How much does it cost?
Adults: R1700 per person
. Children Under 12: R750 per person
What does it cost for a return trip from Cape Town?
R500 per person.
Do you feed the sharks?
No we do not feed the sharks, but we do chum the water.
What is chum?
Chum is a combination of minced Tuna and Sardines with fish oil, this is mixed with sea water, then gradually thrown in the sea to create a chum slick. The chum slick represents a carcass of a dead Tuna and the sharks enter a scavenging mode.
What happens if I don’t see any sharks?
We will offer you a free great white shark cage diving trip including transport to come back on an alternative date. We work with wild animals that are not confined to a cage but instead roam freely as they wish.
How many people do you take on a trip?
Barracuda (our boat) is licensed to carry 36 people. However to keep our standards the highest in the shark cage diving industry, we limit the amount of people to 22, this will give you enough room to move around freely on the boat, longer diving times and we can give individual attention to all our clients.
Can I book a private trip or charter the boat for myself or my group?
Yes, we welcome all requests and will do our best to accommodate your every need.
Where does the trip start?
Kleinbaai harbour, this is the closest launch site to our dive locations.
How long is the trip?
The duration of the trip depends on the weather / sea conditions, people and also the sharks. Every day is different out here, but the average trip is between two and a half hours to four and a half hours.
What time do we start & when will we return?
Times differ, depending on the tides, and the weather. We try and go out as early as possible. As the sharks are more active very early in the morning.
At what age can children participate in the trip?
Children as young as 7 or 8 can jump in the cage. They are the conservationists of the future and we welcome them to join us. All children get a certificate when they enter the cage.
What is the distance from Cape Town to Kleinbaai and how long is the drive to Kleinbaai?
160 km from Cape town and roughly 2 hours drive.
Is breakfast and lunch included?
Yes, we serve a continental breakfast, a picnic lunch and drinks on the boat and freshly homemade backed scones, bread and hot homemade fresh vegetable soup after the trip.
Do you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes, let us know what your dietary requirements are and we will cater for them.
Is diving gear provided?
Yes all the equipment that you need is provided, you are also welcome to bring your own gear along if you wish.
Do we dive with air?
No. The sharks don’t like the bubbles in the water and will stay far away should we use air.
Do we require a license or diving experience?
No, diving or swimming experience is no needed. The cage is attached to the boat at all times and you will always be at arms length of the crew.
How big is the cage (how many people can it take on one time?
Our cage is 3.5m long and can take up to 6 divers at a time.
How long do you spend in the cage?
Roughly 30 to 45 minutes.
How far in advance should one book?
A day or two in advance is acceptable. We will do our best to get you on the water and in the cage..
Can we rent an underwater camera?
Yes, we have underwater cameras available at the crew house .
Do you have a videographer on every trip?
Yes, we have a full time videographer ready for action.
How can I pay?
Payments can be made in three different ways.
Credit Card
Cash
Internet Transfer
Do you have public liability should anything happen?
Yes, we have all the measures in place.
Where is Dyer Island and Geyser Rock?
Dyer Island and Geyser rock are roughly 10 kilometres from the Kleinbaai harbour and it takes 20 minutes from time of launch to time of arrival.
When is the low season for sharks?
January to March, however shark activity still continues and you can come and see Great White Sharks during this time.
When is high season for sharks?
May to October is the best time to see the sharks.
Why is winter better than summer?
Our water is warmer in winter and the visibility better. Winter is also the time when the sharks hunt around the island for seals.
I don’t want to get in the cage, can I still see the sharks?
Seeing Great White Sharks from the boat is equally as good as getting in the cage. With our viewing deck you will not be disappointed. Coming on the boat does not mean you have to get into the cage, the choice is yours. Everybody will be given the opportunity to get in the cage if they wish.
What qualifications do we have?
We have a registered tour operator. We have all qualifications laid down by code of conduct.
• Registered Guides
• Dive Masters
• Medics
• Skippers
• PDP bus drivers
Are you prepared in case of an emergency?
Yes, we have fully qualified first aid staff onboard the boat as well as on land. We are in permanent contact with land via Cell phone and Radio communication. We have all the necessary equipment onboard, like fire extinguishers, first aid kits, life jackets and life rafts.
Do I have to bring my own diving equipment?
No, we supply everything, including towels but you are welcome to bring your own.
What kind of boat do you use?
12.5 metre LeeCat, licenced to carry 36 people
Are your boats safe?
Yes, our boats are all inspected by the SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority) and conform to their standards. We also perform maintenance tasks on all our vessels on a bi-weekly to a monthly basis.
Are your cages safe?
Yes, the cages are made from galvanised steel and have all passed the specifications set by the Department of Environmental Affairs: Branch - Oceans and Coasts, Republic of South Africa.
Do you offer accommodation?
No we do not offer accommodation ourselves, but we do work closely with all the guest houses and hotels in the Overberg region as well as in Cape Town. We can make reservations on your behalf at any hotel or guest house of your choice.
Do sharks attack the cage?
No, the sharks do not attack the cage and they are not even remotely interested in the people in the cage.
How much does it cost?
Adults: R1700 per person
. Children Under 12: R750 per person
What should we bring along?
• Polaroid Sunglasses
• Sunblock
• Warm Jacket (We also provide jackets if you don’t have one)
• A Hat
• Sea-Sick Tablets, if you are prone to getting seasick
What size are the sharks?
Sharks range anything from 2.5m – 5m.
How many sharks will we see?
May to August, we can get up to 20 sharks at a time. The water visibility is very good over these months allowing you to see them better.
Is cage diving always possible?
No, during the summer months (off peak season) the water may be too dirty to put the cage in the water, but surface viewing will allow you to view the animal up close.
Do I get a refund if we do not see sharks?
Because we are dealing with wild animals, it is not possible to refund, but another trip is offered free of charge with transport from Cape Town.
What else can we see at Dyer Island?
You will be able to see up to 60 000 cape fur seals, birdlife, penguins and whales from May to November. We also come across large groups of Common Dolphins on occasion as well as
Do you have transport for clients?
Yes, we pick up in Cape Town and drop off using our shuttle service.
When is the best time to see White Sharks?
May to October is the best time to see Great White Sharks, but you can see them all year round.
How cold is the water?
Generally 15-20 degrees Celsius or 59-68 degrees Fahrenheit
How long do we have to wait for the Sharks to appear and how long do they stay around the boat?
We work with wild animals and have no control over their movements. The average waiting time is between 10 minutes and 1 hour. And we can not guarantee how long a shark will stay around. Everyday is different and we will do our best to show you the sharks.
Is Shark Cage Diving safe?
Yes. It is one of the safest activities around. The South African cage-diving industry is regulated by a Code of Conduct and regulations from the Department of Environmental Affairs: Branch - Oceans and Coasts, Republic of South Africa.
Is Shark viewing and cage-diving a good thing?
Yes, if it is done in the correct manner. It is an observation platform to observe the sharks, which in turn promotes the conservation and education around the animals. This is not an adrenaline rush as some companies advertise and as the newspapers would like you to believe, it is only a good thing if it is promoted as a conservation minded excursion and dealt with in the same manner.
How deep is the cage in the water?
The cage is attached to the boat at all times, with at least 60 centimetres above the water. The rest of the cage is submerged and about 2 metres deep.
Does the cage have a lid?
No, in our 15 years experience we have never had an incident where sharks jump in or on the cage.
Do I get a discount for only doing surface viewing without going into the cage?
No. Our guests pay for the space on the boat, whether they remain on the boat or decide to go into the Shark cage. We only have one price.
Can I bring alcohol on the boat?
No. Alcohol is not allowed on our vessel. Alcohol is probably the best sea-sickness inducer, and we would recommend that you severely reduce your alcohol intake the night before your excursion to avoid any disappointing and uncomfortable condition on the boat.
What can I do to avoid sea-sickness?
Sea sick tablets can be purchased at any pharmacy around the country.
Can I smoke on the boat?
Yes. But keep in mind that there are non smokers and children on the boat. There is a demarcated area if you need to smoke.