Marine Dynamics | South Africa

Our Landbased Partner

Marine Dynamics is Dive and Cruise's handpicked partner in South Africa for the Great White Shark Cage Diving. It is based in Kleinbaai, a small harbour town, part of Gansbaai in the Western Cape of South Africa. This little harbour town is known as the Great White Shark capital of the world, offers unparalleled opportunities to encounter these majestic creatures. The waters here are home to a rich marine ecosystem, providing a high probability of shark sightings year-round.

Marine Dynamics has over 20 years of experience and is the leader in shark cage diving. Their knowledgeable and passionate crew ensures a safe, thrilling, and educational experience for every diver. Except the professional crew, there will be a marine biologist to accompany you during the shark cage diving tour, and educate you as you get up close and personal with these amazing apex predators.

The Tour Boat

Marine Dynamics offer Great White Shark Diving Cage Diving on board the custom-designed boat: Slashfin (named after a famous white shark). It is a unique, multi-million rand aluminium boat custom designed for speed, stability, safety and space :

Slashfin is a 14m (46 feet) long catamaran vessel that can comfortably accommodate 40 passengers plus the crew at a time. It was specifically built for the Kleinbaai slipway and is aimed at providing passengers with that veritable lap of safety and luxurious comfort while enjoying the wild, windswept open seas and its amazing wildlife. It is powered by four large four-stroke 300 hp outboard engines, and is equipped with the best electronic equipment to navigate the area.

Slashfin also equipped with the fine details :

• Designated toilets for males and females
• A canvass dressing cubicle on demand for clients who prefer more privacy
• An attractive, central food drawer where light lunch packs, snacks, water and remedies for seasickness are permanently on display
• Double staircase on opposite sides of the boat provides easy access and a smooth flow of traffic to the spacious upper deck
• Even the storage space of the life raft has been designed to be unobtrusive and out of sight to ensure all-round, unobstructed views from the top deck.
• The only boat in the business boasting a special platform for the bait and decoy handlers.

The Diving Cage onboard comes with two specifically designed platforms on either side of the cage for our handlers, always keeping the action in the middle for all to see. The bait is not fed to the sharks – it is merely used to entice them to come closer to the cage and is pulled back before they can get to it.

The stainless steel diving cage is professionally engineered and made out of a 25mm squared tubing covered with 6mm security mesh approximately 160mm apart. And it has no sharp edges on which a shark can injure itself.

The diving cage is GoPro friendly, it is comfortably equipped with steel hand and foot bars inside offering ample grip and stability even when filming.

The Diving Cage can easily accommodate 10 divers at a time. Your head will never be more than a metre under the surface and you can decide when and how long you want to stay underwater.

The Experience

The Great White Shark Cage Diving in South Africa is a landbased adventure. The adventure starts daily at the meeting point near the Kleinbaai Harbour, where you'll meet the crew and receive a full safety briefing. Then you'll embark on a 20-minute boat ride to Dyer Island, where the shark action begins.

Once we arrive at the dive site, the cage is lowered into the water, and the excitement builds as the first sharks begin to appear. You don't need any prior diving experience to participate – the expert crew will guide you through the process, ensuring you're comfortable every step of the way.

For those who prefer to stay dry, there's plenty to see from the boat. Watch as the Great Whites breach, circle the boat, and glide through the water – an equally thrilling experience!

After 2 - 3 hours at sea (On average, the boat usually anchor for 2 hours, but this depends on shark activity, conditions, as well as number of divers). Depending on the weather, there is a possibility for a quick trip through the infamous Shark Alley. Then you'll return to the harbor, where you can relax and relive your adventure over light refreshments. You’ll also have the opportunity to purchase professional photos and videos of your dive.

During the daily adventure, a light meal (breakfast or lunch depending on time of trip), refreshments on board and soup and bread on return is provided free of charge.

Guests will see different shark species, Bronze Whalers, Seven Gills and visiting Great White Sharks during the trip.

Accommodation

As it's a landbased adventure, you can decide where to stay in Gansbaai. We can also organise a variety of accommodation tailored to your needs and budget.

Gansbaai offers many options – from back packers, guesthouses and B&Bs to exclusive lodges, and we have selected different alternatives that present the best quality and price ratio.

Diving

• Daily min. 2 hours anchor time for cage diving activity.
• Tour is guided by a marine biologist onboard each day.
• Equipment such as wetsuits, booties, masks and towels is provided.
• Life jackets and waterproof jacket is also supplied.
• A video link of your experience is included daily.
• Daily trip launch time will be confirmed the day before.

Custom Itinerary: Shark Cage Diving with the Sardine Run & Safari

Dive and Cruise can arrange this amazing shark cage diving experience together with the magical seasonal spectacle of the sardine run adventure, also with the option to add on the tranditional wild animal safari in different parks.

The Great White Sharks Cage Diving : we recommend spend at least 3 or more days to get a better feel for the variety of White Sharks. You should also schedule more than one day during the austral winter months (April through September) to avoid any disappointments due to bad weather conditions. The ideal will be stay in Gansbaai for 4 to 6 days at least, and go to sea for at least 3 days.

The Sardine Run : It will be usually min. a 9 days / 8 nights adventure and up to 15 days / 10 nights adventure. You can witness one of the greatest marine migrations on the planet (between May and July ONLY). Combine your shark diving adventure with this incredible event for a truly immersive marine experience.

Wildlife Safari : Round off your South African adventure with a thrilling safari. Explore the country's renowned national parks and private reserves, where you can spot the Big Five – lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo – in their natural environment. Tailor your itinerary to include visits to Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park, Kruger National Park, Addo Elephant Park, or one of the many luxurious private game reserves.

13D/12N Shark Cage Diving with the Sardine Run

This tailor-made itinerary is perfect for those seeking the ultimate South African wildlife experience, our exclusive custom-made itineraries that combine the adrenaline of Great White Shark Cage Diving with the spectacle of the Sardine Run, which is turly unique!

Day 1 : Cape Town - Gansbaai
Arrive in Cape Town International Airport. Private transfer to Gansbaai (approx. 2 hours, 160 km). Settle into your accommodation in Gansbaai. Relax and explore Gansbaai's local scene.

Day 2 : Shark Cage Diving
Early morning begin the half-day excursion for the Great White Sharks Cage diving, light breakfast onboard as well as homemade soup and bread after the trip. Afternoon visit the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS).

Day 3 : Shark Cage Diving + Marine Big 5 Tours
Early morning begin the half-day excursion for the Great White Sharks Cage diving, light breakfast onboard as well as homemade soup and bread after the trip. Afternoon will join a half-day excursion for "Marine Big 5 Tours" Whale watching boat tour around Dyer Island (spans between 2 to 2.5 hours), where you can spot the Marine Big 5: Great White Sharks, Southern Right Whales (seasonal), Cape Fur Seals, African Penguins, and various dolphins.

Day 4 : Shark Cage Diving + Kelders Cave
Early morning begin the half-day excursion for the Great White Sharks Cage diving, light breakfast onboard as well as homemade soup and bread after the trip. Afternoon explore the famous Kelders Cave, which is renowned for its significant archaeological findings, which provide a glimpse into the lives of early humans who inhabited the area thousands of years ago.

Day 5 : Gansbaai to Durban
Early morning transfer to Cape Town International Airport, catch a flight to Durban (approx. 2 hours). Private transfer from Durban King Shaka International Airport to the Dive Resort, located in the Wild Coast area (approx. 80 km, 1.5 - 2 hours). Check-in and attend a briefing session about the Sardine Run adventure.

Day 6 : 2 X Dives at Aliwal Shoal
You will dive into the reefs of the Aliwal Shoal, home to hundreds of Ragged Tooth Sharks as well as a number of other shark species including Blacktip Sharks, Dusky Sharks, Copper Sharks [Bronze Whalers] and on occasion Tiger Sharks & Bull Sharks. (Or can be changed to wreck dive)

Day 7 : Travel to Port Sj. Johns
After a leisurely breakfast and packing up your belongings and dive gear, you will then be transferred to Port St Johns (about a 4-hour drive). Once there we check in to our accommodation, situated on the bank of the Umzimvubu River in Port St. Johns, located in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

Day 8 - 12 : Sardine Run
Set out on a boat around 7am and spend the day out at sea diving the Sardine Run. We enter the water as many times as possible during the day, sometimes just on snorkel and other times on scuba, depending on how fast the action is moving and how comfortable the animals are as sometimes the bubbles from scuba diving chases the action away. In the late afternoon we return to shore where you can enjoy a local excursion, relax, take in the views, go for a walk or go have a meal. Overnight in Port St Johns, South Africa.

Day 13 : Transfer to Durban International Airport
After breakfast you depart at 8am and transfer to Durban International Airport, arrive Durban Airport at about 14:00. Domestic flights need to depart after 15:00 & International Flights need to depart after 16:00.

You can also chosen optional add-on Wildlife Safari.

Optional Wildlife Safari

After the Sardine Run adventure, if you want to extend your stay with the Wildlife Safari, it's possbile too! Dive and Cruise can tailor your itinerary to include visits to Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park, Kruger National Park, Addo Elephant Park, or one of the many luxurious private game reserves.

For example, the Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park is Africa’s oldest game reserve – and keep your eyes peeled for the magnificent Big 5 :

Day 14 : Transfer to St Lucia
Transfer to St. Lucia after check out at the dive resort in Port St Johns. Check in at accommodation. Afternoon Isimangaliso Park Safari from 4pm to 7pm.

Day 15 : Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park
Full-day Umfolozi Park safari from 5am to 3:30pm. Breakfast, BBQ lunch, refreshments area included.

Day 16 : Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park
Full-day Isimangaliso / Cape Vidal safari from 8am to 3pm, Boat Cruise from 4.30pm till 6.30pm. Includes picnic lunch, refreshments.

Day 17 : Transfer to Durban International Airport
Breakfast at the lodge and check out at 10am, transfer back to Durban International Airport (about 3 - 4hrs drive). Domestic flights need to depart after 16:00 & International Flights need to depart after 17:00.