Next Shark Cage Diving Trip: 1 May 2024
Join us for an unforgettable shark tour on 1 May 2024 at 09:00 or 12:00.
On January 1st 2016, after an incredible December, white shark sightings began to slow down in Gansbaai. Cage diving operators are returning from sea reporting no sightings of white sharks despite extensive attempts to find them, for over a week. There are eight companies each trying different parts of the bay daily. Many speculative statements get thrown about whenever drops in the shark’s numbers occur. Therefore, we have attempted to address some real possibilities...
Seasonality: December, January and February are generally quieter months in terms of white shark numbers in Gansbaai. Even though viewing is possible year round the overall number of sightings per trip is usually the lowest. Tagging and boat based data show there are less white sharks around in Western Cape waters, particularly later in summer.
Environmental conditions: We are currently in the middle of a major ‘El Nino’ event, just looking at the floods in Europe and droughts elsewhere one can see that climate conditions are abnormal. As a result, ocean temperatures are warmer along many coasts. This may well alter the prey species distribution for white sharks and thus they follow them into other areas. Just last week Sun fish, Trevally and various other warm water species were reported in Gansbaai. We know the strength of climatic phase varies (ENSO index) which may influence white shark numbers and sexual composition significantly. Warmer water temperatures may be preferentially selected by female white sharks due to higher growth rate demands for breeding. Also rapid drops in water temperature can be thermally stressful for many species, in the space of three days sea surface temperature dropped from 19 °C to 11°C in Gansbaai!
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Marine Dynamics is an award-winning ecotourism company based in Kleinbaai, just outside Gansbaai, South Africa. The Marine Dynamics team invites you to an adrenaline-fuelled shark cage diving adventure, where you will meet some of the ocean's most loved inhabitants. Passengers can choose to dive wit...
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Read MoreJoin us for an unforgettable shark tour on 1 May 2024 at 09:00 or 12:00.
What a day we had! Our guests were all excited for the adventure out at sea!
Ready for an adrenaline-packed Thursday? Join us for an unforgettable shark tour on 25 April 2024 at 11:00.
The start of our trip was slow waiting for sharks but after we re-anchored, we were very lucky to see our Bronze whalers...
Our trips today were cold but the water visibility was very clear!!
Ready for an adrenaline-packed Thursday?