Our drive through the city centre takes us past famous landmarks such as the Castle of Good Hope built in 1666 by the Dutch East India Company, City Hall, a baroque building, and the Grand Parade. As we follow the city’s main thoroughfare, Adderley Street, we will see St. George’s Cathedral, the Anglican Diocese of Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu. We will pass the Company Gardens and the Malay Quarter [also known as the Bo-Kaap] which means “Above Cape” because of its location up against the slopes of Table Mountain. In the early 18th century, thousands of slaves from Java, Ceylon and other Far Eastern regions were brought to Cape Town. After slavery was abolished, their descendants, known as the Cape Malay’s, settled here. Continue to join a sparkling tour, witness the art of diamond cutting and the careful craftsmanship of jewellery manufacturing by skilled experts. Discover the history of the Diamond and Gold Trade in South Africa. You will be offered the option of continuing to Table Mountain, where you can ascend to the top [weather permitting] by revolving cable car. See wildflowers, the famous silver tree, and marvel at a birds-eye view of the city and its beaches. On a clear day it is even possible to see Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on one side and Cape Point on the other.

This enchanting excursion begins with a tour through historic Stellenbosch, an architectural jewel that serves as the historic heart of the country’s wine region. A gracious blend of 18-century Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian buildings is evident as we drive down Dorp Street, where massive Oaks still shade original water furrows, then enjoy a wine tasting in the Stellenbosch area. Return to Cape Town in the late afternoon.

Collection early morning from your hotel in Cape Town,  and proceed towards Gansbaai – approximately 2 hours drive from Cape Town.

You will be met  at the Great White House in Kleinbaai before your trip. There are bathroom facilities, as well as a restaurant and gift shop here. Kleinbaai is a residential suburb of Gansbaai, with its own slipway.

Dyer Island is a 25 minute boat ride off shore.

What is a typical trip?

Breakfast (included in the price) is provided at the restaurant before the boat launch. Every trip is preceded by a brief introductory talk about the route and what to look to out for. Passengers are fitted with comfortable inflatable life-jackets. Safety is of the utmost importance. We have extensive public liability insurance.

We usually launch around 9:00 am in the morning (note that launching times may vary due to tide and weather conditions), arriving at the anchoring spot in 20 to 25 minutes. The anchor is lowered, the cage goes into the water, a scent trial is made, and we settle down. Final preparations for the diving are made, and the rest of the day is spent watching, diving and enjoying the day

After spending time with the sharks, we make our way to Dyer Island. At Dyer Island we can approach close enough to view African penguins, Cape cormorants and many other species. We also often spot giant petrels, Cape gannets, whitechinned petrels and storm petrels.

Neighbouring Dyer Island is Geyser Rock, home to 60,000 Cape Fur Seals. The stretch of water between the two islands is Shark Alley. We visit Shark Alley to view the seals. The colony is thriving and there is always lots of activity, especially around November time when the tiny pups are born.

At about 16:00, depending on the day, we head back to land. Should you wish to return to shore earlier, a transfer can be arranged.

After about 3 to 4 hours, depending on the day, we head back to land. Should you wish to return to shore earlier, a transfer can be arranged.

What should you bring? 

· Warm clothing as it is cooler at sea than on land.
· Sunscreen & cap/hat.
· Please use anti-seasick medication well in advance if you are prone to motion sickness.

Can sharks be viewed throughout the year?

Great white shark viewing is better at certain times of the year. When dealing with wild animals every day is different and even in low season it is possible to have amazing shark sightings. Boat trips are dependent on weather conditions and it is advisable to have more than one day set aside for shark viewing. We recommend serious shark enthusiasts and photographers/videographers book for a few boat trips.

Best sightings are May to September.
The chances of seeing sharks are 90% or more. During winter stormy weather is a fact of life, and this can prevent us from going out to sea.

December to March is considered the “low” season. Sightings can vary daily from very good to below average. With wildlife there are no guarantees.

Water and weather conditions

The water temperature can be anywhere between 12º C and 20º C.

Visibility is usually 6 – 8 m, but it can go up to 12 – 15 m on a good day and down to 2-3 m on a bad day.

The Cage

The cage is made out of a 25 mm galvanised mild steel frame and covered with 10 mm galvanised mild steel security mesh.

It has no sharp edges on which a shark can injure itself.

The cage is secured to the side of the boat. Buoys keep the top of the cage above the water surface.

The sharks do not try and attack the cages or try to bite the divers inside the cage. They do sometimes bite the cages in an exploratory manner, and sometimes also have a good look at the divers inside the cage. It is not in the nature of the shark to attack the cage or the diver inside.

How are sharks attracted to the boat ?

We strive toward zero impact diving, to enjoy the magnificent sharks, yet to be environmentally responsible. In order to attract the sharks to the boat it is necessary to lay down a scent trail for them to follow. Our “chumming” consists out of a bait bag (chumsicle) containing only fish products. This makes a very light scent trail for the sharks to follow. Fish is attached to a bait line to lure the sharks to the boat. The sharks are not fed as the bait is pulled away as they approach.

Photography and film making

We are particularly sensitive to the needs of serious underwater photographers and film makers, our crew is familiar with special requirements and always prepared to help get that special shot or footage.

We supply diving equipment however, serious photographers and filmmakers usually bring their own drysuits.

FREE PENGUIN VISIT

Guests are welcome to visit our African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary at no extra charge.

A light lunch or breakfast included before the trip, as well as home made soup and bread after the trip. Snacks and drinks provided on the boat trip.

This day offers a fascinating look at the different cultures of the Cape.

Highlights Include:

• Drive through District Six
• The District Six Museum – If open*
• Bo Kaap
• Experience a local community church on Sunday (optional)*

The Bo Kaap

Join us for a unique experience travelling through the three South Africa’s – The birth, where it all started, Apartheid South Africa, what happened then – the New South Africa, what is different since Nelson Mandela was released from prison. Departing from Cape Town city centre, the first stop is in the Bo Kaap. Here we discuss the arrival of an expedition of Dutch sailors in 1652 that proved to be a monumental turning point in the South African history.

Taking a short walk along the romantic cobble stone streets between the brightly coloured homes, your tour guide explains how the framework for racial segregation was established. Passing some of Cape Town’s landmarks, a short drive brings us to District 6 where we elaborate on the next tier in the South African story i.e. Apartheid South Africa.

District 6 and Langa

Once in District 6, we drive through the now decaying ruins of what once was a flourishing mixed-race community where 60 000 people lived and worked but was demolished only to be reserved exclusively for white people. The tour continues to Langa, the oldest Black African Township in Cape Town. Along the way we elaborate on the restrictive legislation introduced by the Apartheid regime to enforce racial segregation. On arrival in Langa, we have a photo stop at the site that commemorates the student uprising of 1976; discuss the Pass Laws and the barracks built for African migrant workers.

If conducted on a Sunday morning, the tour includes a short visit to one of the local churches. Here guests are immersed into the charisma and vibrancy of how religion is practiced in the townships. While in Langa, we also share the miracle of our country when Nelson Mandela convinced us to forgive so that we can free ourselves. We also offer our groups a greater understanding of Shanty Town that exploded with the massive migration of mothers and children into the cities restoring black dignity at the end of Apartheid.

Morning or Afternoon Tour Entrance fees to District Six Museum included [ Closed on a Sunday ]

Bring your camera; we’re headed for Cape Point at the southwestern tip of the Cape Peninsula, and the most spectacular views in the world. The drive there is just as inspiring, passing steep mountains’, secluded coves and sweeping beaches, as well as villages and fishing communities.

Our tour begins with a scenic drive along the Atlantic coast, passing through the cosmopolitan suburbs of Sea Point and Camps Bay with its glorious views of the Twelve Apostles, part of the Table Mountain range. We’ll continue to the fishing village of Hout Bay, one of Cape Town’s best-kept secrets. Here there is an option to take a short boat trip to Seal Island (for own account & time permitting) to view the Cape Fur Seals, which inhabit the island. From here we travel to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, comprising over 17,300 acres of indigenous fauna and flora.  Here we can see a variety of wildlife that includes baboons, Reebok, Cape Mountain zebra, bontebok and the elusive eland. The reserve is also one of the world’s largest breeding grounds for tortoises. Birdwatchers, too, will find many fine species to observe.

The majestic coastline offers drama worthy of being called “Nature’s Greatest Show.” We’ll be able to see the union of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans (as per legend) and may even feel the brisk wind that is dubbed the “Cape Doctor” for its presumed curative powers. Following the coastline along False Bay, we’ll return to Cape Town by way of Simon’s Town, where we visit the Penguin colony at Boulders Beach (for own account) and Fish Hoek fishing village. We return to Cape Town, passing the University of Cape Town, Rhodes Memorial, and the Groote Schuur Hospital.