Tour Highlights :
• 2 day Sharks and Whales combo
• Boat based whale watching from Hermanus
• Great White Shark Cage dive from Gansbaai
• Luxury accommodation in Hermanus.
• Wine tasting at a top wine estate.
• Lunch in the mountains overlooking Walker Bay.
• Magnificent Coastal drive
On day one we collect you from your accommodation in Cape Town and drive 140 km to Hermanus, the whale watching capital of the world. On the way we stop at a number of interesting coastal viewpoints and have breakfast at the Botanical Gardens at Betty’s Bay.
From there we travel the rest of the way to Hermanus to join Hermanus Whale Cruises on one of their scheduled boat based whale cruises. This sea cruise lasts about two hours. As a permit holder for Sub-area 2, Hermanus Whale cruises is permitted to approach whales up to 50 meters. The whales normally turn and approach the boat – often coming as close as 1 meter! We are then allowed to remain in position alongside the whales for up to 20 minutes.
Depending on your appetite and the weather we can have lunch at a restaurant built into the caves overlooking Walker Bay or at a restaurant high up in the hills of the Hemel-en-aarde valley. In the afternoon we visit the wine estate of Hamilton Russell in the Hemel-en-aarde valley just behind the mountains overlooking Hermanus.
In the evening you relax in the comfort of your 4 star luxury accommodation situated along the shore overlooking Walker Bay. Watch the whales from the private balcony of your spacious suite. Choose to have dinner in your hotel or out at one of the many excellent restaurants in the village. On the morning of day two we travel through to the village of Gansbaai. There you board the shark-chaser - Apex Predator. The trip normally starts at about 10am, taking about 4 to 5 hours. Once on board, it is a 5 mile (8 km) voyage to the diving site off Dyer Island.
All the necessary diving equipment is supplied on the boat, including wet suits, masks and towels. No experience is required if you want to go down in the cage. At times the water will be rough or far too murky to use the cage but viewing from the boat is still an awesome experience, with excellent photo opportunities. The cage is of the floating-variety and is custom-made with 10mm galvanized steel mesh. The sharks cannot get inside, and they don't try. The cage is attached to the boat at all times and floats on the surface. You can climb in and out at any time.
Your safety is paramount on this trip. Passengers are fitted with comfortable inflatable life-jackets. For your peace of mind the operator has extensive public liability insurance. The cage is made out of a 25 mm galvanized mild steel frame and covered with 10 mm galvanized mild steel security mesh. Warm clothing, a cap, sun block, and camera are essential items for the trip. A light lunch, cool drink, fruit & other snacks will be provided on board. We also have seasick tablets, protective jackets and underwater cameras (R150.00) available. A DVD of the day's activities is also available at an extra cost of R350.00.
Great White Shark Tours is a licensed shark cage diving operator. There are only eight operators who have exemptions to undertake Great White Shark Cage Diving in order to attract Great White Sharks issued by the Republic of South Africa's Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism of which Brian McFarlane is one. In addition they are accredited members of the Great White Shark Protection Foundation. This wonderful package offers some experiences of a lifetime and is on offer from June until November, when the whales return to the Antarctic feeding grounds.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Collection from Cape Town,
- Transport in private 4 x 4 vehicle,
- Qualified field guide/ driver,
- Great white shark cage diving,
- Boat based whale watching,
- Accommodation in 4 star hotel,
- Lunches, wine tasting at a top wine estate.
Price Excludes:
- Evening meal and alcoholic drinks.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
South Africa
Wildlife Viewing
Ecotourism
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