Shark cage diving & whale watching: Gansbaai combo

You descend into the cage while the boat's crew chums the water and Great Whites arrive.

Shark cage diving and whale watching combination in Gansbaai, Western Cape, where you suit up, enter an underwater cage to watch Great White sharks at close range, then take a separate boat trip to see migrating whales in their natural habitat. The two activities can run back-to-back in a single day or split across two days. Breakfast, lunch, wetsuits and snacks are included. A guide in English leads both parts.

The experience

The dive starts at the Gansbaai diving centre, about two and a half hours south of Cape Town. After breakfast and a safety briefing, you walk three minutes to Kleinbaai Harbour where the boat waits. Once anchored at the dive site, the crew begins chumming the water to draw sharks. When they arrive, divers descend into the cage while those staying on deck watch from the boat. You'll spend roughly three to four hours at sea, with drinks and snacks available on board. Lunch and a DVD follow your return to shore.

The whale watching trip runs separately, either later the same day or on a second day. You choose at booking. The boat outing lasts about two hours on average. The crew provides information throughout, and light snacks and beverages are served on board. Gansbaai sits near the Dyer Island Group, home to 50,000 Cape fur seals and the world's largest year-round population of Great Whites. Whales migrate to these waters from June through early December to calve and raise their young before returning to Antarctic waters.

What’s included

• Breakfast and lunch.
• snacks and beverages throughout both activities.
• wetsuits and mask for diving.
• a guide in English for the shark cage dive and whale watching portions.
• boat transport to the dive site and whale watching departure.

Options for this experience

2 options

Combination of shark cage diving and shark viewing plus whale watching toursGuide in English · 07:00Pickup is included

Shark and Whale ComboGuide in English · 07:00

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (5 to 80 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Shark Zone

Is this one for you?Book this if you want shark cage diving and whale watching from one operator on the same day, rather than coordinating with two separate companies.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long does the shark cage diving part take on its own?

Shark cage diving runs for roughly three to four hours at sea, including the boat ride to the site, the time in and around the cage, and the return to shore. Breakfast happens before you board, and lunch follows when you return.

Can I do both the shark diving and whale watching on the same day?

Yes, the combo can run in a single day or split across two days. You decide which arrangement suits your schedule when you book.

What happens if I don't want to go in the cage?

Viewing from the boat is also available. You stay on deck while the cage is in the water and watch the sharks from there. The experience remains included in your booking.

What's included in the price?

Breakfast, lunch, snacks, beverages, wetsuits and a mask are all included. A guide in English leads both the diving and whale watching portions.

When do whales appear in Gansbaai waters?

Whales migrate to South African waters from June through early December. They arrive from the Antarctic Ocean to calve and raise their calves, then begin the return journey at the end of November or beginning of December.

Is transportation from Cape Town included?

Pickup is included in at least one option at checkout. Confirm which option includes transport when you select your booking.