Our Boat and Cage

White Pointer II – Purpose-Built for the Ultimate Shark Experience

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Our purpose-built specialist shark diving vessel for intimate, small-group experiences

For nearly two decades, White Pointer II has been the trusted workhorse of Apex Shark Expeditions, purpose-built from the keel up for shark diving and marine wildlife encounters in the waters of Cape Town.

Unlike many commercial vessels that have been adapted for tourism, White Pointer II was specifically designed for working safely around sharks, providing guests with exceptional viewing opportunities, outstanding stability, and an intimate onboard experience.

Every year she undergoes comprehensive inspections and certification by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), ensuring she meets all required maritime safety standards. She also complies fully with South Africa’s shark cage diving permit conditions and carries all mandatory safety equipment.

Our commitment extends beyond compliance. We continually invest in our vessels and operating procedures to ensure every guest enjoys the safest, most comfortable, and most professional experience possible.

Designed Around the Guest Experience

One of the biggest advantages of White Pointer II is what she doesn’t carry—large crowds.

With a maximum capacity of just 12 guests, every trip feels personal. There is plenty of room to move around the vessel, enjoy uninterrupted wildlife viewing and spend quality time with our experienced crew and marine guides.

Fewer guests also mean:

    • More personal interaction with our crew.
    • Less waiting to enter the shark cage.
    • More space for photography.
    • A relaxed, uncrowded atmosphere throughout the trip.

Built for Photography

Whether you’re capturing your first shark encounter or photographing marine wildlife professionally, White Pointer II has been designed to maximise every angle.

Guests enjoy unrestricted 360-degree walk-around access, allowing everyone the opportunity to position themselves for the perfect shot without feeling crowded.

An elevated flybridge provides a completely different perspective for photography and wildlife observation, while the spacious upper viewing deck comfortably accommodates six guests.

Powerful, Quiet and Efficient

White Pointer II is powered by twin 300 hp Suzuki four-stroke engines, delivering the ideal balance of power, reliability, and fuel efficiency.

The quiet four-stroke technology reduces engine noise, creating a more enjoyable experience for guests while also lowering fuel consumption and reducing our environmental footprint.

The catamaran hull provides exceptional stability, delivering a smoother ride in varying sea conditions and making time on the water more comfortable for everyone onboard.

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.

Comfort at Sea

Long before luxury became fashionable in marine tourism, White Pointer II was designed with guest comfort in mind.

Features include:

  • Fully enclosed wrap-around cabin with panoramic visibility.
  • Comfortable cushioned seating.
  • Large, curved windscreens for excellent sightseeing in all weather.
  • Flush marine toilet.
  • Dry storage lockers for personal belongings.
  • Easy access throughout the vessel.
  • Spacious viewing decks for uninterrupted wildlife encounters.

White Pointer II continues to represent everything Apex Shark Expeditions stands for—purpose-built design, uncompromising safety, exceptional guest experiences and three decades of industry-leading expertise.

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.