In gansbaai, the largest white shark ever caught was at danger point and measured up to 5. Nov 20, 2018 there is no better place in the world to go on an ocean safari than in africa, particularly south africa with its incredible whale watching opportunities, unforgettable shark cage diving experiences. We are a shark cage diving operation in gansbaai, sa, offering guests white and copper shark cage diving and surface viewing. In general, the best time of the year to view the great white sharks in the gansbaai area is between june and september when the visibility in the water is at its. In general, the best time of the year to view the great white sharks in the gansbaai area is between june and september when the visibility in the water is at its best and many migrating sharks come to spend a few months around dyer island. White shark africa have learned their trade from the gansbaai shark cage diving industry and run their trips in a very similar way. Flying great white sharks, seal island, cape town in south africa with dive discovery. In south africa, great white sharks in false bay do not stay at seal island yearround although their food sources, cape fur seals, live at the island year round. The high season for great white sharks at seal island, false bay is from june thru september. For adrenalin junkies planning a visit to south africa, a close encounter with a great white shark is a bucket list adventure not to be missed. Although gansbaai is known as the capital of the great white shark, our tours also offer highly successful dives with copper sharks bronze whalers as well as large stingrays.
When is the best time to visit to see great white sharks. Great white shark lurches out of the water in south africa. Shark cage diving in south africa takes place throughout the year with the best visibility being during the south african winter months, although visiblity is still excellent during the summer months. The great white shark season in simons town, cape town starts around 15 january to 15 september every year. In 1991, south africa became the first country to grant legal protection to great white sharks, and since then shark viewing and cage diving have become a major tourist industry along its southern coast, hosting more than 80,000 visitors a year and helping to contribute tens. Simons town false bay, now has two seasons, shark season and great white shark season. Season will reopen in simons town on the 16th may 2020 the boat leaves before dawn as this is the best time of day to see great white sharks hunt. Great white shark tours gansbaai gansbaai, south africa. Great white sharks abandon cape town with no explanation. Gansbaai is located just 2 12 hours from cape town and great white shark cage diving trips are generally offered throughout the year however great white shark sightings in gansbaai have been well below normal in the past few years with sightings of these rare. Another sighting of great white shark in false bay, after.
Sharks of south africa shark id, shark biology and behavior. Aug 30, 2019 south africa s false bay is a popular great white hunting ground but none have been spotted there this year invading orcas feasting on the livers of the great white sharks may be behind their. Johannesburg, south africa not a single great white shark has been spotted this year in a bay on south africas coast which, until recently. For the great white shark uses the now slowlyincreasing light levels in the water to detect and track any incoming groups of cape fur seals as they return to seal island after an evening or even up to four days feeding on the fish found beyond cape point. Great white shark tours gansbaai 2020 all you need to. Perhaps it is their imposing size, their graceful beauty. Welcome to shark diving in cape town, gansbaai, south africa great white cage shark diving in gansbaai south africa. We tailor packages to suit your requirements and these packages can be taken from february to september. Much shark research and viewing is conducted there.
There is good shark activity through the end of january. All great white shark diving trips launch from kleinbaai harbour, which is a couple of kilometers from gansbaai the white shark capital of the world. And believe it or not, the winter season is the best time to do this bucket list adventure. South africa is on lock down from midnight 26 march to midnight on the 30 april. Great white sharks migration patterns are fascinating. Dec 02, 2014 artist richard symonds cage diving and photographing great white sharks on board mike rutzens boat from gansbaai, south africa on november 2014. Shark cage diving in gansbaai, south africa with marine dynamics. Right where the shark diving operates in gansbaai, is one of the best places in the world to see whales right from the shore. The great white shark is certainly one of the most infamous marine species inhabiting the dyer island area. Great white sharks return to south africa the great projects. In 2004 a great white shark tagged in gansbaai migrated 11,000 km to western australia.
So the great white shark season for 2018 started at the end of may and ended mid august. Shark diving in mossel bay garden route south africa. Donna and alan stayed at birkenhead house in hermanus when they ventured out on a great white shark viewing adventure. A 20minute boat ride brings you to what locals call shark alley, and the largest concentration of great white sharks on earth. On the boat ride out the crew had already assigned us into 3 groups of 5 each. While orbitz may be affiliated with a particular property mentioned herein, the views expressed herein are the bloggers alone, and do not necessarily. Experience the exceptional and come face to face with a great white shark. Some ninetyeight species of sharks may be found in south africa. A similar study tracked a different great white shark from south africa swimming to australias northwestern coast and back, a journey of 20,000 km 12,000 mi. Due to the abundance of marine life off the cape coast many species of shark are attracted to the area. How to cage dive with great white sharks in south africa. Jan, 2010 tourist killed by dinosaursized shark off south african beach. The white shark africa eco program is a great white shark internship, that allows people from all walks of life with different skill sets to get involved with shark conservation the ultimate goals of the great white shark internship are education, public awareness, the advancement of shark science and the conservation of all shark species.
Flying great white sharks, seal island, south africa shark. Or perhaps it is the mysteries surrounding this spectacular shark that beckons us to. Dyer island, situated five nautical miles off the coast of gansbaai and a roughly 15minute boat ride away, is home to the sharks favourite food, seals, and consequently, the area has one of the densest known great white shark populations in south africa and even the world. The season is based on seasonal activity and may change according to great white shark behaviour. Seal island in mossel bay is only 2km from the harbour and very close to the local beach. Great white sharks cant live in captivity in aquariums because they become disoriented and collide with aquarium glass all the time. Water visibility degrades in the summer months, averaging 2 5m 6 15ft. Great white cage shark diving in gansbaai south africa shark diving can experienced by anyone from the safety of a cage, and no scuba certification required. White shark ventures great white shark cage diving white. Other records show that sharks from south africa sometimes swim all the way to australia.
But in 2016, andreotti and a group of colleagues released a groundbreaking paper after years of work estimating south africa s great white population. Since 1991, we have arranged trips to exotic locations utilizing the best dive and land adventure specialists. Cape towns worldfamous great whites have vanished, according to local shark spotters. Right where the shark diving operates in gansbaai, is one of the best places in the world. Please see our gansbaai and mossel bay shark diving tours to see the white sharks. A recently published study of great white shark populations in south africa has sparked widespread reports that the countrys iconic ocean predators are. Of the 4 to 6 thousand great white sharks off the coast of south africa, about are found in the gansbaai area, making this the best place. Dyer island with its endangered african penguins and migrating bird colonies and geyser rock with its resident colony of 60 000 cape fur seals. From az, some great white shark funfacts and interesting titbits that proves valuable as a precursor to shark cage diving with white shark diving company in. The exact world record white shark is a contested issue, but chances are it is between 67m. Mossel bay on the garden route has probably the most accessible great white sharks in the world. In general, the best time of the year to view the great white sharks in the.
Dive gansbaai, south africa and come face to face with sharks twice the size of grown men. Dyer island, situated five nautical miles off the coast of gansbaai and a roughly 15minute boat ride away, is home to the shark s favourite food, seals, and consequently, the area has one of the densest known great white shark populations in south africa and even the world. The company was founded more than 20 years ago by local legend brian mcfarlane, a professional diver and skipper who was involved with the sea, diamond diving, fishing and great white sharks for most of his life. About white shark africa white shark africa was founded in 1995 and has been running successfully ever since. The company has always had a great passion and love for the sharks and has often supported and assisted shark research in the area. Winter white shark season in gansbaai great white shark tours. Several locations in the western cape offer guided cage diving trips that allow you to come facetoface with the oceans most legendary apex predator without compromising your safety. Great white shark diving experiences great white sharks have always fascinated humans. Aug 28, 2019 great white sharks, which support south africas sharkdiving industry and have been responsible for a number of fatal attacks off cape town, havent been seen in the region for 18 months. Our copper sharks are fairly large in size and reach lengths of up to 3. Another white shark that was tagged off the south african coast swam to the southern coast of australia and back within the year. Inspired to explore more of south africa, including a shark swim of your own. Start your search for hotels in south africa with us. Great white shark diving and conservation white shark africa.
The az of south africas great white sharks cape town magazine. In gansbaai, known for shark alley we offer shark cage diving all year peak season for seeing sharks is mid april september, a bit depending on conditions and behavior. Tourist killed by dinosaursized shark off south african. Faq shark cage diving south africa marine dynamics. Shark diving can experienced by anyone from the safety of a cage, and no scuba certification required. A second sighting of a great white shark in false bay has been made by south african national parks sanparks marine biologist, dr alison kock. Each venue, namely seal island in false bay, home of the flying sharks, as in airjaws, and the famous dyer island near gansbaai, has its own well earned reputation.
South africa is one of the few white shark hot spots in the world, offering the best opportunities to observe these sharks in their natural environment. September is the height of the spectacular wildflower season which occurs up the coast north of cape town every springalso it is about the best time for whale watching. Reading online reports it seems to me the great white shark sigthings in false bay and gansbaai were very. Great white shark tours gansbaai all you need to know. Make sure you include this must do activity when you visit mosselbay. Great white sharks have abandoned south african hunting. Surfing with great white sharks at dungeons south africa. For the past three years, great white shark sightings in south africa have been quite uncertain. Shark cage diving in south africa, as mentioned above is highly regulated by the government and specifically the department of tourism and fisheries. The gansbaai coastline boasts the biggest concentration of great whites in a.
Shark cage diving in south africa can be enjoyed by the whole family, young and old. The winter season also coincides with the annual southern right and humpback. We are 3 friends who are interested in flying to cape town for some diving and also trying out cage diving with the great white sharks. We do not target great white sharks as they are protected in south african waters, however if they are inadvertently hooked while fishing for other species, we release. No scuba diving certification or qualification is needed to get into the cage to see great white sharks. Or their powerful predatory behaviour instilling pure fear in our hearts. White shark breaching shark adventures south africa. You dont have to be a certified diver to have an incredible adventure. Come face to face with great white andor copper sharks in gansbaais cool ocean watersor watch from the specially designed catamaran for a discounted price. Find all the answers to frequently asked questions about great white sharks and shark cage diving all here at marine dynamics. The ultimate guide to shark cage diving in cape town. Great white sharks are solitary animals live on their own. Gansbaai is located just 2 12 hours from cape town and great white shark cage diving trips are generally offered throughout the year however great white shark sightings in gansbaai have been well below normal in the past few years with sightings of these rare animals becoming unpredictable and sporadic.
Situated halfway between cape town and port elizabeth, beautiful mossel bay has abundant sea about read more. Great whites that live near the coast of south africa are famous for their majestic jumps from the water. Tours from great white shark tours tend to sell out travellers recommend booking in advance. Has the great white shark really vanished from cape town. Diving with great white sharks in south africa orbitz. Speaking to john maytham on cape talk, dr kock said she spotted the great white shark near macassar beach in the. If the oceans apex predator is on your south africa bucket list, look no further. Jan 16, 2019 this feature is not available right now. Scientists speculate this behaviour may be behind the disappearance of great whites from the waters of false bay, off of the coast of cape town. Gansbaai in south africa is the only place in the world where you can safely go cage diving with great white sharks all year round. Are south africas great white sharks really dying out. The program closes between 15 december to 15 january as this is the peak tourist season. Diving with great whites tours are weather dependent so should the weather be inclement, the tour will be postponed for your safety and enjoyment.
We invite you to join us onboard our boat, apex predator, for the ultimate great white shark cage diving and surface viewing adventure tour in south africa. White shark ventures great white shark cage diving tours. Diving in south africa, great white shark, sardine run. Nov 24, 2019 gansbaai in south africa is the only place in the world where you can safely go cage diving with great white sharks all year round.
Gansbaai about 160km from cape town is one of the worlds premier white shark destinations where tourists are virtually guaranteed to spot them on. Flying great white sharks, seal island, south africa. Generally great white shark sightings at both seal island and in gansbaai have been well below. Great white shark reseach programme south africa department. Great whites disappear from a south african sharkspotting hot spot. Great white sharks, which support south africa s shark diving industry and have been responsible for a number of fatal attacks off cape town, havent been seen in the region for 18 months. For the 2019 shark diving season so far, mossel bay has had more shark sightings than either gansbaai or cape town, with several great white sharks being observed on their trips on a regular basis. White sharks, carcharodon carcharias, are large apex predators who occur in cool marine systems all over the globe.
Artist richard symonds cage diving and photographing great white sharks on board mike rutzens boat from gansbaai, south africa on november 2014. Aug 31, 2019 the study found that the disappearance of great whites led to the emergence of sevengill sharks notorynchus cepedianus and now they rule this area of south africa. Mid june july historically is the peak season for great white shark activity and this period saw heightened levels of predation until 2019 when the great white never arrived. Shark cage diving in cape town gansbaai great white shark. The drive from cape town to gansbaai will take you 2. Near gansbaai however, the year can be divided into two main seasons. The ultimate guide to shark cage diving in cape town, south.
Sharks, rays and skates all belong to the class chondrichthyes cartilaginous fish their skeletons being made up of cartilage, unlike those of bony fish. The best time of year for great white sharks at seal island, false bay departing simons town is traditionally mid june july. White shark cage diving shark adventures south africa. Shark cage diving cape town, south africa great white shark. When making a booking for shark cage diving it is important that you. Come face to face with great white andor copper sharks in gansbaais cool ocean. Cage diving with great white sharks in south africa. Shark cage diving cape town, south africa cage diving. Things have changed in south africa since the disappearance of great white sharks. But this did not take away from the cage diving opportunities in simons town, as the sevengills and great white sharks literally tagteamed each other and so immediately asec was able to continue to dive with the sevengills again. The video was taken by a diver, known only as kobrowisky, while cage diving off the coast of gansbaai, south africa.
Peak shark season is in winter time, may through august. White shark africa mossel bay 2020 all you need to know. Generally great white shark sightings at both seal island and in gansbaai. Even if you are not so keen on getting into the cage, the surface viewing is just as spectacular. In 1991, south africa became the first country to grant legal protection to great white sharks, and since then shark viewing and cage diving have become a major tourist industry along its southern coast, hosting more than 80,000 visitors a year and helping to contribute tens of millions of dollars to the economy. White shark africa mossel bay 2020 all you need to. Cage diving with great white sharks in south africa tripsavvy. Excellent viewing of a great white shark hunting shows that great white sharks are intelligent hunters not indiscriminate killers seal island in false bay, 30km south of cape town is by far the best place in the world to witness the spectacular phenomenon of great white shark breaching highly unusual behaviour, which occurs here with. The study found that the disappearance of great whites led to the emergence of sevengill sharks notorynchus cepedianus and now they rule this area of south africa. As with all sharks in south africa, great whites are seasonal, and are found mainly from march. No more great white sharks in false bay and gansbaai.
969 338 1108 531 898 1009 190 221 1109 1163 223 587 54 968 816 89 22 91 432 620 36 815 338 1327 438 1054 1067 57 861 189 1488 597 422 901 762 269 979 980 255 205 486 865 612 92 1029