Great White Shark Diving
It is possible to view the Great White shark reliably at two places in the Western Cape – right here in False Bay and two hours from Cape Town at Gaansbaai. The season for viewing Great Whites in False Bay is shorter than up at Gaansbaai, but if you are here at the right time of the year, we highly recommend the False Bay option for the following reasons:
- You might witness a breach which is a highly unusual method of predation – Seal Island in False Bay is arguably the best place on the planet to see this activity: where White Sharks clear the water as they hunt the Cape Fur seals.
- If you have limited time in Cape Town, you could do the early morning trip (best for breaches and predations) or the afternoon trip and still have the other half of the day for other activities – such as viewing the African Penguins at Boulders Beach, or taking a drive to the Cape Point Nature Reserve which is only fifteen minutes drive from Simonstown.
- You will have a more informative, longer and less “commercial” experience here in False Bay. There are only three shark operators in False Bay as opposed to the ten at Gaansbaai. Also, the group size in False Bay is smaller – between six and twelve, whereas up in Gaansbaai there can be up to 30 clients on the boat at once.
- Finally, you avoid spending four to five hours of the day in a bus!
We have established relationships with operators in both locations who we believe to be the best – and we have been on all the boats! We will work out where your best chances of seeing sharks are and advise you accordingly. In the very unlikely even of not seeing sharks, you will be treated to spectacular views of seal island at dawn with its 64,000 seals, dolphins and whales are seen commonly, as well as a number of different seabird species.
Prices fluctuate, there are high and low season rates and sometimes specials for groups – we will let you know the current rates for Gansbaai and False Bay at the time of your enquiry or proposed visit to Cape Town.