Cdnfolks

We are receiving conflicting reports on when the Great Whites leave the Dyer Island area. We had hoped to do a cage dive the last week of Sept., but don't want to spend the money if the shark sightings are rare at that time of year. Any advice/experiences?

annhig

hi,cdn,

don't want to get into a political discussion but do you really want to do this? some thoughts are that it encourages sharks to approach humans - not good for either species, probably! also, not very ecological generally, as it interfers with the ways the sharks normally behave.

also, I'm a wimp!

regards, ann

sandi

We visited in November and did have some good sightings, believe it was three sharks at different times. While I didn't suit up and get into the cage (my mom didn't raise a fool), my partner and the others on the boat did and loved it. I played photographer from atop. Some of those who went in had waterproof cameras and got some interesting stuff, though the water itself was murky.

Know that the water is very very cold, immediately apparent when you just feel that heavy wetsuit.

Did learn, however, that it's never guaranteed, even with chum baiting, the sharks will come. The group out the day prior didn't have as much luck as we did.

Don't know what they're charging these days (we were in '01 - believe it was $90 - $125/person), and even though I didn't get in, it was a beautiful day, great scenery along the drive to/from Gaansbai and lots of fun.

You're going to Africa and no one can guarantee game on land or in the water.

jasher

Hello,

If you'd like to do this, most people recommend overnighting in Gansbaai rather than doing a day-trip from Cape Town -- as Sandi pointed out, there are no guarantees, and with an overnight you'll have two chances at seeing the sharks.

Cheers,
Julian

sandi

Overnighting might be nice, all depending on what you have scheduled the followng day. And, as to a "second chance" you're going to have to pay to go out again! Besides, the boat crew (as we gathered) usually don't stay out at Gaansbai; with doing transfers from CPT, they head back to the CPT area at end of each day returning their passengers.

We actually departed late the day we drove to Gaansbai, leaving about 9am, arriving 11-11:15am. Had brunch/lunch and then onto the boat. We returned to the dock at between 4-5pm, did some shopping in town and then drove to CPT. Brought our waterproof camera in for developing and picked up the pics an hour later.

By 8:30pm we were having dinner.

jasher

Hello Sandi,

This may not have been true when you were there, but nowadays many outfitters will take you out again for free if you don't see sharks on your first outing.

Cheers,
Julian

sandi

J - Isn't that nice or them! Good to know. Thnx.

jasher

Hi Sandi,

Well, they had to find some way of justifying the price increases! It seems that people often do see the sharks on the first go, in which case it doesn't cost them anything and people are willing to pay a bit more for the guarantee.

Cheers,
Julian

sandi

Julian -

I'm curious, what are they charging these days for the 1/day activity? And does the additional fee for second day, include hotel accommodations?

thit_cho

I have been twice, once on May (when we saw a few sharks, but they didn't stay around long enough to warrant a visit into the cage) and in August (when we saw lots of sharks, and I was able to get into the cage). On both occasions, I did it as a day trip from Cape Town, and I found it easy (the operator provided roundtrip transport). I went with White Shark Ecoventures on my second trip (I was unhappy with my first operator, who I won't mention).

Michael

Cdnfolks

We have researched various companies and
have decided on White Shark Ecoventures.
The day rate is R 1375 including transport from Capetown. I liked the idea that we could pay cash day of trip
and can cancel up to 24 hrs ahead. They advertise that in the event of no sightings, they offer 50% off a second tour.

thit_cho

Excellent choice. I had Robert Cope as my guide (in August 2003) and from their website, it looks like he's still there -- he was great (very enthusiastic, even taking his own photos of the sharks) and we even stopped for whale watching in Hermanus on the return.

blackwell

we went out on a shark dive out of simonstown to see the great whites breach out of the water .went in sept .water swo ruff we had to come back in .best made plans you know the rest