At Sharklady Adventures, you’re not just joining a tour – you’re becoming part of our family. For over 36 years, we’ve been sharing the incredible marine life of Gansbaai with guests from around the world through safe, educational, and conservation-driven shark cage diving experiences. Many of our dedicated crew members have been with us for up to 24 years, creating a close-knit team whose passion, knowledge, and commitment shine through on every trip. From the moment you arrive until you return to shore, you’ll experience the genuine South African hospitality, professionalism, and personal care that have made Sharklady Adventures a trusted name in shark cage diving in Gansbaai.
Few people have shaped South Africa’s shark cage diving industry quite like Kim “Sharklady” Maclean. Operating since 1992, Kim has dedicated more than three decades to protecting sharks, educating the public, and creating unforgettable marine experiences. Her lifelong passion for sharks began at an early age and led her to join the Department of Sea Fisheries after matriculating from Cape Town High School in 1978, where she worked across several marine research divisions. She later became involved in extensive Great White Shark research programmes and was one of the first people to successfully tag Great White Sharks in South Africa. Today, Sharklady Adventures proudly maintains a 100% safety record, reflecting Kim’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, conservation, and guest safety.
Founded in 2001, Sharklady Adventures was built on Kim’s vision to care, protect and educate people about sharks and the marine environment. Beyond offering world-class shark cage diving experiences, the company has always played an active role in conservation through educational initiatives, research projects, and regular community ocean clean-up campaigns. In 2011, when South Africa introduced the first official five-year shark cage diving permits, Kim helped lead the industry’s evolution into a professional, conservation-focused sector. As Chairperson of the Great White Shark Protection Foundation, she works closely with government on industry standards and shark research, helping to protect one of the ocean’s most misunderstood predators. More than 30 years after beginning her journey, Kim and her dedicated team continue to inspire thousands of guests every year while sharing their passion for the incredible marine life of Gansbaai.
Our commitment to you
At Sharklady Adventures, your safety, enjoyment and experience are at the heart of everything we do. From the moment you make your booking until you step back on shore, our dedicated crew is committed to providing a professional, friendly and unforgettable adventure. We operate with the highest safety standards, treat every guest with genuine South African hospitality, and have a deep respect for the ocean and its wildlife. Whether you’re joining us for your very first shark cage diving Gansbaai experience or returning for another adventure, we promise to deliver an authentic, conservation-focused marine encounter that creates memories to last a lifetime.
Sharklady Adventures offers exclusive cage diving trips and educational tours with copper and/or great white sharks in Gansbaai daily. This means that your shark cage diving trip is more informative and you’ll have more time in the cage. We are committed to being a responsible and eco-friendly operation.
Shark cage diving is an awesome experience from both above and below the surface. Getting close to these most magnificent oceanic predators leaves you feeling exhilarated to say the least!
Sharklady Adventures complies with the strictest codes of conduct and safety for our clients, our boat, and the sharks, as laid down by local Marine & Coastal Management. We are proud to have a 100% safety record.
Your shark trip day begins at our crew house, conveniently located at 16 Geelbek Street, Van Dyk’s Bay (Kleinbaai). After arriving, you’ll enjoy freshly brewed coffee and a light breakfast while meeting your skipper and crew. During this time you’ll complete your indemnity forms, make payment for your tour, and receive a detailed safety and dive briefing explaining exactly what to expect during your adventure.
Once everyone is ready, we take the short walk to the harbour where our vessel awaits.
After departing the harbour, it’s just a short cruise to the world-famous waters surrounding Shark Alley. Once we reach our dive site, the crew carefully prepares the area by attracting sharks using environmentally responsible methods.
While we wait for the first sharks to arrive, divers are fitted with wetsuits and dive equipment, all of which is included in your tour. No scuba certification is required, making this experience suitable for first-time divers and families alike. Children from 8 years of age, or younger by prior arrangement, are welcome to participate.
As soon as the sharks arrive, excitement builds as the cage is lowered alongside the boat and groups of 4 to 6 guests enter the cage for their unforgettable encounter.
Our smaller cage is designed to create a more intimate experience with fewer people underwater at any one time. This means better visibility, more space and more opportunities to enjoy close encounters with the sharks.
Under the guidance of your experienced dive master, you’ll simply hold your breath and gently pull yourself beneath the surface as each shark glides past the cage. For guests wanting to spend longer underwater, our Air-in-Cage system is available as an optional upgrade for R350 per person, allowing comfortable breathing beneath the surface.
Most guests spend approximately 20 minutes underwater, and on many trips there is enough time for a second cage dive.
Not everyone wants to enter the cage – and that’s perfectly fine.
Our spacious vessel offers excellent boat-based shark viewing, allowing non-divers, photographers and family members to witness the incredible shark activity from the comfort of the deck. Watching these magnificent predators from above the water is just as thrilling and makes this an experience everyone can enjoy.
Once everyone has had an unforgettable experience, we secure the cage and make our way back to the harbour. Along the journey, keep your eyes open for Southern Right Whales (July to December), dolphins, Cape Fur Seals, seabirds and other marine wildlife that frequently visit the area.
Back at the crew house, you’ll be welcomed with hot homemade soup, coffee and a warm shower to help you relax after your adventure. Before departing, you’ll have a chance to purchase your day-trip video to relive your experience and have the opportunity to browse our souvenir shop for the perfect keepsake.
We look forward to welcoming you aboard and sharing one of South Africa’s most unforgettable marine adventures.
Enhance your shark cage diving Gansbaai experience with optional air in the cage for just R350 per person, allowing you to breathe comfortably through an air hose while spending more time observing the sharks beneath the surface. Want to relive the adventure? GoPro rentals are available on request, so you can capture incredible underwater footage and unforgettable memories to share with family and friends.
Your shark cage diving experience is only as good as the equipment and crew behind it. At Sharklady Adventures, we have carefully designed every aspect of your experience—from our purpose-built vessel and secure shark cage to our reliable surface air supply system—to maximise safety, comfort, and your time in the water. Whether you’re an experienced diver or stepping into a shark cage for the first time, you’ll have the opportunity to observe sharks up close using professionally maintained equipment designed specifically for shark cage diving. Learn more about our boat, the cage, and how our basic hookah (surface air supply) works, so you know exactly what to expect before your adventure begins.
Every unforgettable shark cage diving adventure begins aboard Lady T, Sharklady Adventures’ purpose-built shark cage diving catamaran. Designed by Kim “Sharklady” Maclean herself, Lady T was built specifically for Great White Shark cage diving, with every aspect of the vessel carefully planned to maximise passenger comfort, safety, shark viewing, and filming opportunities. More than just a boat, Lady T represents decades of practical experience and a genuine passion for introducing people to sharks in their natural environment.
Built by Butt Cat in 2008, Lady T is an approximately 11 to 12-metre catamaran powered by twin 200 HP four-stroke Suzuki engines. The catamaran hull provides excellent stability on the water, while the extended bow was specifically incorporated into the design to deliver a smoother, more comfortable ride as you travel to the shark diving site.
Unlike some vessels that have simply been adapted for shark cage diving, Lady T was designed from the ground up around the needs of both guests and crew. Kim worked tirelessly to perfect every detail of the layout, ensuring there is ample space to move around comfortably while enjoying uninterrupted views of the surrounding ocean. The spacious deck design also provides plenty of room for photographers and videographers to capture incredible wildlife encounters without feeling crowded.
Lady T is equipped with practical onboard facilities to make your trip as comfortable as possible. A dry change room allows guests to prepare for their dive away from the elements, while a private heads compartment (toilet) adds convenience during the excursion. Above the main deck, the large upper viewing deck offers a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the surrounding waters, making it an ideal place to watch for sharks, whales, dolphins, seabirds, and other marine life while taking in the beautiful scenery of the Gansbaai coastline.
Proudly displaying the colours of the South African flag, Lady T reflects both Sharklady Adventures’ South African heritage and Kim Maclean’s lifelong commitment to marine conservation and shark education. The vessel remains one of her proudest achievements, combining thoughtful design with years of practical experience to create a boat that is perfectly suited to providing safe, comfortable, and memorable shark cage diving experiences.
Ready to experience Lady T for yourself? Join Sharklady Adventures for an unforgettable shark cage diving adventure in Gansbaai and discover why our purpose-built vessel has been designed with your comfort, safety, and shark encounters in mind. Whether it’s your first shark dive or another exciting addition to your ocean adventures, we look forward to welcoming you aboard for an experience you’ll never forget.
At Sharklady Adventures, our shark cage has been designed to provide guests with a safe, comfortable, and unforgettable way to experience sharks in their natural environment. Positioned alongside Lady T, the cage offers exceptional underwater viewing while allowing you to feel completely immersed in the experience without requiring scuba equipment or prior diving experience.
The cage comfortably accommodates four people at a time, giving friends and families the opportunity to share the excitement together. Its spacious design provides plenty of room to move, making it suitable for both first-time cage divers and experienced ocean enthusiasts. Over the years, the cage has become the setting for countless unforgettable memories – including marriage proposals and even weddings beneath the surface – making it far more than just a viewing platform.
Manufactured using durable steel construction, the cage is built to withstand the demanding marine environment while providing a stable and secure experience in the water. Strong handrails, a reinforced floor, and a practical layout allow guests to enter and exit comfortably while maintaining excellent visibility throughout their dive.
Families are also welcome to enjoy this incredible experience. Children from the age of five may participate by special request, subject to the Divemaster’s discretion and permission. Every child is individually assessed to ensure the experience is appropriate for their age, confidence level, and the prevailing sea conditions, with safety always remaining the highest priority.
At Sharklady Adventures, we use a Basic Hookah (surface air supply) that delivers breathable air from compressed cylinders on the boat directly to the diver’s regulator through a dedicated hose. The system is simple, reliable, and well suited to the shallow depths used during shark cage diving.
Some operators market a similar cylinder-based system as “hookah diving.” Traditionally, however, a hookah system refers to a dedicated surface-supplied diving system, often using a compressor and additional air management equipment. These systems are more complex to operate and, depending on local regulations and the type of diving, may require specialised training, qualifications, or regulatory compliance. Sharklady’s surface air supply is known as Basic Hookah, not simply hookah.
Because our system uses compressed air cylinders rather than a traditional hookah setup, we describe it by its technically accurate name: a surface air supply, also known as basic hookah. This gives guests a clear understanding of the equipment they will be using while avoiding confusing marketing terminology.
Before your dive, our experienced crew provides a comprehensive safety briefing and demonstrates exactly how to use the regulator and surface air supply system. No previous diving experience or certification is required– simply breathe normally and enjoy the incredible experience of observing sharks up close from the safety of the cage. Our goal is to ensure every guest feels confident, comfortable, and fully prepared before entering the water. Children 10 and up can use our basic hookah.
Our friendly senior reservationist is available 24 hours (well almost), 7 days a week to assist you by phone, WhatsApp or email, and we’re happy to answer your questions or help you book your shark cage diving Gansbaai adventure at any time. We pride ourselves on responding quickly, so you can expect prompt, professional and personal service whenever you get in touch.
Adults R2400-00
Children 5 years to 12 years R1400
Todlers under 5 Free
Group Discounts Available
Special Offer Gift Voucher Ticket R1950
This gift voucher ticket offers the full shark cage diving experience in Gansbaai. Massive discount at only R2...
