Best Shark Diving in South Africa: Info and Tips for 2025
Shark diving in South Africa is one of the most popular adrenaline-pumping activities in the country! You may not know much about shark diving, much less where to find the best trip.
Once you read this article, you won’t be able to say that. Below you’ll find everything you need to know to confidently book a great tour – plus some great tours to book!
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There’s no shortage of shark action in South African water. Great White Sharks, Bull Sharks, and Hammerhead Sharks all swim here.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned shark diver, there are a few things you need to know before diving in. Here’s what you need to know about shark diving in South Africa in 2025.
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☑︎ Flights – I love Expedia
☑︎ Activities and Excursions – Viator is my favourite
☑︎ Where to Stay – Booking.com for the best selection
☑︎ Car and 4×4 Rental – Discover Cars will search local and international companies
☑︎ Travel Insurance – We use SafetyWing
Shark Diving in South Africa
Shark diving in South Africa is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that allows you to see these incredible creatures up close and personal.
It’s a safe and ethical activity, and it helps to raise awareness about these incredible animals.
Best Places for Shark Diving in South Africa: Free & Caged
Although sharks can be found all around the coast of South Africa, not all locations are created equally when it comes to shark diving in South Africa.
Here are some of the best places for free diving and cage diving with sharks in South Africa.
Best Free Diving in South Africa
Protea Banks in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal is one of the very best places for free shark diving. Several species of sharks swim in these waters, including hammerheads and tiger sharks.
Depending on the dive, you will need an Open Water qualification or an Advanced certification.
Best Shark Cage Diving in South Africa
Gansbaai
A short 2-hour and a-half-hour drive from Cape Town lies the Great White Shark Capital of the World. Gansbaai (aka Goose Bay) is a little fishing village with a big reputation for these giant fish.
Great whites call these waters home all year long, moving from the shallows out to deeper water. During the winter they stay closer to the penguin and seal colonies. You’ll get a good view of these as well!
Durban, South Africa
Shark-cage diving is available at Aliwal Shoal, in the waters off the coast of Durban in KZN.
If you’d prefer to ditch the cage, you can also find cage-free scuba-diving with sharks, as well as snorkelling with sharks at Aliwal Shoals.
Cape Town, South Africa
False Bay is an excellent spot for cage diving in Cape Town. Nine species of sharks can be found in False Bay, including the seven-gilled cow sharks, one of the most prehistoric of all shark species.
You’ll also find several opportunities to dive without the cage here, and swim with the sharks in the kelp forest.
Where Is the Best Shark Diving in the World?
Some of the best shark diving on the planet can be found at Pyramid Rock at False Bay in Cape Town, South African. There are a couple of reasons why this spot is so popular among shark divers.
First, the bay is home to a large number of shark species, including pyjama catsharks, puffadder shysharks, and rare great whites.
Most exciting is the presence of seven-gilled cow sharks, primitive sharks with long, comb-like teeth and a tendency to feed in groups.
As well, the location is easily accessible from Cape Town, making it a convenient spot for a day trip or even a weekend getaway.
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Types of Shark Diving in South Africa
There are two main types of shark diving in South Africa: cage diving and free diving.
Free diving, on the other hand, is a more extreme form of shark diving where you don’t use a cage. This puts you in contact with the sharks with nothing between you and them but water and your wet suit.
Cage diving is the more popular of the two, and involves getting into a metal cage that is lowered into the water. This protects you from the sharks while still allowing you to get up close and personal with them.
Free Shark Diving in South Africa
As the name implies, free shark diving is when you dive with sharks without the use of a cage. This is a form of shark diving that is not recommended without an experienced guide.
* In some locations around the world, free diving means diving with no breathing apparatus. However, when the term is used to describe diving with sharks in South Africa, it means viewing the sharks underwater without a cage.
You’ll have the best chance of finding cage-free shark diving tours in the South African provinces of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Eastern Cape. If you’re interested, try contacting dive@aliwalshoal.co.za.
Your tour operator will require you to complete a diving course before your free dive tour, so be sure to get all the information, and plan ahead.
There are a lot of dive schools all over South Africa if you’re not yet certified.
Shark Diving Safety
When free shark diving, you’ll need to be aware of your surroundings at all times and know how to handle yourself in case of an encounter with a shark.
It’s also important to have a basic understanding of shark behaviour. Your guide will tell you what you need to know. Listen.
That being said, free shark diving can be an incredibly exhilarating experience. There’s nothing quite like being in the water with these amazing creatures.
If you’re interested in cage-free shark diving, there are a few things you need to know before taking the plunge and free shark diving in South Africa.
1. Don’t make the shark think that you’re a prey animal. Sharks are attracted to the sounds and actions of an animal in distress. Try not to do a lot of splashing and waving around. Think stealthy.
Many experts advise that you stay upright in the water.
2. Keep an eye on the shark(s), and keep looking around for more. Don’t get distracted by the pretty anemones. Check behind you often & stay aware.
3. If a shark approaches you, don’t ever try to swim away. Again, splashing and waving around should be avoided. Stay still and keep your hands still in front of you.
4. Stay calm – sharks can sense your anxiety and may become anxious themselves. A calm shark is a safer shark.
5. Don’t approach or try to touch a shark. If he doesn’t want you in his personal space, he’ll use his mouth to discourage you…(cut to image of shark teeth).
6. If your guide uses chum to attract the sharks, keep a distance between it and yourself. You don’t want to get between the chum and a hungry shark.
Again, your guide will add to these tips. Be sure to pay close attention.
Shark Cage Diving in South Africa
Shark cage diving is suitable for just about anyone, whether you are a diver or not. If you’re a bit apprehensive, this might be a good choice for you.
You’ll step into a large metal cage and, after the cage is closed, it will be lowered into the water.
Sharks are sometimes attracted to the area by chumming, which is a bit controversial. Chumming is the practice of tossing bait food into the water near the cage.
The cages are built to withstand any body slamming or biting by the sharks. They remain tied to the boat throughout your time in the water, no worries about drifting away!
You’ll spend about 15 minutes underwater at a time. Typically you’ll breathe through a hose connected to oxygen tanks on the boat.
Or, if you’re closer to the surface, you may be able to breathe using a snorkel.
Your depth will vary depending on the location and conditions, but generally, you’ll be about 2.5 metres underwater.
Depending on the shark activity you encounter, you might have several dive opportunities in a single outing.
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Gansbaai Cage Dives
🦈 Check out this incredible FULL-DAY Shark Cage Dive Tour from Cape Town to Gansbaai with Viator!
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- pick up at your Cape Town accommodation
- the cage dive is an additional fee; you may choose zip-lining or an ATV ride instead
- approx. 9 hours total = 3 hours on boat + additional outing: Hermanus cliffs, wine tasting, or penguin colony
One happy Gansbaai shark divers review:
Pleasant Trip from Cape to Gansbaai – Born in Africa tour guides are beyond wonderful. Super responsive, helpful, and great communicators. Shark diving is also a once in a lifetime experience too.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Suzan L, Viator TOUR REVIEW
🦈 Jump into this HALF-DAY White Shark Cage Dive right from
Gansbaai with Viator!
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- meet up in Gansbaai or request Cape Town pick up for a fee
- approx. 3 hours total
One happy Gansbaai shark divers review:
Once in a lifetime experience! My youngest, who is 9, also loved the experience!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Konrad S, viator tour review
🦈 Adventure meets conservation in this 4.5 Hour Cage Dive in
Gansbaai with TripAdvisor!
★Have a look at these 5/5 reviews, and check out their Privacy Policy
- meet up in Gansbaai or request Cape Town pick up for a fee
- approx 4.5 hours total
One happy Gansbaai shark divers review:
Had an amazing time with white shark diving co. Not only did I get to see several sharks including the great white. I also was lucky enough to see penguins, dolphins and a sunfish! Worth every penny.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ jordan1238 (TripAdvisor review)
False Bay Cage Dive
🦈 Take a private excursion out on False Bay, just you and your group for a Spectacular Cage Dive. You’ll visit 2 separate dive sites!
★ Have a look at these 5/5 reviews, and check out Viators Privacy Policy
- pick up at your Cape Town accommodation, then have an included breakfast
- approx. 5 hours total
One happy False Bay shark divers review:
What an amazing trip! Our first big family reunion and Andrew seemed to know just what we wanted. Truly enjoyed especially shark diving was on point. Choice of Multiple diving and scuba trips daily or island exploring, yummy food we couldn’t stop eating and sunsets you can’t find anywhere else. Local crew that seemed to always be smiling. We will def be returning to soon and use their services again!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ anonymous, Viator Tour REVIEW
🦈 Visit the sharks on False Bay from Simon’s Town, for a Amazing Cage Dive. You’re in a small group for a great experience!
★ Have a look at these 5/5 reviews, and check out Viators Privacy Policy
- meet up in Simon’s Town; pick-up is an extra fee
- 4.5 hours
One happy False Bay shark divers review:
This was a highlight of my South Africa trip. We were able to see bronze whalers and I felt like we were able to stay in the water/cage for a good period of time. Would do again in a heartbeat.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Katie k (viator tour review)
What to Bring on a Shark Dive
💊 ANTI-SEASICKNESS MEDICATION
Feeling seasick can take the fun out of a dive trip pretty quickly. Don’t forget to pack some Non-Drowsy Dramamine if it’s a problem for you. The regular kind will have you napping before you reach the dive site. If you’d rather not take pills, take along an anti-nausea wristband.
🤿 MASK AND SNORKEL
All dive trip operators provide you with a sanitized mask and snorkel, but it’s always safer using your own. This full-face style is the latest design and has a removable motion camera mount. If you prefer the traditional style, this one is a 5-star best seller on Amazon.
📸 WATERPROOF GoPro
You’re going to want to remember everything about your dive. If you don’t have a GoPro yet, your shark dive is the perfect reason to get one. This one comes as a bundle with a ton of extras.
👒 A WIDE-BRIMMED HAT
You will be on the boat for a while – protect your eyes and face from the sun. This hat has a strap to make sure it doesn’t wind up in the water, and it’s for men or women.
If you prefer you’re favourite ball cap, use a clip so it doesn’t fly away. You’ll wonder where this clip has been all your life.
🐠 WET SUIT
If you like to dive with your own wet suit, make sure yours is still in top shape. If it needs replacing, check out these highly-rated top-sellers.
![Fast 7mm Man (Black/Blue) [S/2]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31VW6H0eHRL._SL500_.jpg)
😎 SUNGLASSES
Don’t ever forget sunglasses. These are polarized, and they float, so they’re perfect for water sports.
👝 MESH DIVE BAG
A mesh bag will let your gear dry without trapping water and allowing it to mildew. This one has a large dry pocket for your phone and wallet. If you’re taking your own mask, snorkel, and/or fins, you’ll need something to keep them in.
☀️ REEF-FRIENDLY SUNSCREEN
There are still sunscreens sold that can damage coral reefs, so please be aware of the ingredients in your sunscreen. Here’s one that you can use with a clear conscience.
Best Shark Diving in South Africa: FAQ
Can You Swim with Sharks in Africa?
Yes! And it’s an experience that you’ll never forget. Whether you want to snorkel, scuba dive, or cage dive you have lots of options.
Where is the Best Shark Diving in South Africa?
False Bay, at Cape Town, has earned a place as one of the best shark dive sites in the world.
But when it comes to great whites, Gansbaai (Goose Bay), in the South African province of Western Cape, is known as the Great White Capital of the World. Sharks, that is.
Great whites sharks are in the neighbourhood all year long. Mako and blue sharks can be seen here as well.
How Much Does it Cost to Dive with Sharks in South Africa?
Prices vary, but cage dive will generally cost around US$200, +/- $50 from Cape Town. However, for a private trip for just you and your group, you could pay around US$350 or more. If you’d prefer to scuba in Gansbaai, you will pay around US$85.
➦ Find the best fares, PLUS get 10% off flights with WayAway
Planning for Your Dive Trip to South Africa
🏥 Travel insurance?
Get it! Travel insurance is one of those things that is definitely better to have and not use, than to need and not have. In addition, not all insurance companies will cover dive trips, considered an “extreme sport”. SafetyWing has your back, starting at only US$1.50/day. Learn more.
🛫 Best price on a flight?
I recommend WayAway to find the best price on all your flights. Learn more.
🚗 Renting a car in South Africa
Unless you’re going on your dive trip and then flying right out again, it will make life infinitely easier if you do. Book through Discovery Cars to compare companies and get the best price.
An International Drivers’ license is only necessary if your home license is not in English. Learn more.
📱 Using your phone in South Africa
That depends on your carrier and your phone plan. Contact your carrier if you’re not sure of the details. If it turns out that you can’t, the DrimSim is a great option. Choose between a classic SIM card or an eSIM. Learn more.
🏨 Finding the best place to stay
If you’d like a hotel, Booking.com and Kayak are both great options. If you like to use vacation rentals like I do, use VRBO.
🧳 Packing for your trip
Have a look at What to Pack for Africa: Packing List and Guide for everything you need. For a little help with planning your trip, visit 15 Steps to Planning an Amazing Trip to Africa.
Summing It Up: Shark Diving in South Africa
Diving with sharks is an indescribable experience! You’ll come out of the water feeling like there’s nothing you can’t do!
And now that you know what to expect, shark diving in South Africa is sure to be a thrilling experience! Just remember to stay safe and have fun.
Happy travels!
You might like these related articles:
• 14 Reasons to Visit South Africa
• 30 Photos to Inspire You to Visit South Africa
• The Best Dive Sites in South Africa
• Where to find the Best Diving in Africa 2025
• Find Your Dream Destination in Africa
