South Africa guide › South Africa's coast and beaches
Can you still see great white sharks in South Africa?
Only very rarely, and with no guarantee. Gansbaai, long billed as the 'great white shark capital of the world', has barely seen any since 2017, and cage-diving trips there now mostly show bronze whalers (copper sharks): smaller, but still thrilling up close.
The main reason, according to researchers, is a pair of orcas nicknamed Port and Starboard that began hunting great whites along this coast in 2017 for their livers. The sharks fled Gansbaai, then False Bay, where they hadn't been seen for years. In September 2026 a young great white was spotted in False Bay for the first time in eight years: encouraging, but a one-off so far.
Where to try your luck:
- Gansbaai (Kleinbaai), about two hours from Cape Town: the biggest choice of cage-diving trips, in Shark Alley, the channel between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock; bronze whalers on almost every trip, plus whales in season.
- Mossel Bay, at the start of the Garden Route: a single operator working around Seal Island, which still advertises great whites in winter, though sightings there have also changed in recent years.
- Simon's Town in False Bay: trips to see bronze whalers and fur seals.
Cage diving needs no dive qualification: the cage floats at the surface and you snorkel or hold your breath, in a thick wetsuit provided by the operator. Expect to pay around R3,000 to R4,000 (about US$180 to US$240) per adult, with or without transfers from Cape Town. Boats leave early and cancel in rough seas; seasickness is common.
The activity is debated, since boats attract sharks with bait and fish oil. Reputable operators contribute to research and publish their daily sightings logs.
Verdict: go for the experience and the bronze whalers, not for a promised great white. Check operators' sightings logs before you book, and from June to November pair the trip with Hermanus whale watching.
Tip: book your trip early in your stay: if rough seas cancel it, you'll still have days to reschedule.
Information checked in November 2026; confirm before you travel.
More landmarks in this section
- Where are the best beaches in South Africa for swimming?
- What are the best beaches in Cape Town?
- What to see on the Garden Route, South Africa?
- What to see at Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope?
- Boulders Beach: where to see penguins in Cape Town?
- When is whale season in Hermanus?
- What to see on the Wild Coast, South Africa?