 When
it comes to Great White Sharks, we value each and every
enquiry! Only by educating, increasing awareness and bringing
people into their private world, can we dispel any doubts
people may have as to why such an apex predator is of utmost
importance to us.
We are based in Gansbaai, a scenic two-hour drive from Cape
Town and offer pick-ups from all Cape Town hotels. Accommodation
is also available at the stunning White Shark Lodge. Day
trips, overnight trips as well as full expeditions are offered.
White Shark Diving Expeditions
 A
Great White Shark expedition is amongst the most special
things you can give yourself as a lifetime experience. Something
so exciting and special, that you will never forget it.
A strong memory to carry with you for the rest of your life.
To experience the Great White Shark alive in its own natural
environment is truly something extraordinary. The powerful
presence of a Great White Shark will touch your heart, steal
a piece and never give it back!!!!! We would like to share
this experience with you and subsequently you can join us
for 10 days on a White Shark Expedition.
What could be better than waking up to a good wholesome
breakfast pack your gear out to sea in search of the Great
White Shark. The hour is early and the morning sun has just
climbed over the horizon. The scenery is breathtakingly
beautiful. A slight breeze is coming in from the ocean bringing
with it the smell and feel of primordial adventure.
 The
little fishing harbour is boiling with activity as the fishermen
launch their boats to go out and catch their livelihood.
Somewhere out there the Great Whites are making their way
through the temperate waters of the Atlantic ocean, to make
their livelihood. With a feeling of huge anticipation we
launch our vessel and start our half hour journey to Dyer
Island.
Dyer Island is home to a huge marine bird population and
amongst the species to be found there are Cormorants, Oyster
catchers, Gulls, Turns, Gannets and last but not least it
hosts a population of approximately 20.000 of the protected
Jack Ass Penguins. Geyser Rock on the other hand is home
to approximately 60.000 of the protected Cape Fur seals.
Separating the two islands is a shallow channel which we
call the "shark alley". The channel is roughly
150 meters wide and 600 meters long and is without a doubt,
one of the absolute Great White Shark Mecca's of the world.
In this area we have seen White Sharks attacking seals and
birds, we have seen Great White Sharks jumping completely
clear out of the water and on occasions we have seen White
 Sharks
inflicting wounds on each other while in combat. Thousands
of days have been spent around the islands working, some
of them very successful and some of them less successful.
On one occasion we sighted 21 Great White Sharks in one
day. That was a very successful day indeed!
A normal day at sea is a lot of fun and a lot of hard work.
A member of an expedition you will be part of the team.
You will take part in day to day activities of our work.
In the morning before going to sea we will load the boat
with all necessary equipment including cages, diving gear,
lunch, baits, chum, recording equipment and everything else
we need for the success of our objectives.
Once the site is reached we will start recording all environmental
conditions. At the same time the crewmembers will start
preparing the chum and the baits. Once we have started baiting
and chumming we will wait for the sharks to appear. The
wait can be anything from a few minutes to several hours.
Once the sharks arrive our day is taken up by observing,
recording, photographing, filming and cage work.
We will spend quite a lot of time in the cages photographing
and filming the white sharks. This way we acquire material
that can be used to study behaviour, markings, pigmentation
etc. it is also an aid in the sexing of younger Great White
Sharks which are often difficult to sex from the surface.
Along with this, we will do other types of tests with the
sharks such as colour sensitivity & preference, tracking,
etc. depending of what program we are running at the time
of the expedition. As a member of the expedition you are
a part of the team and you will get the opportunity to participate
in all the activities taking place on and off the boat.
Once back on shore the boats and the equipment will be washed
and prepared for the next day. Baits and chum will be prepared
and anything else needing attention will be taken care of
for the next research day. When all duties are taken care
of we will relax and ponder over the day at sea. On some
of the evenings we will give interesting lectures about
the Great White Shark and its different aspects. During
the lectures we will also show slides and videos etc.
The expeditions are designed to educate and train members
in the field of natural biological research of the Great
White Shark. By the end of an expedition, the potential
expeditionary will have gained enough experience to qualify
as competent field assistant. This level of competence will
then enable that person if he / she so wishes, to apply
to the South African White Shark Research Institute for
a voluntary position on future expeditions and filming trips.
RATES
Children aged 12 and over pay the full adult
rate. If space is available at the lodge, we will not charge
for children under the age of 12 if they take up their own
room. Should we have full occupancy however, we will charge
50% of the adult rate in such cases. For a single parent
with one child under 12 sharing the same room, we will not
charge for the child.
Day Dive/Viewing Trip: R1,155 per person
- Including breakfast, lunch on the boat, afternoon tea
and all dive equipment
Day Dive/Viewing Trip including Transport: R1,260 per person
- Including breakfast, lunch on the boat, afternoon tea
and all dive equipment
Diving/Viewing Overnight Package: From R1,420 per person
- Including Diving/Viewing, breakfast, lunch on the boat,
all dive equipment, transfers and accommodation in the stunning
White Shark Lodge
10-day White Shark Dive Expedition: R14,900 per person
- Including breakfast, lunch, dinner, accommodation, transfers,
dive equipment, educational material, lectures and expedition
t-shirt.
14-day Student Educational Programme: R13,900 per person
- Including breakfast accommodation, transfers, dive equipment,
educational material and lectures.
We also offer VIP and Corporate trips as well as team building
events. Rates available on request.
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