White Shark Cage Diving & Viewing Tours White Shark Ecoventures (established 1992) offers daily shark diving/sighting tours (weather permitting) off Gansbaai, a mere stone-throw away from the most southern tip of the African Continent. Approx. 12km offshore from Gansbaai (2hrs drive from Cape Town) we find two islands situated next to each other. Due to a number of geographical reasons - one being the shallow and narrow channel that runs between these two islands - Dyer Island has become known as one of only two unique areas in the world, where the chances to view the great white shark, rises exceptionally high. A colony of approximately 40000 Cape Fur Seals inhabit the smaller Island (Geyser Rock). Other wildlife species such as Cape Gannets, Cape Cormorants, African Penguins, whales and dolphins are also likely to be sighted. Once anchored in the channel, we make use of a securely designed 6-man steel cage, which floats on the surface, with divers no more than 1m below the surface. Experienced divers are able to dive on scuba while inexperienced divers are able to enjoy the same experience on snorkel. Snorkeling is equally comfortable and safe. White sharks are indeed surface feeders, providing brilliant surface viewing from the safety of the shark-viewing deck of the boat. Our shark handlers are trained to bring the sharks close-up against the side of the boat, with the head and the jaws clearly visible. We are in possession of a valid White Shark Cage Diving Operators Permit (issued by government), enabling us to work within the Dyer Island nature reserve area (copy of permit available upon request). Only long-standing operators who are in compliance with certain safety regulations and code of conduct, are entitled to this permit. All our facilities are closely inspected by authorities on an annual basis, ensuring maximum safety for all our guests. We have just acquired the largest, most modern and luxurious boat available in the shark diving industry. Megalodon II is a newly built stable catamaran, measuring 11 x 3.8 meters and therefore offering the ultimate stability at sea. She undertook her first shark diving tour on the 1st of July 2005 and although she can accommodate 50 SEATED passengers, we had her licensed for a maximum of 30 passengers only. This ensures plenty of extra room and maximum cage diving time for all divers. Our boat offers state-of-the-art facilities which includes; sophisticated and securely structured 6-man steel cage, spacious cabin, large upper shark-viewing deck, sunbathing area, private lockable toilet, fresh water showers, private restroom with bed, fresh drinking water, wet deck and separate dry-deck for maximum comfort. She is fully licensed to SA safety standards and is equipped with 2 radio's, radar equipment, navigation equipment, depth finder, echo sounder, medical first aid kit (including oxygen an fluid replacement), current safety equipment, life vests for all passengers and a 50-man life raft. Our boat, cage and life raft are inspected on an annual basis, ensuring maximum safety for all our passengers We own 2 luxurious Mercedes Sprinter shuttle busses (14 and 21 seater), fully equipped with air-conditioning, PA system and CD player. We have fully comprehensive insurance on our boat and both our shuttle busses, which include adequate Passenger Liability and 3rd party cover. We hold valid Road Carrier Permits on our busses, and our drivers are all Public Drivers Permit holders. Each crew member is highly qualified in his/her specific field and together have more than 12 years experience with the white sharks. Crew qualifications consist of; A1 (1) commercially licensed skippers, level 3 Medics; Satour Registered specialised tour guides; Dive Masters and qualified shark handlers. Our skippers are licensed with ICASA (Independent Commission Authority of SA as well as SAMSA (SA Maritime and Safety Authority. A step-by-step emergency flow chart is available inside the cabin of our vessel. Capture this once-in-a-lifetime personal experience on film and take it home to show to your friends and family. We offer the services of a professional underwater videographer who is highly experienced in this field. Your personal experience will be captured on a high quality video / DVD (above and underwater) and a copy will be made available to you after the tour at a minimal cost. We offer the following items on sale; underwater disposable camera’s, T-Shirts, P-Caps, Wine, Video’s, DVD’s etc. Please ask your tour guide on the day of the tour. (Rates apply to divers and non-divers) Rates are valid until the 31st of December 2006 Tour Offers For the very best opportunity to successfully view and dive with the great whites at “Shark Alley”, multiple day packages during months April to October, is highly recommended. 1 DAY TOUR – R 1375.00 P/P (full day tour, incl. transfers) Should our transfers not be required, please deduct R250.00 p/p, off the above rate. INCLUDES: Luxurious return transfers from Cape Town (Air-conditioned, Mercedes Sprinter Bus); Tasty aircraft style breakfast served on-board our bus;* Hot tea and coffee upon our arrival in Gansbaai; Scrumptious, 3-course hot lunch served on-board our bus, upon our return;* Complimentary beer and wine to accompany your lunch; A fast, yet safe 20 minute boat ride to Dyer Island; Snacks, drinks and sweets on-board the boat; Educational presentation and safety briefing; Diving equipment and wet-suits available at no additional cost; Scuba diving in the cage for experienced divers; Assisted snorkeling in cage for inexperienced divers; Unlimited cage diving; Spectacular surface viewing for non divers; Waterproof rain jackets available on the boat. View the Cape Fur Seals and African Penguins from the boat (subject to good weather conditions); Complimentary Shark Project Workbook, sponsored by Dr. Erich Ritter, (while stocks last). Logbook stamp after the tour; Enjoy land-based whale watching in Hermanus (July – Dec); Drop-off at Cape Town International Airport at no additional cost. En-route tour of the indigenous fynbos in the Overberg area, the export apple orchards of Elgin and the informal settlements in Cape Town. DVD’s, video’s, underwater camera’s, T-shirts, P-caps and various other gifts on sale; Services of a professional underwater cameraman available at an additional cost; * Persons not making use of our transfers, will receive a packed breakfast upon arrival and a hot lunch after the tour. EXCLUDES: Towel, sea-sick tablets. ITINERARY: (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) 05h30 - Door-to-door collection from the Cape Town metropolitan area. Breakfast served on-board. 08h00 - Arrival at our Coffee Shop, where we will enjoy a cup of hot coffee or tea, while the safety Briefing and other formalities takes place 08h30 - The boat launches from Kleinbaai Harbour. 20 min later, anchor in or nearby “Shark Alley” 13h00 - Return to Kleinbaai harbour 13h03 - Shuttle departs departs for Cape Town, with a brief stop at our art learner-ship project (when available). A hot lunch and complimentary drinks are served on-board our shuttle bus. Please note : The above itinerary is merely a guideline and exact collection times will only be confirmed at 16h00 the day prior to your tour. 2 DAY TOUR – R 2800.00 P/P (2 days, 1 night, incl. transfers) Should our transfers not be required, please deduct R250.00 p/p, off the above rate. INCLUDES: 2 days shark diving, 1 night’s comfortable accommodation, return road transfers from Cape Town; breakfast; light lunch snacks and drinks on board; diving gear / equipment and approx. 5 hours at sea. EXCLUDES: Dinner, towel, sea-sick tablets.   ITINERARY: On day 1 you will be collected from your accommodation in Cape Town for the two hour journey to Gansbaai. On-board the bus you will be served a tasty air-craft style breakfast, while enjoying the scenery. Formalities and safety briefing is completed upon our arrival at the harbour before the boat departs. Depending on shark activity and weather conditions, the duration of the tour out at sea is approx. 5 hours. Snacks and drinks are served on-board the boat and a hearty lunch is served upon our return to shore. You are returned to your Guest House to freshen up before dinner. On day 2 you will be collected from your Guest House and transferred to the harbour where the boat will await you. After the tour you will be returned to your own accommodation in Cape Town. Please make sure your luggage is ready and packed at your accommodation, before leaving on your shark tour on day two. (Exact times will be confirmed the day prior to the tour). 3 DAY TOUR – R 4100.00 P/P (3 days, 3 night’s, Self-drive) Should our transfers be required, an additional rate of R400.00 p/p would apply. INCLUDES: 3 days shark diving, 3 night’s comfortable accommodation, breakfast; light lunch snacks and drinks on board; diving gear / equipment and approx. 5 hours at sea. EXCLUDES: Dinner, towel, sea-sick tablets. ITINERARY: Every day will start with breakfast at your Guest House, before meeting us at the harbour for another day of adventure! Formalities and safety briefing is completed before we depart on the shark diving tour. Depending on shark activity and weather conditions, the duration of the tour out at sea is approx. 5 hours. Snacks and drinks are served on-board the boat and a hearty lunch is served upon our return to shore. After lunch, you are welcome to return to your Guest House, to freshen up before dinner. This program will be repeated daily. (Exact times will be confirmed the day prior to your tour) 4 DAY TOUR – R 5500.00 P/P (4 day’s, 4 night’s, Self-drive) Should our transfers be required, an additional rate of R600.00 p/p would apply. INCLUDES: 4 days shark diving, 4 night’s comfortable accommodation, breakfast; light lunch snacks and drinks on board; diving gear / equipment and approx. 5 hours at sea. EXCLUDES: Dinner, towel, sea-sick tablets. ITINERARY: Every day will start with breakfast at your Guest House, before meeting us at the harbour for another day of adventure! Formalities and safety briefing is completed before we depart on the shark diving tour. Depending on shark activity and weather conditions, the duration of the tour out at sea is approx. 5 hours. Snacks and drinks are served on-board the boat and a hearty lunch is served upon our return to shore. After lunch, you are welcome to return to your Guest House, to freshen up before dinner. This program will be repeated daily. (Exact times will be confirmed the day prior to your tour) 5 DAY TOUR – R 6800.00 P/P (5 days, 5 night’s, Self-drive) Should our transfers be required, an additional rate of R700.00 p/p would apply. INCLUDES: 5 days shark diving, 5 night’s comfortable accommodation, breakfast; light lunch snacks and drinks on board; diving gear / equipment and approx. 5 hours at sea. EXCLUDES: Dinner, towel, sea-sick tablets. ITINERARY: Every day will start with breakfast at your Guest House, before meeting us at the harbour for another day of adventure! Formalities and safety briefing is completed before we depart on the shark diving tour. Depending on shark activity and weather conditions, the duration of the tour out at sea is approx. 5 hours. Snacks and drinks are served on-board the boat and a hearty lunch is served upon our return to shore. After lunch, you are welcome to return to your Guest House, to freshen up before dinner. This program will be repeated daily. (Exact times will be confirmed the day prior to your tour) 6 DAY TOUR – R 8200.00 P/P (6 days, 6 night, Self-drive) Should our transfers be required, an additional rate of R800.00 p/p would apply. INCLUDES: 6 days shark diving, 6 night’s comfortable accommodation, breakfast; light lunch snacks and drinks on board; diving gear / equipment and approx. 5 hours at sea. EXCLUDES: Dinner, towel, sea-sick tablets. ITINERARY: Every day will start with breakfast at your Guest House, before meeting us at the harbour for another day of adventure! Formalities and safety briefing is completed before we depart on the shark diving tour. Depending on shark activity and weather conditions, the duration of the tour out at sea is approx. 5 hours. Snacks and drinks are served on-board the boat and a hearty lunch is served upon our return to shore. After lunch, you are welcome to return to your Guest House, to freshen up before dinner. This program will be repeated daily. (Exact times will be confirmed the day prior to your tour) 7 DAY TOUR – R 9600.00 P/P (7 day’s, 7 night’s, Self-drive) Should our transfers be required, an additional rate of R900.00 p/p would apply. INCLUDES: 7 days shark diving, 7 night’s comfortable accommodation, breakfast; light lunch snacks and drinks on board; diving gear / equipment and approx. 5 hours at sea. EXCLUDES: Dinner, towel, sea-sick tablets. ITINERARY: Every day will start with breakfast at your Guest House, before meeting us at the harbour for another day of adventure! Formalities and safety briefing is completed before we depart on the shark diving tour. Depending on shark activity and weather conditions, the duration of the tour out at sea is approx. 5 hours. Snacks and drinks are served on-board the boat and a hearty lunch is served upon our return to shore. After lunch, you are welcome to return to your Guest House, to freshen up before dinner. This program will be repeated daily. (Exact times will be confirmed the day prior to your tour) 8 DAY TOUR – R 10 600.00 P/P (8 day’s, 8 night’s, Self-drive) Should our transfers be required, an additional rate of R1000.00 p/p would apply. INCLUDES: 8 days shark diving, 8 night’s comfortable accommodation, breakfast; light lunch snacks and drinks on board; diving gear / equipment and approx. 5 hours at sea. EXCLUDES: Dinner, towel, sea-sick tablets. ITINERARY: Every day will start with breakfast at your Guest House, before meeting us at the harbour for another day of adventure! Formalities and safety briefing is completed before we depart on the shark diving tour. Depending on shark activity and weather conditions, the duration of the tour out at sea is approx. 5 hours. Snacks and drinks are served on-board the boat and a hearty lunch is served upon our return to shore. After lunch, you are welcome to return to your Guest House, to freshen up before dinner. This program will be repeated daily. (Exact times will be confirmed the day prior to your tour) 9 DAY TOUR – R 11 350.00 P/P (9 day’s, 9 night’s, Self-drive) Should our transfers be required, an additional rate of R1100.00 p/p would apply. INCLUDES: 9 days shark diving, 9 night’s comfortable accommodation, breakfast; light lunch snacks and drinks on board; diving gear / equipment and approx. 5 hours at sea. EXCLUDES: Dinner, towel, sea-sick tablets. ITINERARY: Every day will start with breakfast at your Guest House, before meeting us at the harbour for another day of adventure! Formalities and safety briefing is completed before we depart on the shark diving tour. Depending on shark activity and weather conditions, the duration of the tour out at sea is approx. 5 hours. Snacks and drinks are served on-board the boat and a hearty lunch is served upon our return to shore. After lunch, you are welcome to return to your Guest House, to freshen up before dinner. This program will be repeated daily. (Exact times will be confirmed the day prior to your tour) 10 DAY TOUR – R 12 300.00 P/P (10 day’s, 10 night’s, Self-drive) Should our transfers be required, an additional rate of R1200.00 p/p would apply. INCLUDES: 10 days shark diving, 10 night’s comfortable accommodation, breakfast; light lunch snacks and drinks on board; diving gear / equipment and approx. 5 hours at sea. EXCLUDES: Dinner, towel, sea-sick tablets. ITINERARY: Every day will start with breakfast at your Guest House, before meeting us at the harbour for another day of adventure! Formalities and safety briefing is completed before we depart on the shark diving tour. Depending on shark activity and weather conditions, the duration of the tour out at sea is approx. 5 hours. Snacks and drinks are served on-board the boat and a hearty lunch is served upon our return to shore. After lunch, you are welcome to return to your Guest House, to freshen up before dinner. This program will be repeated daily. (Exact times will be confirmed the day prior to your tour) SELF DRIVE PACKAGES As there are no public transportation available in Gansbaai, self drive packages are recommended , whenever you intend to overnight in Gansbaai. This will also allow you more flexibility and freedom to explore nearby places of interest along this beautiful coastline, at your own leisure (in between the shark tours). You will also be assured of easy transportation between your guest house, various restaurants, grocery stores, the harbour etc. We therefore strongly advise that you hire a car upon arrival at Cape Town International airport, where there is a 24hr car rental service available. Detailed directions will be supplied to you prior to your departure, ensuring that you know exactly how to get to your destination from the airport. PLEASE NOTE : When converting your self–drive package so that it includes our daily transfers, you will automatically forfeit 1 night’s accommodation in Gansbaai. This is due to the fact that we return to Cape Town directly after the last day’s tour, and you will therefore no longer require accommodation on the last night. Please deduct 1 night’s accommodation off the package price. TRANSFER OPTION We appreciate the fact that you are coming to a foreign country and may not be comfortable with a self-drive option. We therefore do offer transfer option on the above packages – please ask us about these rates. TRANSFERS ON PACKAGE TOURS Please note that our shuttle from Cape Town to Gansbaai only runs on days when the weather allows the shark diving tour to go ahead. Should you be booked on a multiple day package tour which includes our return transfers, you will only be transported to your accommodation in Gansbaai if and when the tour is scheduled to go ahead. Should the weather not allow us to go ahead on day 1 of your tour, our shuttle will not run to Gansbaai and your first night’s accommodation in Gansbaai would therefore be cancelled and deducted off your total tour price. This means that you would have to arrange an alternative night/s accommodation in Cape Town, until the weather allows us to go ahead. ACCOMMODATION – STANDARD UPMARKET B+B OVERLOOKING WALKER BAY, WITH BREATH TAKING SEA VIEWS. THIS ACCOMMODATION IS INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE QUOTED PACKAGES. An additional R175.00 p/p, p/night would be applicable for a single supplement. This centrally situated B+B, overlooks an unspoiled traditional fishing harbour and is centrally situated in the heart of Gansbaai. Watch the waves break on the rocks from your own private veranda, with extensive sea views across the bay to Hermanus and Cape Point. Facilities include an A’ la Carte Restaurant, fully licensed bar, Bureau de Change, fax facilities and plenty more. All suites have DSTV, Telephones, workstations with Internet connections, electric blankets, overhead fans, heaters, radio alarm clocks, comfortable lounges in each suite, private view verandahs/patios, tea & coffee making facilities. The B+B also offers a laundry service and all rooms are fully serviced daily. True South African hospitality at it’s absolute best. Standard suites are non sea-facing. ACCOMMODATION – LUXURIOUS THE SAME B+B AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, EXCEPT IT IS SEA-FACING. An additional R375.00 p/p p/night sharing for this option, plus an additional R225.00 p/p p/night for a single supplement. BEST SEASON Our tours run each and every day of the year, as Dyer Island is a good place to see the sharks all year round. The absolute best season is probably in our winter months, when sharks are particularly active in their feeding pattern. The following guide-line is based on tours we have done over the past 8 years and months may overlap slightly. HIGH SEASON APRIL to OCTOBER (90 – 99% success rate) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED* INTERM. SEASON NOV. and DEC. (70 – 90% success rate) LOW SEASON JAN to MARCH (50 – 70% success rate) Water temperatures vary between 16 and 20 degrees celsius during our high season, and between 10 and 16 degrees celsius during our intermediate and low seasons. WHAT TO BRING Towel, warm weather proof clothing, sunscreen and hat, camera and binoculars, sea-sick tablets and dive card. TERMS & CONDITIONS Tour cancellation must take place at least 24 hrs prior to tour departure time. Should the client cancel their tour less than 24 hrs prior to tour departure time from Cape Town, a 100% cancellation fee will be applicable. Should the client not arrive for their tour (“No Show”), a 100% cancellation fee would be applicable. Thorough weather checks are done prior to any trip. Should inclement weather prevent us from proceeding with the trip on any particular day, the clients would be informed and an alternative date would be negotiated or an entire refund would be given. Should the clients and White Shark Ecoventures’ team find themselves in Gansbaai already (based upon a good weather prediction) and sudden strong winds pick up, preventing the boat from being put to sea and to ensure the safety of our passengers, 10% of the price will be retained for meals, stand-by and preparation costs. i.e. an 90% refund would be given (transport costs of R250.00 is separate and payable in full). However, a 10% discount would be offered on the day the trip is actually taken (valid for a 2 year period). Should strong winds pick up whilst out at sea and return to shore is required for the safety of passengers and crew, a refund will not be applicable. Credit card payments (VISA / MASTER / AMEX) are accepted at an additional 5% surcharge fee. We are dealing with wild animals and sightings are therefore not guaranteed. Refunds will therefore not be considered in the event of non-sightings, however, a second tour will be offered at a 50% discounted rate. Due to variable weather conditions and shark activity, diving may not always be possible and is therefore not guaranteed. The boat tour we offer consists of approx. 5 hours at sea. Should it be required, White Shark Ecoventures reserves the right to run two consecutive tours per day, of 5 hours each at sea. Time related itinerary’s and collection times are dependent on tides, weather conditions and the amount of tours we have scheduled on that particular day. Exact collection times are therefore only available after 16h00 the day prior to the tour, and may vary between 5:00 and 10:00 am daily. Should our vessels be out of the water for a certain period (due to maintenance or any other reason), we will continue to run our tours by chartering another vessel (also adequately registered for shark cage diving).