After arriving in Cape Town, we got up early for the day we had been anticipating most. I had booked Shark Cage Diving in Gansbaai with Shark Zone about a week prior. The transport service picked us up from our hotel, and we made a few stops around Cape Town to collect other passengers. We drove east, winding our way up the scenic Houwhoek Pass, which offered stunning views of the Hottentots Holland Mountains, before arriving at the meeting point in Van Dyks Bay.
Upon arrival at the White Shark Ventures base, we were served a light breakfast during a comprehensive safety briefing. All diving equipment was supplied, including thick wetsuits to combat the cold Atlantic waters. After eating, we took a short walk to Kleinbaai Harbour. The harbor is a small but busy gateway to “Shark Alley,” and as our boat left the sheltered jetty, the water turned choppy as we headed into the open ocean.
Once anchored, the crew began to chum the water with fish products to attract the Great White Sharks. When the first shark was sighted—a massive, dark shadow gliding just below the surface—we kitted up. Groups of five entered the cage at a time. Interestingly, the crew mentioned that visibility can be limited underwater, making the view from the boat’s upper deck just as impressive, if not better, for seeing the full scale of the sharks.
We chose different batches so one of us could photograph the action from the boat. The water was freezing, and the initial thermal shock was intense. The cage, about 10 feet tall with a mesh base, felt sturdy but remarkably thin once a shark approached. We were warned repeatedly to only hold the inner red hand-railing; holding the outer grill is a recipe for broken knuckles if a shark decides to bump the cage. When the lookout shouted “Dive! Dive! Dive!”, we submerged to find ourselves face-to-face with the most legendary predator of the sea. It was fantastic to be up close and personal with these magnificent creatures.
There were some drinks and snacks on board for those who were interested and/or had motion sickness. After everyone had been in the cage once the crew asked if we wanted another round. Not wanting to pass up another chance, this time we went into the cage together. Towards the end of our second round in the water, one of the sharks actually bumped into the cage and went under the boat to the other side. This not only shook the cage but rattled the boat as well. That impact gave us a taste of the power of these beasts in the water.
Back at the harbour, we had a light lunch while watching the videographer’s footage. The ride back to Cape Town was quieter, but the mood lifted as Table Mountain came into view. The flat-topped landmark looked magnificent against the clear afternoon sky, signaling our next stop.
We took a taxi to the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway base station. We didn’t have to wait long before boarding the cable car.
The floors of these cars rotate 360 degrees during the journey, ensuring every passenger gets a panoramic view of the city and the cliffs as you rise. It took us about five minutes to reach the top of the mountain.
The top of the mountain is a massive plateau with multiple stone-paved pathways leading to various lookouts.
At the summit, the temperature dropped significantly, and we were grateful for our fleece jackets.
To the west, we looked down upon the turquoise waters of Camps Bay Beach and the luxury homes lining the coast.
Further north, the peak of Lion’s Head and Signal Hill (also known as Lion’s Tail) were clearly visible, resembling a lion crouching to protect the city.
From another vantage point, we spotted the Cape Town Stadium, a modern architectural marvel built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, sitting right on the edge of the Atlantic.
Beyond the stadium, the vast expanse of Table Bay and the downtown skyline stretched out toward the horizon.
Amidst the grand views, we also found smaller residents: Dassies (Rock Hyraxes). These furry creatures, which are oddly enough the closest living relatives to elephants, were foraging peacefully along the rocky cliffs.
As evening approached, clouds began to spill over the edge of the mountain like a “tablecloth” waterfall. It was a surreal experience walking through the mist.
As the light faded and the cold set in, we took the cable car back down and returned to the city.
We took a taxi back to our hotel. Having been out and about all day we were quite tired and decide to go back to The Diplomatic Bar and Restaurant for dinner because it was literally around the corner from our hotel. Our plan tomorrow was to visit the Cape Peninsula.
🦈 Shark Zone
🚠 Table Mountain
🍽️ The Diplomatic Bar and Restaurant
🛏️ HomeBase Cape Town Backpackers