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BUSINESS NEWS - For years, South Africa held the title of the world’s great white shark capital. Travellers would flock to Cape Town, drawn by images of face-to-face encounters with one of nature’s most formidable creatures.
But the tides have changed. Great white sightings are now sporadic and unpredictable, and the experience of shark diving has evolved into something richer and ultimately more meaningful.
The Changing Face of Shark Diving
Marine researchers and seasoned operators report that the last reliable great white sighting off Gansbaai was around October 2024. The decline has been linked to overfishing, orcas preying on sharks, shifts in prey distribution, and broader ecological changes along the coast.
While the iconic great white has become elusive, shark diving in Cape Town is far from fading. Instead, it has transformed into an opportunity to encounter a wider variety of shark species while promoting ethical, conservation-driven tourism.
Today, Cape Town, and particularly the waters of False Bay, has become the preferred base for those seeking an authentic and responsible encounter. Here, the focus has shifted from spectacle to stewardship.
Where Conservation Meets Adventure
Operating in Cape Town, Apex Shark Expeditions offers shark diving trips to the historic Seal Island - a patch of ocean where seals and sharks have interacted for centuries. What makes this experience stand apart is its guiding principle: respect for the ocean.
Encounters when shark cage diving in Cape Town often feature species such as bronze whaler sharks, seven-gill cow sharks, and the occasional hammerhead.
Seeing these agile hunters glide within arm’s reach offers a thrill that’s every bit as powerful as spotting the elusive Great White.
More importantly, it’s an encounter that contributes to understanding and protecting South Africa’s marine ecosystem.
What does the Cage Diving Experience involve?
You don’t need any diving qualifications to take part. Participants are kitted out with wetsuits and masks before entering a sturdy steel cage that’s partially submerged beside the boat. Instead of using oxygen tanks, divers rely on simple breath-hold techniques to observe the sharks up close.
It’s beginner-friendly yet unforgettable, bringing a blend of awe and adventure.
Expert guides narrate the experience as it unfolds, interpreting shark behaviour in real time and explaining how these predators fit into the broader oceanic balance. The emphasis is always on learning and awareness rather than chasing the adrenaline rush of a close encounter.
Is it worth shark cage diving in Cape Town?
Although the chance of seeing a great white can no longer be guaranteed, the ocean offers something equally valuable: unpredictability.
Every trip is different, shaped by tides, weather, and luck. One day might bring bronze whalers circling the cage, another a passing cow shark or even a pod of playful seals. And beyond the cage, the sheer beauty of False Bay, with its deep blues and soaring cliffs, makes this one of South Africa’s most spectacular marine experiences.
An Evolving Encounter
Shark diving in South Africa has grown from a single-species pursuit into a window on ocean life itself. What was once about ticking “great white” off a bucket list has become a way to connect with the sea in a more responsible, deeply human way.
For travellers who care about both adventure and conservation, that’s a change worth embracing.
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