APEX - GREAT WHITE SHARK MORNING TRIP - SHARK CAGE DIVING SEAL ISLAND, SIMON'S TOWN
SHARK CAGE DIVING SEAL ISLAND, SIMON'S TOWN
Apex Shark Expeditions morning shark tours offers guests a chance to observe natural predation, breaching and experience shark cage diving - all on one trip. We take small groups of no more than 12 guests, allowing each guest excellent viewing opportunities as we share our knowledge and passion for these creatures. Guests can book a day trip or a longer more specialised expedition.
Morning:
Feb to Apr: Shark cage diving and a possibility to witness scavenge events
May to Sep: Breaching, natural predation and shark cage diving.
Meeting:
Approximately 06H30 in Simon’s Town, 45 minutes from Cape Town. Exact time confirmed the day before the trip.
Transfer:
Door to door transfers arranged on request.
Duration:
3 to 4 hours at sea.
Guests:
Maximum 12 guests, plus 4 crew.
Cage size:
5 divers – No experience required. 20 – 30 minutes cage time.
Trip includes:
Coffee / tea, light breakfast, passionate crew, educational booklet, dive gear, light lunch, snacks & refreshments.
ITINERARY: FEBRUARY TO APRIL
Although this is not peak season for seeing natural predatory events and breaches, Great White Sharks are actively scavenging on sick or dead seals that wash off Seal Island and there is a good chance of observing natural scavenge events.
06H00
Meet the crew at the Apex Shark Expeditions shop. After a light breakfast, guests are welcomed aboard White Pointer II. A full safety and weather briefing is given before departure.
06H30
Depart for Seal Island which is a 25 to 35 minute boat ride based on sea conditions.
07H00
Arrive at Seal Island. Based on what the weather is doing, we will decide on the best spot to weigh anchor and begin attracting sharks to the vessel.
The cage is then deployed, where it floats next to our vessel. Once a shark approaches our boat, a bait is kept in the water to keep the shark around long enough for identification, viewing and shark cage diving purposes. At no point are the sharks purposefully fed or handled and all efforts are made to prevent the sharks from making contact with our vessel.
If the weather conditions are favourable, guests will be readied for shark cage diving. Safety precautions and operational procedures are then explained to any guest wishing to enter the cage. It is important to know that the sharks come very close to the boat so it is not necessary to dive in order to see them. Those not wishing to dive will have excellent views of the Great White Shark.
11H00 + -
White Pointer II will arrive back in Simon’s Town Harbour depending on the weather conditions and shark activity.
ITINERARY: MAY TO SEPTEMBER
As winter begins and the seal colony blossoms, the sharks begin to change their behaviour and begin actively hunting Cape Fur seal pups. These months are best to view natural predation events and breaching.
06H00
Meet the crew at the Apex Shark Expeditions shop. After a light breakfast, we will deliver a full safety and weather briefing aboard White Pointer II before departure.
06H30
Depart for Seal Island which is a 25 to 35 minute boat ride based on sea and weather conditions.
07H00
Arrive at Seal Island.
We arrive early as this is the optimum time to view the sharks actively hunting the Cape Fur seals. Our data indicates that half an hour before sunrise to one and a half hours after sunrise is the best time to witness this natural event.
Once the hunting quietens down and based on what the weather is doing, we will decide on the best spot to weigh anchor and begin attracting sharks to the vessel. The cage is then deployed, where it floats next to our vessel.
Once a shark approaches our boat, bait is kept in the water to keep the shark around long enough for identification, viewing and cage diving purposes. At no point are the sharks purposefully fed or handled and all efforts are made to prevent the sharks from coming into contact with our vessel.
If the weather conditions are favourable, guests will be readied for cage diving. Safety precautions and operational procedures are then explained to any guest wishing to enter the cage. It is important to know that the sharks come very close to the boat so it is not necessary to dive in order to see them. Those not wishing to dive will still have excellent views of the Great White Shark.
A light lunch of rolls with cold meats (or a vegetarian option), accompanied by soft drinks, fruit juice, bottled water and a variety of snacks are available throughout the course of the morning.
11H00 + -
White Pointer II will arrive back in Simon’s Town Harbour depending on the weather conditions and shark activity.
Tea and coffee are available at our home base in Simon’s Town. Take this opportunity to browse through our unique range of shark-related merchandise.
Vendor : Apex Shark Expeditions
Business Hours: 07:00 am To 06:00 pm
Quayside Centre, Main Road,
Simon's Town
7975, Simon's Town, Western Cape, South Africa
View Vendor Information