A Review of Shark Cage Diving Tour with Marine Dynamics in Gansbaai, South Africa
When I was surfing in Muizenberg, Cape Town, shark alarms went off almost every day. I heard plenty of stories about past shark attacks, and people advised me not to venture too far out while surfing. Naturally, I became fearful of great white sharks, even though I had never actually seen one up close. And honestly, you don’t want to encounter a great white while you’re in the water surfing…
South Africa is one of the few places in the world where you can experience shark cage diving to see great white sharks in their natural environment. What sets this country apart is that the sharks are just a 15-minute boat ride away, making it much more accessible—and more affordable—compared to other destinations. I found out that in Mexico, the sharks are an 18-hour boat ride away, which sounds insane!
Why I Chose Marine Dynamics for Shark Cage Diving in Gansbaai
When I first visited Cape Town three years ago, I didn’t opt for shark cage diving because I wasn’t sure about the ethical concerns surrounding it. I’m always cautious about activities that harm animals, such as elephant riding in Thailand, so I wanted to make sure that shark cage diving was not negatively affecting the sharks.
After doing some research, I found a tour company called Marine Dynamics. They are not only a shark cage diving company, but they also focus on research, conservation, and education. Plus they are Fair Tourism certified, ensuring responsible and sustainable tourism. A marine biologist accompanies every tour, providing guests with valuable information about the sharks and other marine life.
Marine Dynamics uses a luxury boat specifically designed for shark cage diving and operates the Great White House, which includes a restaurant, bar, and gift shop. Guests are provided with complimentary breakfast or lunch before and after the dive, along with snacks and drinks on board. They also offer a shuttle service from Cape Town to Gansbaai, about a two-hour drive away.
My Shark Cage Diving Experience in Gansbaai
I was thrilled to book a shark cage diving tour with Marine Dynamics, but there was one problem: the sharks were temporarily missing. Apparently, this had happened before, and no one really knows why the sharks had been absent for several weeks. Many other people chose to head to Mossel Bay for shark cage diving, but I was hopeful I’d get to see sharks while still in Cape Town.
After several canceled tours, I received a phone call from Marine Dynamics informing me that they had spotted sharks and would pick me up the following morning. The pick-up time was insanely early, or should I say, in the middle of the night. I actually had to ask the lady on the phone to repeat the time three times because I was convinced I’d heard it wrong. But nope, the pick-up time was 2:50 AM! But all the best things happen in the morning, like seeing the most beautiful sunrise of my life in Israel or hot air ballooning in Cappadocia!
The Boat Ride and Learning About Sharks
After a two-hour drive to Gansbaai, we had some time to relax and enjoy breakfast before boarding the boat. On the way to the diving spot, the marine biologist provided us with an informative explanation about the sharks and other marine life. As someone who’s passionate about nature and wildlife, I found it both educational and fascinating. For instance, I learned that great white sharks don’t survive in captivity, and I also discovered how to distinguish between male and female great whites.
The marine biologist was more than happy to answer any questions, and I was particularly curious to know if shark cage diving could be harmful to the sharks. It turns out it isn’t. They don’t feed the sharks; instead, they use fish oil, small baits, and sounds to attract them. Since sharks are naturally curious animals, they come to investigate what’s happening.
We were lucky enough to see a small great white shark. While winter might offer better chances to see more sharks, after a month with no sharks at all, we were thrilled to spot one! Unfortunately, I didn’t see the shark while in the cage because I was on the wrong side, and the shark always came to the other side. However, I managed to get some great footage from the deck!
The stingray seemed more interested in the bait than the shark, and I actually ended up seeing this little guy much more than the shark itself. It was quite amusing to watch the stingray persistently trying to grab the bait.
After everyone had their turn in the cage, we headed back to shore for lunch and were given more information about the research Marine Dynamics is involved in.
I really enjoyed the tour, but I’d recommend visiting in the winter instead. That’s when the sharks are hunting at the seal colony, so you’ll see more sharks, and the visibility is better. I hope to return to South Africa one day, and when I do, I’ll definitely plan my trip for the winter to experience shark cage diving again.
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2 comments
A really unqiue and cool experience, thanks for sharing! We did similar research and are going in the early spring in SA, really hoping to see some curious great whites! We are also going to be swimming with the shark’s prey, the seals. Trying to experience both ends of the food chain 😀
Early spring should be better for spotting the sharks. My timing was bad and there were not so many sharks around.