.
We truly value your understanding of working with nature. While we cannot control the sharks' behaviour, our dedicated crew will always deliver 5-star service and do their absolute best to make the trip a memorable experience, just as they did by taking you to Dyer Island to see the seals. We are delighted to hear that you found the crew to be quite good, and we're proud to have a passionate marine biologist onboard who is committed to educating our guests about marine conservation.
Your support means the world to us, and your choice to join us contributes significantly to our marine conservation efforts. By participating in our tours, you directly contribute to the preservation of marine life in our beautiful oceans.
Once again, thank you for choosing Marine Dynamics for your shark diving adventure. We hope to welcome you back in the future for another chance to explore the wonders of the ocean together.
Written 3 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jacki T
Buckingham, UK14 contributions
Feb 2022
We took this trip on 13 Feb and it was, in a word, AWESOME! Coffee and breakfast on arrival, followed by an informative safety briefing. Then to the boat and a 15 minute ride out to the dive site. We were lucky enough to see many sharks, a ray, a whale & the most enormous flock of cormorants I've ever seen!
There were snacks on board the boat and hot chocolate when you came out of the water. Then delicious soup & bread on return to land. We had to head straight off after the trip to catch our flight and they even sent the soup down to the harbour with our driver so we could get away promptly.
Brilliantly run & at no point did we feel unsafe - although being in the cage up close to so many sharks is a massive adrenaline rush. Thanks so much to all involved.
There were snacks on board the boat and hot chocolate when you came out of the water. Then delicious soup & bread on return to land. We had to head straight off after the trip to catch our flight and they even sent the soup down to the harbour with our driver so we could get away promptly.
Brilliantly run & at no point did we feel unsafe - although being in the cage up close to so many sharks is a massive adrenaline rush. Thanks so much to all involved.
Written 14 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Jacki for the 5-star review! It is so great to hear that you had a successful trip while out at sea and were able to get close to not only the sharks but other wildlife as well.
Thank you for your compliments in regards to the food that we serve and our dedication for you to leave on time. Our crew will always make sure everyone is comfortable before, during, and after the dive. We appreciate your feedback Jacki and thank you for your support.
Written 1 May 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Maria S
Great Bookham, UK42 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
The entire trip was a joy and a pure privilege. To be picked up from your hotel and driven through the most stunning scenery imaginable with a passionate and knowledgeable driver is really just the beginning! On arrival at the Great White House you are welcomed by such a lovely, happy team who are on hand to help with any concerns and questions. The boat ride itself was perfect; gulls hovering right by the side of the boat, so close! The thrill to be up close with such magnificent creatures is incredible. We also had the amazing sighting of a giant ray and a cape seal decided to come and join the fun with the sharks, swimming and jumping, giving us brilliantly clear views of him. It’s all over too soon but we are warmed up back at the base with delicious hot soup and bread. Then, the drive back to Cape Town we were speechless to be taken to a whale watching spot by our lovely driver ( Hima) and we actually saw southern right whales turning in the water, which was totally unexpected! Back on the minibus to a viewing point of Cape Town … there, sat on a bin top, was a baboon!!! My young son’s jaw literally hit the floor!! He was speechless. I will never forget today. Marine Dynamics gave us a wonderful day and looked after us so well the whole way. Some people don’t appreciate how lucky they are to travel and see these beautiful animals, but thankfully, most are! Thankyou to all.
Written 26 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Maria, thank you for your 5-star review! It is a pleasure to facilitate an experience that you enjoyed so much! Thank you for complimenting our driver, as we have the utmost confidence in him to provide the best experience possible as you make your way to Gansbaai. It is also refreshing to hear that you appreciate the scenery around you!
Thank you for also complimenting our team at the Great White House, who are there to welcome you and make you feel the most comfortable before you venture out to sea.
It is terrific that your experience on the boat was perfect! Your safety and comfort are a priority for us. And to hear that you saw sharks, a short-tailed stingray, and a seal sounds like a fantastic trip.
We are happy to hear that Hima had the opportunity to take you to a whale-watching spot and stop for a baboon sighting!
Thank you, Maria, for your support and taking the time to write this review. We will pass on all of your compliments to the staff, and it was a pleasure to have you on board and join us for such a memorable time.
Written 22 August 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Shawn Naugle
Palm Harbor, FL18 contributions
We went on a very clear day and the visibility above and while inside the water was fantastic. The boat captain, crew, and marine biologists were all very helpful and kind.
We had a nice shuttle pick us up from our hotel and the driver was polite, professional, and efficient.
After everyone was picked up, we made a 2 hour drive to the boat launch. We stopped half way along the way for scheduled bathroom breaks and the opportunity to purchase coffee, food( snacks, etc.
After we arrived, we received a briefing from Ronya (marine biologist with Marine Dybamics) and watched a short safety video while eating breakfast. Once completed, we went outside, picked up life jackets and waterproof jackets and walked down the road to the boat launch.
The boat ride out was very smooth and took less than 15 minutes. Once there, we anchored and wet suits, booties, and goggles were distributed. They help ensure the sizes are best for you and are willing to swap out for a tighter fit if needed to keep you as warm as possible.
My family and I were in the first group to go on the first boat trip of the day. The water was very cold, but your body acclimates within the first few minutes and you get used to us. The crew helps to chuck the waters and safely bait the sharks to get them very close to the cage in the water and the views of the sharks were incredible! We saw several sharks and many were within arm’s length of the cage (though no one was dumb enough to put their arms/hands/feet outside the cage). We spent about 20 minutes in the water and then were assisted out of the cage and back on the boat.
We were welcomed with hot water spray downs inside the wet suit, hot chocolate, and clean towels. All of the groups rotated through (3 groups of 8 people each) and when you were not in the water, you could sit on the boat and see the sharks from up above.
We learned a lot about Marine Dynamics’ conservation efforts for sharks and learned some very cool facts about sharks.
After returning back, we had soup and bread for lunch, had time to walk around the gift shop, and then loaded back up to head back to Cape Town.
The reviews are legit for this place and we would definitely recommend to all!
We had a nice shuttle pick us up from our hotel and the driver was polite, professional, and efficient.
After everyone was picked up, we made a 2 hour drive to the boat launch. We stopped half way along the way for scheduled bathroom breaks and the opportunity to purchase coffee, food( snacks, etc.
After we arrived, we received a briefing from Ronya (marine biologist with Marine Dybamics) and watched a short safety video while eating breakfast. Once completed, we went outside, picked up life jackets and waterproof jackets and walked down the road to the boat launch.
The boat ride out was very smooth and took less than 15 minutes. Once there, we anchored and wet suits, booties, and goggles were distributed. They help ensure the sizes are best for you and are willing to swap out for a tighter fit if needed to keep you as warm as possible.
My family and I were in the first group to go on the first boat trip of the day. The water was very cold, but your body acclimates within the first few minutes and you get used to us. The crew helps to chuck the waters and safely bait the sharks to get them very close to the cage in the water and the views of the sharks were incredible! We saw several sharks and many were within arm’s length of the cage (though no one was dumb enough to put their arms/hands/feet outside the cage). We spent about 20 minutes in the water and then were assisted out of the cage and back on the boat.
We were welcomed with hot water spray downs inside the wet suit, hot chocolate, and clean towels. All of the groups rotated through (3 groups of 8 people each) and when you were not in the water, you could sit on the boat and see the sharks from up above.
We learned a lot about Marine Dynamics’ conservation efforts for sharks and learned some very cool facts about sharks.
After returning back, we had soup and bread for lunch, had time to walk around the gift shop, and then loaded back up to head back to Cape Town.
The reviews are legit for this place and we would definitely recommend to all!
Written 2 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew J
Sarn, UK51 contributions
The reason this is not five stars is the lapse of honesty snd integrity in the communication. I booked this trip some months before traveling. I opted for the 7am trio thinking this was a 7am hotel pick up from Cape Town snd THEN the 2 snd a half out drive to Gandbaai. It was only weeks before when trawling through trip advisor that I found snd indication that is was a 4.30 am pick up for this slot. I emailed Aletta van Bosch numerous time to clarify the pick up time but she was more slippery than an octopus on an ice rink. She WOULD NOT answer my concerns. Extremely evasive. The trip however was actually first class. Very professional from start to finish. The staff are genuine and a
Engaging and we saw 9 bronze whaler shark close enough to touch if you were reckless enough. The pick up and transfer were first class snd the driver even stopped off at Hermanus to show us the southern Wright Whales with their calf’s in the bay. Over all an absolutely fabulous experience snd one well and truly ticked off my bucket list. Please be more honest with your communication as you chance loosing confidence by being evasive to the point of deceptive.
Engaging and we saw 9 bronze whaler shark close enough to touch if you were reckless enough. The pick up and transfer were first class snd the driver even stopped off at Hermanus to show us the southern Wright Whales with their calf’s in the bay. Over all an absolutely fabulous experience snd one well and truly ticked off my bucket list. Please be more honest with your communication as you chance loosing confidence by being evasive to the point of deceptive.
Written 3 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and for choosing our services for your adventure.
Firstly, we sincerely apologize for any confusion and frustration caused by the miscommunication regarding the pick-up time. We understand the importance of clear and accurate communication, especially for our guests travelling from afar. We regret that you did not receive the timely and transparent response you deserved. We have taken your feedback seriously and will use it as an opportunity to improve our communication processes to ensure this doesn't happen again in the future.
Please note that the timeslots on our website and online listings are our launching times and not the pickup times. ALSO, we work according to weather and tide conditions that change on a daily basis. We can only confirm the exact pickup or meeting time for the tour, a day prior after a detailed weather and tide check. If we had set times, it would mean a lot more cancellations. We do state in our Terms and Conditions and tour descriptions that the timeslots on our website and other listings are only estimated launching times. We do appreciate the patience of our guests to understand that we are working with nature and do our very best to make sure we can offer the best time of the day. We will double our efforts to make sure our team continue to communicate this clearly.
We are delighted to hear that despite the initial confusion, you had an exceptional experience during your trip. It warms our hearts to know that you found our staff genuine, engaging, and professional. Witnessing 9 bronze whaler sharks up close and the impromptu stop at Hermanus to observe southern right whales in the bay sounds truly magical.
Your positive feedback about the trip itself is incredibly rewarding for us, and we're glad we could contribute to fulfilling a bucket list experience. We appreciate your understanding and patience and hope to welcome you back in the future.
Thank you once again for your valuable feedback, and we wish you many more wonderful adventures in the future.
Written 3 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
What time of year is the best to go shark cage diving? What are the chances of seeing a great white? Thanks
Written 4 April 2024
Does it have a photo service underwater or just video? How much does it cost? thanks!
Written 19 March 2024
Do you have to have scuba experience to do this tour? It sounds amazing & I'd love to do it but I've never scuba dived. Thanks for any information
Written 4 January 2024
No scuba experience is required. The cage is attached to the boat and you don’t need any scuba gear.
Written 4 January 2024
Hi, I understand you can’t always predict nature but I’m interested to know what other marine life other than sharks we can expect to see during the dive?
Written 28 March 2023
Jay
Atlanta, Georgia
All we saw were bronze whale sharks. No other marine life. No reefs, etc. visibility is just beyond an average extended arm. A meter and a half. A three hour one way drive from Cape Town that is totally uneventful.
Written 29 March 2023
Alan
Newmachar, United Kingdom
Hi , do you pick up from the Harbour Bridge Hotel, Cape Town?Thanks
Written 27 July 2022
nbazin2018
Lyon, France
Hello,
I didn't go scuba diving. Do you accept the novice ? Which is the best period to dive with sharks ?
Thanks for your answer.
Nadège
Written 28 May 2022
Hi...
1/ while in the cage, is it a requirement to use a breathing apparatus or is the cage not fully submersed?
2/ what is the water temperature in late January?
Written 20 April 2022
Hi, I have two questions:
1) do we have to hold our breath (getting into the water when the shark is close) or do we get any kind of air tank or a breathing device so we can stay under the water all the time? If not, can I pay for one?
2) how much for the professional video?
Written 5 May 2021
Showing results 1-10 of 19