Diving Tours - Shark Cage Diving at Gansbaai | African Budget Safaris

DIVING TOURS - SHARK CAGE DIVING

If its big sharks you want, big sharks we have. African Budget Safaris have put together various packages depending on your required length of stay. The longer you stay the more you dive. Come and Experience the exhilaration diving with White Pointers of Dyer Island, Gansbaai, South Africa.

Where is Dyer Island?
A mere stone-throw away from the most southern tip of the African Continent. Approx. 12km offshore from Gansbaai (2hrs drive from Cape Town) we find Dyer Island which has become known as one of only two unique areas in the world, where the chances to view the great white shark is exceptionally high. Other wildlife species such as Cape Fur Seals, Cape Gannets, Cape Cormorants, Jackass penguins, whales and dolphins are also likely to be sighted.

What’s Involved?
Once anchored in the channel, we make use of a securely designed 6-man steel cage, which floats on the surface, with divers no more than 1m below the surface. Experienced divers are able to dive on scuba while inexperienced divers are able to enjoy the same experience on snorkel. Snorkelling is equally comfortable and safe.

White sharks are indeed surface feeders, providing brilliant surface viewing from the safety of the shark-viewing deck of the boat. Our shark handlers are trained to bring the shark’s close-up against the side of the boat, with the head and the jaws clearly visible.

The Boat
You will go out to see in a newly built stable catamaran, measuring 11 x 3.8 meters and therefore offering the ultimate stability at sea. Although she is licensed to carry a maximum of 30 passengers, we do not take more than 25 clients per tour. This not only ensures maximum comfort, but also ensures maximum cage diving time for all divers. Our boat offers state-of-the-art facilities which includes; sophisticated and securely structured 5-6-man steel cage, spacious cabin, large upper shark-viewing deck, sunbathing area, private lockable toilet, fresh water showers, private restroom with bed, fresh drinking water, wet deck and separate dry-deck for maximum comfort. She is fully licensed to SA safety standards and is equipped with 2 radios, radar equipment, navigation equipment, depth finder, echo sounder, medical first aid kit (including oxygen an fluid replacement), current safety equipment, life vests for all passengers and a 50-man life raft. Our boat, cage and life raft are inspected on an annual basis, ensuring maximum safety for all our passengers.

Safety
Each crewmember is highly qualified in his/her specific field and together have more than 15 years experience working with great white sharks. Crew qualifications consist of; A1 (1) commercially licensed skippers, level 3 Medics; Satour Registered specialised tour guides; Dive Masters and qualified shark handlers. All our crew have done SAMSA compliant Fire Fighters and Life-Raft Courses and our skippers are licensed with ICASA (independent Commission Authority of SA), as well as SAMSA (SA Maritime and Safety Authority). A step-by-step emergency flow chart is available inside the cabin of our vessel, at all times.

Photography
Capture this once-in-a-lifetime personal experience on film and take it home to show to your friends and family. We offer the services of a professional underwater videographer who is highly experienced in this field. Your personal experience will be captured on a high quality video / DVD (above and underwater) and a copy will be made available to you after the tour at a minimal cost.

The following items are for sale on the boat: underwater disposable camera's, T-Shirts, Peak Caps, Wine, Video's, DVD's etc. Please ask your tour guide on the day of the tour.

Best Season
Our tours run each and every day of the year, as Dyer Island is a good place to see the sharks all year round. The absolute best season is probably in our winter months, when sharks are particularly active in their feeding pattern. The following guideline is based on tours we have done over the past 8 years and months may overlap slightly.

PEAK SEASON: APRIL to OCTOBER (99% success rate)
HIGH SEASON: NOV. And DEC. (90 - 99% success rate)
INTERMEDIATE SEASON: JAN to MARCH. (80 - 90% success rate)

Water temperatures vary between 16 and 20 degrees Celsius during our high season, and between 10 and 16 degrees Celsius during our intermediate and low seasons.

OPTION 1 - 1 DAY TOUR - Full day Tour Leaving from Cape Town and Returning to Cape Town.

1 DAY TOUR - R 1350.00 p/p (Full day tour, incl. transfers)
Should our transfers not be required, please deduct R250.00 p/p, off the above rate. Should you require a car please contact African Budget Safaris for details on car hire.

INCLUDES:
1. Luxurious return transfers from Cape Town (Air-conditioned, Mercedes Sprinter Bus)
2. Tasty packed breakfast served on-board our bus.
3. Hot tea and coffee upon our arrival in Gaansbaai.
4. A light lunch served upon our return.
5. Complimentary beer and wine to accompany your lunch;
6. A fast, yet safe 20-minute boat ride to Dyer Island.
7. Snacks, drinks and sweets on-board the boat.
8. Educational presentation and safety briefing.
9. Diving equipment and wet suits available at no additional cost.
10. Scuba diving in the cage for experienced divers.
11. Assisted snorkelling in cage for inexperienced divers.
12. Spectacular surface viewing for non-divers.
13. View the Cape Fur Seals and African Penguins from the boat (subject to good weather conditions).
14. Complimentary Shark Project Workbook, sponsored by Dr. Erich Ritter, (while stocks last).
15. Logbook stamp after the tour.
16. Enjoy land-based whale watching in Hermanus (July - Dec).
17. Drop-off at Cape Town International Airport at no additional cost.
18. En-route tour of the indigenous fynbos in the Overberg area, the export apple orchards of Elgin and the informal settlements in Cape Town.
19. DVD's, video's, underwater camera's, T-shirts, P-caps and various other gifts on sale;
20. Purchase a high quality copy of your own personal shark diving experience, after the tour. This is available on video or DVD.

Persons not making use of our transfers, will receive a packed breakfast upon arrival and a light lunch after the tour.

EXCLUDES: Towel, seasick tablets.

APPROXIMATE ITINERARY:
- Door-to-door collection from the Cape Town metropolitan area. Light packed breakfast served on-board the bus.
- Arrival at our Coffee Shop, where we will enjoy a cup of hot coffee, while the safety briefing and other formalities takes place.
- The boat launches from Kleinbaai harbour. 20 min later, anchor in or nearby "Shark Alley".
- Return to Kleinbaai harbour.
- A light lunch is enjoyed while viewing the video of the day. A copy of your own personal experience is available after the tour.

Please note: Due to tides and collection schedules, we can only confirm exact collection times at 16h00 the day prior to your tour.

WHAT TO BRING: Towel, warm weatherproof clothing, sunscreen and hat, camera and binoculars, seasick tablets and dive card.

OPTION 2

2-DAY TOUR - R 3200.00 P/P, (R175 single supplement if necessary.)
(2 days, 1 night, incl. transfers)
Should our transfers not be required, please deduct R250.00 p/p, off the above rate. Should you require a car please contact African Budget Safaris for details on car hire.

INCLUDES:
• 2 x days shark diving
• 1 x night's comfortable accommodation
• Return road transfers from Cape Town
• Breakfast; light lunch, snacks and drinks on board
• Diving gear / equipment and approx. 5 hours at sea.

EXCLUDES:
Dinner, towel, seasick tablets

ITINERARY - 2 DAY TOUR:
On day 1 you will be collected from your accommodation in Cape Town for the two-hour journey to Gansbaai. On-board the bus you will be served a tasty packed breakfast, while enjoying the scenery. Formalities and safety briefing is completed upon our arrival at the harbour before the boat departs. Depending on shark activity and weather conditions, the duration of the tour out at sea is approx. 5 hours. Snacks and drinks are served on-board the boat and a light lunch is served upon our return to shore. You are returned to your Guest House to freshen up before dinner. On day 2 you will be collected from your Guest House and transferred to the harbour where the boat will await you. After the tour you will be returned to your own accommodation in Cape Town. Please make sure your luggage is ready and packed at your accommodation, before leaving on your shark tour on day two. (Exact times will be confirmed the day prior to the tour).

ACCOMMODATION
The accommodation we offer is an up-market and comfortable B+B, overlooking the unspoiled traditional fishing harbour in Gansbaai. On-site facilities include an A’la Carte Restaurant, fully licensed bar, fax / internet facilities, swimming pool and plenty more. This accommodation is already included in you package tour, based on two persons sharing. Non-sea facing suites.

Luxury Accommodation:
The same B+B as above, except that you will be able to enjoy the extensive sea views across the bay from the privacy of your own suite. Additional cost for sea-facing suite.
Additional R375.00 p/p applicable to upgrade to this option.
Single supplement - R225.00 p/p, p/night.

TRANSFERS ON PACKAGE TOURS
Please note that our shuttle from Cape Town to Gansbaai only runs on days when the weather allows the shark diving tour to go ahead. Should you be booked on a multiple day package tour, which includes our return transfers, you will only be transported to your accommodation in Gansbaai if and when the tour is scheduled to go ahead. Should the weather not allow us to go ahead on day 1 of your tour, our shuttle will not run to Gansbaai and your first night's accommodation in Gansbaai would therefore be cancelled and deducted off your total tour price. This means that you would have to arrange an alternative night/s accommodation in Cape Town, until the weather allows us to go ahead.

WHAT TO BRING: Towel, warm weatherproof clothing, sunscreen and hat, camera and binoculars, seasick tablets and dive card.

PLEASE NOTE:
As Shark Diving is weather dependant we cannot guarantee you that you will be able to go out to sea should the seas be to rough. Should this happen you will be able to extend your accommodation booking at your own expense and wait for the weather to settle, or should the likelihood of the seas be to rough in the extended forecast you will be able to cancel your remaining accommodation and will be entitled to a refund pertaining to the Shark dive and accommodation. (You will still be liable for the transfer costs.)

OPTION 3

3-DAY TOUR - R 4700.00 P/P (R175 single supplement per night if required.)
(3 days, 2 night's)
Should our transfers be required, an additional R400.00 p/p would apply

INCLUDES:
• 3 days shark diving
• 2 night's comfortable accommodation
• Breakfast; light lunch, snacks and drinks on board
• Diving gear / equipment and approx. 5 hours at sea.

EXCLUDES: Dinner, towel, seasick tablets

ACCOMMODATION: The accommodation we offer is an up-market and comfortable B+B, overlooking the unspoiled traditional fishing harbour in Gansbaai. On-site facilities include an A’la Carte Restaurant, fully licensed bar, fax / internet facilities, swimming pool and plenty more. This accommodation is already included in you package tour, based on two persons sharing. Non-sea facing suites.

Luxury Accommodation:
The same B+B as above, except that you will be able to enjoy the extensive sea views across the bay from the privacy of your own suite. Additional cost for sea-facing suite.
Additional R375.00 p/p applicable to upgrade to this option.
Single supplement - R225.00 p/p, p/night.

TRANSFERS ON PACKAGE TOURS: Please note that our shuttle from Cape Town to Gansbaai only runs on days when the weather allows the shark diving tour to go ahead. Should you be booked on a multiple day package tour, which includes our return transfers, you will only be transported to your accommodation in Gansbaai if and when the tour is scheduled to go ahead. Should the weather not allow us to go ahead on day 1 of your tour, our shuttle will not run to Gansbaai and your first night's accommodation in Gansbaai would therefore be cancelled and deducted off your total tour price. This means that you would have to arrange an alternative night/s accommodation in Cape Town, until the weather allows us to go ahead.

WHAT TO BRING: Towel, warm weatherproof clothing, sunscreen and hat, camera and binoculars, seasick tablets and dive card

PLEASE NOTE:
Should you wish to extend your Shark Dive Package please contact African Budget Safaris for details. It is recommended however to hire a car for longer packages as Gaansbaai is quite a distance from the nearest town and a car gives to the flexibility to explore the surrounding areas.

As Shark Diving is weather dependant we cannot guarantee you that you will be able to go out to sea should the seas be to rough. Should this happen you will be able to extend your accommodation booking at your own expense and wait for the weather to settle, or should the likelihood of the seas be to rough in the extended forecast you will be able to cancel your remaining accommodation and will be entitled to a refund pertaining to the Shark dive and accommodation. (You will still be liable for the transfer costs.)

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