Explore Gansbaai
Gansbaai is located in the Western Cape region of South Africa, only 170km from the capital city of Cape Town. Though it is a quiet fishing village, it has become known as a popular tourist destination, primarily for its close encounters with the most famous predators in the sea - the great white shark. This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in South Africa, bringing in thousands of visitors each year.
The diving scene here is very much based around cage diving with great whites. Very few dive centers offer any other dives in fact and finding somewhere to do dive courses is a challenge. Dive resorts and liveaboards aren’t popular here either as the oceans around the Western Cape can be unpredictable.
Of course, the highlights of diving here are the shark encounters. There is some controversy over whether or not the baiting of great whites has a correlation with the increased attacks on surfers and swimmers in recent years, but whether you agree with it or not, baited cage diving is big business in Gansbaai.
Top Gansbaai Dive Sites
1. Shark Alley (Dyer Island & Geyser Rock)
This world-famous site lies in the channel between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock, just off Gansbaai. Scuba divers (via cage diving) can see great white sharks up to 6 m long. It’s a thrilling, advanced-level dive due to the nature of the experience. The area is a protected marine zone and home to thousands of Cape fur seals, the sharks’ natural prey.
2. Cage Diving off Gansbaai Coast
Several sites off Gansbaai’s shoreline are used for cage diving with great whites. These are boat-accessible and vary by conditions. Though not a traditional reef or wreck dive, the encounters offer unique insights into apex predator behavior. Adventure level is advanced; scuba only.
3. Kopsteen Reef (en route to Cape Town)
Located along the coast heading toward Cape Town, this rocky reef hosts kelp forests, small reef fish, nudibranchs, and shysharks. Suitable for intermediate divers. Scuba only. A good alternative for those seeking natural reefs rather than predator-focused dives.
4. Windmill Beach (Simon’s Town area)
About two hours from Gansbaai, this protected bay is perfect for beginners and training dives. Expect calm waters, granite boulders, and a variety of reef fish and invertebrates. Scuba and freediving are both possible. A relaxing contrast to Gansbaai’s adrenaline-heavy shark encounters.
5. Shoreline Freediving (Marked: Freediving Possible)
The kelp-rich shallows near Gansbaai’s coast offer limited but scenic freediving opportunities for spotting small marine life such as sea stars, urchins, and crabs. This is suitable for easy, unguided exploration in calm conditions—though not recommended when shark activity is high.