Our Boat and Cage

Safe, Well-designed and Powerful

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White Pointer II is the name of our 35 ft. catamaran. This boat was specifically built for the purpose of working, viewing and diving with Great white sharks in the waters of the Western Cape. She complies with all safety requirements and Great white shark permit conditions. She carries all the necessary safety equipment and is certified on an annual basis by SAMSA, the authority responsible for maritime safety in South Africa. We are committed to achieving and maintaining a high standard of health and safety both on land and at sea. We will always strive to set the standards of a safe boat-based operation, going beyond our legal obligations to manage any potential risks effectively and provide a safe environment for all involved.

Features

  • She takes a maximum of 12 guests on board, the smallest trips in the industry
  • Built with photography in mind, the vessel allows guests 360 degree walk-around opportunities, as well as a fly bridge for alternate angles
  • The upper viewing deck comfortably accommodates 6 guests
  • She is powered by two 300 HP, 4-stroke Suzuki engines. These match a quiet, stable ride with speed and fuel efficiency thereby saving on our carbon footprint
  • She boasts a fully enclosed wrap-around cabin. The curved windscreens offer superb visibility from inside the cabin and the cushioned seats offer comfort
  • Flush toilet
  • Dry storage lockers

Hygiene and Safety

  • Our boat surfaces and frequently touched areas are sanitized before you board the vessel, as well as during and after every excursion
  • Hand sanitizer is conveniently positioned aboard
  • All items utilized by you on board will be appropriately sanitized and cleaned during excursions
  • Handling of any necessary equipment on board will be carried out by the skipper and crew and not by our guests
  • The crew are registered tour guides trained in first aid, fire – fighting and are subjected to stringent monthly safety drills
  • Safety equipment includes life jackets, first aid kit, radio and cellular phone

Shark Cage Diving – the Safe Way

Our shark cage is constructed with galvanized steel and certified by a registered engineer. Further to this the South African cage-diving industry is regulated by a code of conduct and regulations from Marine and Coastal Management DAFF. Our equipment meets all the required safety standards and the experience of our crew ensure that you’re in good hands.

No experience is required to shark cage dive. We use the breath-hold technique as visibility can be limited and eyeball time with the animals’ underwater usually only lasts a few seconds at a time.  Our experienced and professional crew will give you direction to ensure maximum shark viewing whilst cage diving. A hookah scuba system is available for certified divers upon request. Please indicate when making your booking.

Boat Based Viewing

If you don’t want to get wet, the boat based viewing is excellent as many of the sharks swim at the surface. Our surface viewing deck offers 360 degrees view and our enclosed cabin offers cover and protection from the elements.  As the boat based viewing is equal if not better than the cage dive viewing, divers and non-divers pay the same price for the shark trip.

Hygiene

  • Wetsuits, masks and snorkels are disinfected, rinsed in fresh water and dried before every use.
  • Each guest will receive equipment that has been thoroughly disinfected and rinsed
  • Upon removal of wetsuits, booties, gloves, masks and snorkels, all items are immediately put into a disinfectant solution
  • Each piece of equipment is only used once per day
  • Guests are not allowed to share any equipment or towels that belong to Apex Shark Expeditions.

Safety First

  • All shark cage diving is done under the supervision of an experienced crew who have first aid & oxygen management, scuba & commercial skippers’ qualifications and have expert knowledge of the behaviour of sharks around the cage
  • The cage is designed to float, leaving a free board of about 30cm (about one foot). The cage is solidly attached to the side of the boat by two thick ropes that prevent the cage from drifting away and equipped with several independent flotation devices which keep it buoyant
  • Our cage has been designed to ensure there are no sharp edges on which a shark can injure itself in the event one should touch the cage accidentally
  • The shark cage we use is a surface cage. It is not a submersible shark cage. Our crews are close to cage at all times and will ensure any guest in distress is quickly and safely removed from the cage.
  • You may end your shark cage dive at any time as we operate surface cages only. Your head is never more than half a meter below the surface and you can decide when and how long you want to stay underwater
  • Specially designed doors ensure ease of access for divers. Getting into the cage is as simple as stepping off the boat
  • Our cage comfortably accommodates a GoPro camera and is equipped with steel hand and foot bars inside offering grip and stability when filming

 

Wildlife Sightings Cannot Be Guaranteed.

We Will However, Give You Realistic Expectations before Making A Booking.

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The First Choice Shark Cage Diving Operator For:

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The Cage - PREMIUM DESIGN. PROVEN SAFETY

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The Best View. The Highest Confidence. The Strongest Cage We’ve Ever Built.

At Apex Shark Expeditions, your safety has always been our highest priority. After three decades of operating shark experiences, we’ve combined our practical knowledge with modern engineering to create what we believe is one of the most advanced commercial shark diving cages in the industry.

Our custom-built cage has been professionally engineered using high-strength marine-grade aluminium and independently verified to Eurocode 9, one of the world’s leading structural engineering standards for aluminium structures. Designed specifically for commercial shark diving, the cage has been engineered to withstand forces well beyond those generated by large bronze whaler sharks, providing exceptional strength, rigidity, and peace of mind.

Unlike traditional cages, every component has been designed with both guest comfort and structural integrity in mind. The rigid frame, reinforced construction and premium engineering ensure an incredibly stable platform while providing outstanding underwater visibility.

When you’re face-to-face with one of the ocean’s most powerful predators, the last thing you should be thinking about is the cage. That’s why we’ve invested in designing equipment that allows you to focus entirely on the experience.

Why Our Cage Stands Apart

  • Professionally engineered and independently verified using Eurocode 9 structural standards.
  • Constructed from premium marine-grade EN AW-6082-T6 aluminium for exceptional corrosion resistance and strength.
  • Engineered to withstand shark impact forces significantly greater than those generated during normal shark interactions.
  • Rigid, reinforced frame minimises movement and maximises stability.
  • Large viewing panels provide exceptional underwater visibility.
  • Surface cage design allows guests to enter and exit quickly and comfortably.
  • Specially designed access doors make entering the cage as simple as stepping aboard.
  • Internal hand and foot rails provide excellent stability while viewing or filming sharks.
  • Spacious design comfortably accommodates guests using GoPro and underwater cameras.

Designed for Your Safety

Every shark cage dive is supervised by our highly experienced crew, who hold qualifications in first aid, oxygen administration, scuba diving, and commercial vessel operations, together with extensive experience working around sharks.

Our floating surface cage remains securely attached to the vessel at all times and incorporates multiple independent flotation systems for added redundancy. Because the cage operates at the surface, your head is never more than approximately half a metre below the water. You remain completely in control of your experience and may surface or leave the cage whenever you wish.

The cage has also been designed with smooth, rounded surfaces to minimise the risk of accidental contact should a shark brush against it.

Our operations comply with the South African shark cage diving regulations and industry Code of Conduct, ensuring every experience meets the highest recognised operational standards.

No Experience Necessary

Anyone with a sense of adventure can enjoy shark cage diving.

We use the simple breath-hold technique, as underwater encounters are typically brief and visibility naturally varies depending on ocean conditions. Before entering the cage, our crew provides a full briefing and guides you throughout the experience to ensure you enjoy the very best possible views of the sharks.

For certified scuba divers, an integrated hookah air system is available on request. Please let us know when making your reservation if you would like to use this option.

Exceptional Boat-Based Viewing

Not everyone chooses to enter the cage—and many of our guests are surprised to discover that the boat offers equally spectacular viewing opportunities.

Bronze whaler sharks spend much of their time close to the surface, allowing incredible sightings directly from the vessel. Our spacious viewing decks provide uninterrupted 360-degree views, while the enclosed cabin offers shelter and comfort in all weather conditions.

Because both divers and non-divers enjoy the same world-class wildlife experience, the trip price is identical whether you choose to enter the cage or not.

Hygiene & Equipment Standards

Guest comfort and hygiene are just as important as safety.

Every wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and bootie is thoroughly disinfected, rinsed in fresh water and dried before use. Each item of equipment is allocated to a single guest for the day and is never shared between guests.

Immediately after use, all equipment is sanitised before entering our comprehensive cleaning and drying process, ensuring every guest receives fresh, hygienically prepared equipment.

From the moment you step aboard until the moment you return to shore, every aspect of your experience has been designed to deliver the highest levels of professionalism, comfort, and safety.