Additional Info 
Our Vessel – White Pointer II ……..Safe and Spacious
White Pointer II was launched in June 2008 and is specially designed to include special features needed on a shark cage diving vessel to make the experience safer and more comfortable for guests.
White Pointer II is 36ft long with a fully enclosed wrap around cabin. The curved windscreens offer superb visibility from inside the cabin. She is also completely walk-around friendly allowing for the best viewing and photographic opportunities.
There are cushioned seats, a flush toilet and ample dry storage lockers.
WP2 has an upper viewing deck comfortably supporting 6 passengers.
The marlin doors allow for easy access for divers entering and exiting the cage.
She is powered by 2 x 225hp 4 stroke Honda engines. This means the boat is not only quiet with low fuel emissions but is also fast and very stable
She complies with all safety requirements and Great white shark permit conditions. We send the boat for annual safety inspections at the South African Maritime Safety Authority. Safety equipment includes life jackets, first aid kit, radio and cellular phone. We have chosen to limit our vessel to a maximum of 12 guests even though similar sized vessels in other white shark areas take 20-45 guests. We know that the awesome experience of seeing Great white sharks is so much more enjoyable in a spacious environment. This also gives our team a greater opportunity to interact and share their knowledge with each guest.
The Cage:
The cage is a specifically constructed steel cage with viewing ports and has passed all shark cage diving permit conditions.
It is a large three man cage that floats on the surface right next to the boat so we are able to communicate with you whilst in the cage.
To make cage diving as easy as possible access to the shark cage is through specially designed Marlin doors. This makes getting into the cage as simple as stepping off the boat.
How deep is the cage in the water?
The cage remains afloat and about 80 centimeters of the cage is above the water mark at all times. The cage is also solidly attached to the boat with two thick ropes that further prevent it from sinking or drifting away from the boat. The bottom of the cage is lying two meters below the surface.
Will I scuba dive in the cage or just breath hold?
In most conditions, we prefer not to use scuba equipment which produces a lot of noise and bubbles under the water. This often keeps the sharks from coming close. You will have a better chance of seeing the sharks if we can communicate the direction the sharks are coming from, especially when the water visibility is poor. However if you prefer to use scuba equipment, and if you area qualified scuba diver, we will provide you with a regulator to dive in the cage once everyone else has dived. This is done by means of the hookar system – air fed from the vessel.
Am I allowed to scuba dive in the cage with a PADI Open Water diving certification?
Yes, but we recommend that you do not use scuba equipment in the cage due to the potential negative effect that the bubbles and noise create, keeping the naturally cautious sharks at a distance. In clear underwater visibility conditions, this becomes less of an issue, but when the visibility is reduced, we discourage the use of scuba equipment in the cage, until everyone else has seen the sharks underwater by snorkeling.
Is the cage attached to the boat?
Yes. The cage is designed to float at the surface, leaving a free board of about 30cm or one foot. But the cage is always solidly attached to the side of the boat with two thick ropes that prevent the cage from drifting away.
How many people can go into the cage?
Although our cage is a three man cage, we choose to dive only two guests at any time.
Does the cage have a lid?
Yes, After you have entered the cage safely, the lid is closed.
How long can I stay in the cage?
This will mostly depend on the number of people on the boat and especially the number of guests who wish to go into the cage. Two guests enter the cage at a time. Your first cage dive will be relatively short, just long enough for you to see a White Shark. We will then alternate all the guests who wish to dive in the cage, and once everyone has had a chance to see the sharks from the cage, you then can return for a second dive, should time allow. You should get 20 to 30 minutes in the cage.
Is the cage safe?
Yes. 100% safe. The Shark cage is constructed with galvanized steel and equipped with many independent flotation devices to keep it aloft. It is attached to the boat with solid ropes and has a lid which is closed upon entering the cage.
All shark cage diving is done under the auspices of experienced crew who have first Aid & oxygen management, scuba & commercial skippers’ qualifications and have expert knowledge of the behavior of sharks around the cage.
NOTE: All diving is on snorkel so you do not need a scuba qualification to shark cage dive. Scuba is available to those who do have a qualification.
