Shark Cage Diving

Apex Shark Expeditions Booking Advice for first time shark cage diving eco tourists.

The Internet is a wonderful source of information however it is also a medium whereby companies make claims, promises and raise expectations in order to get business over competitors.

Sadly in some cases when guests arrive they realise not everything is quite what it appeared online.

Many claim, including ourselves, to be the best or most conservation orientated in the shark cage diving industry however the best yard stick for you is to let our previous clients and record of projects we have been involved in be a measure for you.

We try at all times to let guests know what they are in for upfront and although everyday is different and seasons vary which anyone interacting with wildlife should be aware of, we try to keep the variables of our shark cage diving trips to a minimum.

The ethos behind our business is based very firmly on our love for the wildlife we encounter, our staff, like us, are equally passionate and that is why they work for our company. Chris has worked with sharks and other wildlife on an almost daily basis since 1989 when he started a shark tagging project with local subsistence fishermen in our area. To date, this project has tagged and released over 1600 sharks and rays and saved thousands more. Chris worked in Gansbaai from 1991- 1995 (when the shark cage diving industry was started by Theo and Craig Ferreira). In 1996 Chris researched Seal Island False Bay as a possible shark cage diving eco-tourism location and incidentally discovered, with his friend Rob the now famous breaching shark behaviour seen on the many documentaries we have facilitated, worked on or presented. We have been here ever since favouring this location above all others.

In 1999 he was joined by his wife Monique and together they started their own company Apex Shark Expeditions, which focused more on a broad based shark and wildlife experience, rather than just the singular shark cage diving trips that our competitors were focused on. To date our company has led more than 1600 outings to Seal Island.

Nearly 40% of our clientele are return guests who in many cases have been on shark cage diving trips with several operators and so can compare apples with apples. A large percentage of our guests are also long stay guests, participating in 7-10 day expedition style packages led by some of the world’s most respected shark scientists and field biologists. This gives aspiring biologists, keen naturalists or just those with a passion for nature a great opportunity to really experience these animals in depth.

Apex’s knowledge of wildlife photography is well known and Chris’s work has been seen in most mainstream newspapers and magazines globally. As such our ability and that of our crew allows any photographers, amateur and professional alike to be in the best possible position for light and the action without compromising the animals. This is why Apex has been the first choice for many of the world’s top wildlife photographers and film crews.

BBC’s Planet Earth, Blue Planet and Life, Discovery Channels Air Jaws 1, 2 and Ultimate Air Jaws , Various National Geographic shows, 60 minutes and nearly 40 other documentaries have all been exclusively or in part facilitated by Apex Shark Expeditions.

Both Monique and Chris actively go to sea whenever possible. They have done this for the past 15 years in False Bay alone, not because they have to but because they want to and their passion for marine wildlife is unparalleled by competing shark cage diving operators.

False Bay truly is a very special place and it is a privilege to do what we do.

Based on this it is our aim that above all your shark cage diving trip is one in which you will come away with an appreciation for the wildlife we are fortunate to encounter.

Whilst the sharks are our primary focus we adopt an eco-system style of approach to our trips much like going on an African safari so all marine wildlife is observed and appreciated to give you a more complete experience.

Seeing the Great White Shark is and should be a highlight in anyone’s life.

As such we believe that this experience should not be rushed and you should have the opportunity to really take in the majesty of the animal.

To this end our trips are longer than any other operators with the smallest group sizes in the industry. We do not guarantee you a great sighting, as weather and the sharks themselves will dictate this, but we will try our best to offer you that chance.

We take a maximum of 12 guests on a trip although our vessel can easily take 20 or more as is offered elsewhere.

We also only place two guests in the cage at any time, unless a group wishes to have three. This gives you a decent period of time in a cage with few other people. Our shark cage diving trips are eco-friendly and client orientated, we are dedicated to ensuring that you have a memorable and informative experience.

A checklist you may wish to consider when booking.

1. Departure point of the trip. How far are you from your accommodation?
2. What other activities are in the area, what can I do before or after the shark cage diving trip?
3. Is this the high season for seeing sharks? Great Whites are seasonal animals.
4. What will be the likely temperature and visibility in the water?
5. Will it only be shark cage diving or is there a reasonable chance to see breaching and natural predation as well?
6. How many people will be on the boat with me, how personalised will the experience be?
7. How many people will be in the cage with me, once again will it be a personalised experience?
8. How experienced are the skipper and crew, what knowledge do they have of their subjects and will I be given any educational material to read about the area?
9. How ethically does the operator conduct itself in terms of the following:

a) Whilst sharks do occasionally unavoidably steal baits are the sharks intentionally fed, does the crew purposefully or conveniently let the sharks take bait at any time?

b) Are sharks pulled so close to the cages that they bash themselves on the cage or against the boat injuring themselves in the course?

c) Does the operator chum and if yes does he/she use shark livers that have been obtained through the killing of other sharks for the purpose of attracting great whites or use other environmentally insensitive methods?

10. With regards to safety, what are the weather limitations that the operator works under and how safe and seaworthy is the vessel?

11. What other wildlife do I have a reasonable chance of encountering on any given trip at the time of year I wish to book and how knowledgeable is the crew in helping gain a better understanding of the species encountered?

12. What has the operator done in terms of protecting the wildlife they work with? Many talk a good game and have lots of badges and affiliations but what have they actually done to help sharks/wildlife from being poached, harmed or exploited?

If you are allowing a booking agent/concierge or any other 3rd party to book your shark cage diving trip be sure that they ask these questions as many booking agents work purely on commission and some may book you with any company that offers a good kick back irrespective of the service provided.

The bottom line is this:

Make sure that the operator you choose can deliver on what your expectations and required ethics are when working with animals whilst being realistic as to the uncertainty that comes with any true wildlife adventure.

Not every day is a Planet Earth day, but we will do our best to make it a special one.