StefR

Planning out our trip to South Africa in early April and we have just 4 days in Cape Town.

For those who have done it, was the day spent on a shark trip worth the time and money?

Some background: I will probably not go in the cage but my husband would. We are planning on spending one full day in the winelands and one full day on the penisula so that leaves just 2 days to explore. Doing the shark diving would take up the better part of a day (from what I understand). Ive heard April is not the best time for shark viewing but that information seems to be unconfirmed.


Help! What are the fodorites opinions?

thit_cho

In my opinion, it is DEFINITELY worth spending the day cage diving. Lots of countries have winelands, but very few, if any others, offer such easy cage diving. I have done it twice, and I would go cage diving again. Its a lot of fun. I went last with White Shark Ecoventures, and I recommend them. On my last trip, there were 12 or so on the boat, and only 4 of us got in the cage (separately), so no issue if you want to remain on the boat. Even if April isn't the best month, if its the only month available to you, take it.

Michael

sandi

My partner went into the cage twice. The first with one of the other on the boat, the second on his own. I don't do water, so stayed up top and took great photos. He took some pretty good pics below (waterproof camera) considering the water was murky.

Even I found it a thrilling day and well worth my time.

We too used White Shark Eco, at Michael above. And as Michael mentions, it's one of the few places where this can be done so easily. Do it and you'll have amazing tales to tell once home.

RAG1011

My daughter and I also went with White Shark ecoventures in Nov. 2004. It was a nice ride from Cape Town and the Shark dive was very exciting. It was the best money I've ever spent. My daughter took pictures and read a book, while I waited to get in the cage. We only had 6 shark sightings and only two pairs had a chance to get into the cage, but it was a real rush seeing that shark coming up out of the darkness and going after the bait with its mouth wide open. One swam next to boat and I think I could have reached down and touched it. The shark dive was the highlight of my South African trip. Before I booked our trip I emailed White Shark and asked them the percentage of trips at that time of year that had sightings. They should be able to tell you what your chances are for your trip. Lastly, it is an all day trip. They picked us up in the morning at our hotel in the V&A waterfront, and we returned just after dark.

mkhonzo

yes, yes and yes again. I could have stayed in the cage all day. It is an truly thrilling experience.
You should go in the cage, bizzare how safe you feel.

StefR

Thanks very much. Looks like everyone has had a positive experience.

Karen246

Unless it is peak season wait to book till the day before - we booked that morning after speaking with some people at the hotel to get an update on recent trips. The tour operaters will tell you that sharks are being seen each day but that's not true so well worth getting an independent view. Awesome experience but expect to sit and wait for a few hours until a shark(s) turns up - however we were there in Feb which was low season for shark sightings - but it will be great