Gansbaai Shark Watching From The Boat. Do You Have To Dive?

Some of my links may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I might earn a small commission at no cost to you. See our Privacy Policy for details. And this post was crafted with care and occasional typos by Colleen (and not AI)

Gerry was determined to see sharks and whilst I’m usually a huge fan of whale watching, in Cape Town, it was all about the sharks. But there was a catch.  Every search we did talked about shark cage diving, which Gerry had absolutely no interest in.

But the good news is that you don’t need to cage dive to have an incredible experience shark watching from the boat!

If you’re like Gerry and want the thrill of seeing these majestic creatures in the wild, without the need to jump into the water, then keep reading. We’ll share our firsthand experience of shark watching from the boat and show you why it’s still an unforgettable adventure!

Gansbaai Shark Watching : No Diving Required

Gansbaai is famously known as the shark capital of the world and has been at the heart of shark research and conservation for many years. Sharks, including Great White Sharks, are drawn to Gansbaai and whilst most tours promote the cage diving experience, dig a little deeper and you’ll find that you can still see plenty from the boat too.

Sharks often come up to the surface, giving those on board an excellent view. In fact, Gerry quickly became our chief spotter, calling out whenever a shark approached. He had such a great vantage point that he probably saw more action than those in the water!

Do You Need To Go In The Cage?

Gansbaai is the place to go for shark watching but do you have to go in the cage? For Gerry, this was never up for debate. He’s not a strong swimmer, he hates cold water and the thought of being confined in a cage underwater with sharks swimming around was his idea of a holiday nightmare.

But he was still eager to see sharks. Thankfully, staying on the boat is a perfectly viable option. There’s absolutely no obligation to go into the cage and you certainly won’t be alone if you choose not to dive.

What You See From The Boat

From the deck, you’ll have a fantastic view of the sea.  Many sharks swim close to the surface and you’ll see them circling the boat, swimming through the water and sometimes even breaching. Indeed, our very first sighting was a Bronze Whaler shark breaching near the boat.  The cage divers missed it as they were busy getting into the cage and so Gerry claimed the first sighting.

What You See From The Cage

The view from the cage offers a different experience, but it’s not necessarily better. The water can be a bit murky and visibility is usually limited to a metre or less. You won’t see as far as you can from the boat but you do get an incredibly close-up view of the sharks, sometimes inches away. And that is very thrilling!

Why Choose Gansbaai For Shark Watching?

Gansbaai is about a 2-hour drive from Cape Town.  Here nature has created the perfect habitat for sharks and local tour operators and conservationists have extensive knowledge of shark patterns and behaviours.

Situated between two major ocean currents, Gansbaai attracts a diverse range of marine life and remains one of the few places in the world where you can still spot Great White Sharks (although sightings have become rarer). Gansbaai is a hotspot for sharks for several reasons:

Are There Great White Sharks Around Cape Town?

Great White Sharks are found around Gansbaai and until 2017, sightings were quite common. However, in recent years, sightings have become less frequent and the decline in their numbers has raised concern. Our captain explained why numbers might be decreasing:

Can You See Other Sharks From Gansbaai?

While Great White Shark sightings have decreased, you’re still very likely to see other species. We went with realistic expectations but to our delight spotted at least eight sharks.

Most tours boast a high success rate, especially during peak shark season. However, as with all wildlife experiences, nothing is guaranteed. Morning is generally the best time for sightings, which is why most tours start early; be prepared for an early pickup from Cape Town!

What Time of Year is Best for Shark Watching?

The best time for shark watching in Gansbaai is typically from April to September, when shark activity is at its peak. Tours operate year-round, the chances of sightings are generally lower outside these months.

Top Tip: Boat trips are weather-dependent, and peak shark season coincides with winter in the Cape. It’s wise to put a few days set aside for shark viewing. We kept a close eye on the weather and booked a tour that allowed us to reschedule.

What To Expect On A Shark Watching Tour

Number one, keep in mind the distance from Cape Town to Gansbaai. It’s a good 2-hour drive, and since the boat leaves at sunrise, you should expect a very early start.

How Much Is The Tour?

Prices vary depending on the operator and the season but expect to pay between 125€ and 175€.

This tour isn’t a cheap activity, but if you’re looking for an ethical tour with a marine biologist on board, it’s worth opting for the slightly pricier options.

How Long Is A Tour?

Tours typically last around 4-6 hours, depending on the weather, sea conditions and shark activity.

What’s Included In The Tour?

Most tours provide essential safety gear, an experienced crew, refreshments and a light meal. Here’s what was included in our tour:

Is It Safe? Sharks Eat People, Don’t They?

This was Gerry’s first question! And yes, shark-watching tours are generally very safe. The crew follows strict safety protocols and shark attacks on boats are extremely rare (regardless of what you see in the movies). The crew is highly experienced and all tours are regulated to ensure the highest safety standards.

While there are occasional high-profile stories about shark attacks, the chances are minuscule. In fact, we were probably more at risk of injury during our walk around Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens than watching sharks.

What Will The Water Be Like?

Honestly? Absolutely freezing. The waters around Gansbaai can be cold, with temperatures ranging from 10 to 15°C.  You do stay warm and dry on the boat but if you do decide to enter the cage, be prepared for chilly conditions.

The crew provides thick wetsuits, which can be quite a challenge to put on, but they do help protect you from the worst of the cold. However, in winter, there’s no escaping the fact that the water is going to be very cold.

What Do I Need To Take?

It can get chilly, so dress in layers to stay warm. Waterproof coats were provided, which kept us toasty.

Hot showers are available on land, so bring toiletries if you’d like to freshen up after your dive.

What Should You Wear on a Shark Tour?

Comfort is key, especially if you plan to enter the cage. Wear layers to stay warm and flat shoes are essential for moving around.  A hat and gloves can help you warm up faster after being in the water; thankfully we’d purchased these for our chilly days from Victoria Falls to Cape Town!

Top Tip: We visited in late June, during winter, and it was cold. At other times of the year, you might not need as many layers, and suncream and t-shirts may be more appropriate.

Can You Take Photos or Videos on the Tour?

Absolutely! If you want to take a camera into the cage, it must be waterproof and a strap is recommended to keep it secure while bobbing up and down. I brought my camera with zoom lens for use on deck but didn’t have a waterproof camera for the cage.

Do I Need to Be a Strong Swimmer?

No, not at all. No swimming is required and no prior diving experience is needed either. However, you should feel comfortable in water since you will be partially submerged to view the sharks. If you are fearful of water, the experience might not be enjoyable.

Can Children or Older Adults Go on the Tour?

Yes! There were children on our tour and we’re in our 60s and not the oldest by any means. The tours are family-friendly and suitable for all ages.

The only caveat for older folks is that getting in and out of the cage requires a bit of agility. If you’re concerned, know that the crew is always on hand to help, but there is some manoeuvring involved.

Will You See Whales or Other Marine Animals?

I was really hoping to see whales but as the crew explained, Gansbaai isn’t the ideal place for whale watching. For that, you’re better off heading to Hermanus, which is world renowned for its whale-watching tours.

That said, we did spot seals and plenty of seabirds, including a very fortunate cormorant that narrowly escaped the jaws of a passing shark! Dolphins also live here but we didn’t see any during our visit.

Is It Ethical To Take The Shark Experience Tour?

This is always a big question for us. We ask it whenever we go whale watching or on safari or even when taking our helicopter ride over Victoria Falls (which can present environmental concerns). We travel a lot and we are very aware that we could be contributing to the problem.

So, we do our research.

Just as when we went blue whale watching in Sri Lanka, some tours are better than others. Choose wisely and tours can be ethical. Here are a few points to consider:

While some argue that human presence can contribute to the decline of shark populations, properly managed shark-watching tours can coexist with healthy shark populations. Research-driven and conservation-focused operators also gather important data that contributes to shark protection.  On our tour, a spotter sat alongside Gerry, documenting all of the animals that we’d seen.

Is It Worth Shark Watching From The Boat Without The Cage Diving?

Absolutely, yes! If you’re interested in sharks and find yourself in South Africa then don’t hesitate to book a tour. Even without diving, you’ll get up close to these magnificent creatures, enjoy a boat ride and create your own amazing memories.

Gerry says it was one of his favourite days in South Africa! From the boat

The tour is a fascinating experience. You get all of the excitement of a shark encounter while staying warm and dry.  If the idea of jumping into cold water isn’t for you then, don’t let that stop you. Be like Gerry and have an amazing shark-watching adventure from the boat!

Are You Travelling Overland?

We travelled from Victoria Falls to Cape Town on an Africa Overland Adventure and we’re writing about our journey. You might find the following posts useful :