Apex Shark Expeditions, False Bay

Apex Shark Expeditions launches from Simon's Town on False Bay, one of three open-water operators based here rather than in Gansbaai. The trip runs about 4 hours and holds a 4.7 rating across 129 reviews.

Overview

Twelve guests per boat and four divers in the cage at a time: that ratio is the whole pitch of this trip, and it makes for one of South Africa's more intimate shark cage experiences. You meet at the Boardwalk Centre on Wharf Street in Simon's Town, at the corner of Wharf and Main Road, and the boat heads out into False Bay or toward Cape Point depending on conditions. The whole experience runs about four hours and finishes back where it started.

The sharks you may encounter are bronze whalers, seven-gills, and blue and mako sharks. Trips are weather dependent but not tied to any single species, so the crew works with whatever the bay offers on the day. Scuba gear is available on request, though the operator notes that breath-hold diving has worked best in practice. A professional guide is included, and the boat carries light refreshments, snacks, towels, and all the diving equipment.

Reviewers describe the crew as knowledgeable and welcoming, and one traveller said the team made sure everyone felt safe on the trip out. Another reviewer also reported a stop to see the seals along the way. The listing states that most travellers can participate, so the experience is open to a broad range of visitors.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet in Simon's TownGather at the Boardwalk Centre on Wharf Street, at the corner of Wharf and Main Road in Simon's Town. Call the operator the day before to confirm the exact meeting time, which depends on weather and sea conditions.
2. Pre-dive briefingOne reviewer mentioned the support the team provides from the pre-briefing onward.
3. Boat trip on False BayHead out into False Bay or toward Cape Point, depending on conditions. The whole experience lasts about four hours, and one reviewer mentioned a stop to see the seals along the way.
4. Shark cage diveTake turns in the cage, four divers at a time, with bronze whaler, seven-gill, blue and mako sharks among the possible sightings. Scuba is available on request, though breath-hold diving is the operator's recommended method.
5. Return to Simon's TownThe trip ends back at the original meeting point on Wharf Street.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of this trip.

• Getting there. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own transport to the Boardwalk Centre on Wharf Street in Simon's Town. Contact the operator the day before to confirm the exact meeting time, since it shifts with weather and sea conditions.
• What to bring. Towels and diving equipment are provided, along with light refreshments and snacks onboard. Gratuities are not included in the price.
• Fitness and pace. The listing states most travellers can participate. Scuba is available on request, though the operator notes that breath-hold diving has proven to be the best method.
• Group feel. The boat takes a maximum of 12 guests, with four divers per cage. Reviewers describe the crew as helpful and welcoming, and one said the captain and crew made sure everyone felt safe.
• Weather and season. All trips are confirmed weather dependent, so the operator may reschedule or cancel if conditions are poor. Which shark species appear also depends on the day, since trips are not tied to a single species.
• Photos and seals. One reviewer reported plenty of shark sightings plus a visit to the seals. Sightings vary by day, so keep expectations flexible.

Common issues. The main practical limit is weather: trips are confirmed only when conditions allow, and a minimum number of travellers is required for the trip to run. If either forces a cancellation, the operator offers a different date or a full refund. The experience is not wheelchair accessible, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need your own transport to Simon's Town. Gratuities are also excluded from the price.

Choosing Your Dive