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Maptlantis

Shark · South Africa

Where to see sharks in South Africa

Operators 8Season Year-roundRegions 5Published prices 5Encounter formats 5
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About this list

A common trap when looking for places to see sharks in South Africa is a trip sold as if the sighting were certain. Maptlantis lists only operators that name the shark as a target species, 8 of them. Places that only mention a chance sighting are left out. Regions on record: Overstrand Local Municipality, Shelly Beach & Protea Banks, Simon's Town & Cape Town, Umkomaas & Aliwal Shoal and Western Cape Garden Route. Encounters are split into boat-based watching, cage observation, scuba diving, snorkeling and freediving. Two "shark tours" can differ completely in rules and price when one watches from the boat and the other puts you in the water. 5 of the 8 operators (63%) publish prices on their own channels, so you can compare those directly; ask the rest. Estimated prices are not shown. The 2 operators that state a season for shark programs in South Africa cluster in year-round. That is the operators' operating period, not a promise that the animals will appear. No operator can guarantee a wildlife sighting, and rules on approach distance and in-water permits differ by country.

Shark season in South Africa

Year-round

  1. JanJanuary: in season
  2. FebFebruary: in season
  3. MarMarch: in season
  4. AprApril: in season
  5. MayMay: in season
  6. JunJune: in season
  7. JulJuly: in season
  8. AugAugust: in season
  9. SepSeptember: in season
  10. OctOctober: in season
  11. NovNovember: in season
  12. DecDecember: in season

The months 2 operators state as their program season, combined. That is the operators' operating period, not a sighting guarantee; each operator's months are in the shark season table.

8 listed operators

Sharks in South Africa, by region

Shark season

Sharks in other countries

Other marine life in South Africa

Activities in South Africa

Frequently asked questions

Where can you see sharks in South Africa?

8 operators name the shark as a target species. Main regions: Overstrand Local Municipality, Shelly Beach & Protea Banks, Simon's Town & Cape Town, Umkomaas & Aliwal Shoal and Western Cape Garden Route.

Do you have to get in the water to see sharks?

Formats on record: boat-based watching, cage observation, scuba diving, snorkeling and freediving. Boat-based watching stays on the boat; snorkeling, swimming and freediving put you in the water. Some countries ban getting in the water altogether, so check the format in the program details.

When is shark season?

The 2 operators that state a season for shark programs in South Africa cluster in year-round. That is the operators' operating period, not a promise that the animals will appear.

Will I definitely see them?

No. Sharks are wild animals, and whether you meet them depends on their movements and the sea. Maptlantis does not use wording that promises a sighting, and cancellation and refund terms follow each operator's policy.