White Shark Viewing Adventures
White Shark Viewing Adventures
3.5
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Experience the most awesome marine predator on earth.
Mossel Bay, South Africa
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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White Shark Viewing Adventures
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3.5
12 reviews
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FrancoisedP
Vanderbijlpark, South Africa68 contributions
Surely one of the coolest adventures ever, and not expecting this right off the coast in Mossel Bay!!
For a start let me make one thing clear: I come from South Africa, hence understanding that here you form part of nature and that you are not part of a Stephen Spielberg film - specifically referring to the short novel written on "Dissapointed, 50% refund..."-review. Upon embarking on any wild animal excursion (game drive, shark dive etc.), you are NEVER EVER guaranteed to necessarily spot animals. This is not a movie or an extract from National Geographic, this is REAL LIFE. Hence please also take this into mind prior to just taking reviews to heart of people with a perception of living in a movie.
Our excursion (January 2012) was fantastic, and worth every penny and even more. Upon arriving at our spot just off the coast of Groot Brak, we waited for just over an hour for the first "Whitey" to arrive (remember, this is not Hollywood hence really, this was a short waiting time in which you can just relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings). Food, snacks, refreshments and toilet facilities are provided on the boat as well. Soon after 3 more sharks arrived with a couple of minutes on, another 4, 8 hence in total! Being inside the cage is an absolute must, as some of the tourists on the boat was fearful of doing so. It is extremely safe and extremely exciting seeing the behaviour of these migestic animals. Our DVD we received at the end of our trip is testimony of a fantastic, FANTASTIC time.
The White Shark team was also great with safety as their number one priority and it will be one of those experiences we'll talk about for a long time.
What was great is that, in the very unlikely event you do not have the opportunity to spot sharks on the day (there is a 95% success rate) they do offer you a voucher to come back and give it another go!
Great experience, and will definitely recommend this whilst travelling about the Garden Route area.
For a start let me make one thing clear: I come from South Africa, hence understanding that here you form part of nature and that you are not part of a Stephen Spielberg film - specifically referring to the short novel written on "Dissapointed, 50% refund..."-review. Upon embarking on any wild animal excursion (game drive, shark dive etc.), you are NEVER EVER guaranteed to necessarily spot animals. This is not a movie or an extract from National Geographic, this is REAL LIFE. Hence please also take this into mind prior to just taking reviews to heart of people with a perception of living in a movie.
Our excursion (January 2012) was fantastic, and worth every penny and even more. Upon arriving at our spot just off the coast of Groot Brak, we waited for just over an hour for the first "Whitey" to arrive (remember, this is not Hollywood hence really, this was a short waiting time in which you can just relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings). Food, snacks, refreshments and toilet facilities are provided on the boat as well. Soon after 3 more sharks arrived with a couple of minutes on, another 4, 8 hence in total! Being inside the cage is an absolute must, as some of the tourists on the boat was fearful of doing so. It is extremely safe and extremely exciting seeing the behaviour of these migestic animals. Our DVD we received at the end of our trip is testimony of a fantastic, FANTASTIC time.
The White Shark team was also great with safety as their number one priority and it will be one of those experiences we'll talk about for a long time.
What was great is that, in the very unlikely event you do not have the opportunity to spot sharks on the day (there is a 95% success rate) they do offer you a voucher to come back and give it another go!
Great experience, and will definitely recommend this whilst travelling about the Garden Route area.
Written 23 January 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnnaLiisaNobleton
Nobleton33 contributions
Dec 2011 • Couples
White Shark Viewing Adventures was an attraction not to be missed. the people operating the boat were all very professional and we felt safe. I didn't go shark diving, but I was able to take some spectacular photos of the sharks coming the the boat. We also were able to see the wildlife at Seal Island. There are some really nice hotels and restaurants in Mossel Bay. The Shark Viewing Adventure is within walking distance of most of the local outlets.
Written 20 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eytan I
Shaked, null, Israel35 contributions
Sept 2012 • Family
I liked the travel but all the system of changing cloth and luck of dissent toilets was not a nice thing.
Written 5 October 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
svenno76
10 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
We experienced a no show from their side, lies and they charged the money anyway. Long version is that we had booked the trip through our hotel and had an appointment made for 5 o'clock in the morning. On short notice it was changed to 7 am, but nobody showed up. When we called they said that they were there at 5 am, but the surveillance cameras did not show anybody. As annoying as this is, worst thing is that they charged us, stating that they have a no refund policy. This is ridiculous! NEVER AGAIN WITH THIS COMPANY!
Written 3 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gethin_01
London, UK4 contributions
Oct 2011 • Couples
We have just come back from a fantastic trip to South Africa.
What was supposed to be the highlight of our travels through the Cape and Garden Route was the supposed thrilling encounter with the great white shark. Having grown up locally in the area, I decided that Mossel Bay would be the best place to give my wife a real "African experience"...
We forked out £140 each for the experience. The set up and service at the office prior to our boarding the boat was professional and the breakfast was enjoyable. We were told that the previous day that they had seen a shark and day before that seven etc etc etc going back many days, with a shark encounter noted each time.
We signed on the dotted line. Signed up to getting a partial refund or a chance at another encounter within the next year (although quite difficult if you're international tourist, like the three other pleasant Dutch visitors who happened to also lose out with us on this fateful day).
WORD OF ADVICE No 1:
it is at this point that I would recommend any prospective cage diver to request to see the dvd of the previous day's trip to get a realistic view of what you should expect to see (such as size of sharks and whether they actually hang around the boat long enough for you to get into the cage, afterall that is what you expect, isnt it?)
Anyway, to try cut an uneventful day even shorter. The team taking us out on the boat were all pleasant enough and the equipment looked good although there was never an opportunity to actually put any of it to use.
The "guide" started filming as we headed off to the harbour. On departure from the harbour, the boat made straight for the "infamous" Seal Island "great hunting ground for sharks" . Nothing. It was then that we were told that in Spring time it was much more difficult to track the sharks. Apparently during winter Seal Island is a dead certainty because they feed there, thereafter, it is a bit of a gamble anywhere along the coast.
WORD OF ADVICE:
make sure you pick the correct season to view sharks, I can only guess it is winter as this is what we were told once on the boat.
Of what we actually saw I WILL LET THE ATTACHED PICTURES SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. There was no opportunity to even get close to getting into the cage because the little blighters didnt hang around for more than a few minutes each.
At the end of the day we were all disappointed (at least my wife and I didnt chum the waters with our vomit as the poor Dutch lady did) . But we did all understand that we were dealing with WILD ANIMALS and couldnt blame them or the tour operator.
However, I consider myself a very fair person. If it was me that was running the operation I would have felt GUILTY taking so much money from good people for seeing such a little. Even if they had given all of us a 50% DISCOUNT they would have made good profit out of the day- enough to pay the 5 hands on deck and a bit of petrol.
What did we get at the end of it all....
a certificate-pointless, we didnt do anything that it claimed
What didn't we get....
a dvd of the day, the chap gave up filming that after a few hours of , well, not much.
What was supposed to be the highlight of our travels through the Cape and Garden Route was the supposed thrilling encounter with the great white shark. Having grown up locally in the area, I decided that Mossel Bay would be the best place to give my wife a real "African experience"...
We forked out £140 each for the experience. The set up and service at the office prior to our boarding the boat was professional and the breakfast was enjoyable. We were told that the previous day that they had seen a shark and day before that seven etc etc etc going back many days, with a shark encounter noted each time.
We signed on the dotted line. Signed up to getting a partial refund or a chance at another encounter within the next year (although quite difficult if you're international tourist, like the three other pleasant Dutch visitors who happened to also lose out with us on this fateful day).
WORD OF ADVICE No 1:
it is at this point that I would recommend any prospective cage diver to request to see the dvd of the previous day's trip to get a realistic view of what you should expect to see (such as size of sharks and whether they actually hang around the boat long enough for you to get into the cage, afterall that is what you expect, isnt it?)
Anyway, to try cut an uneventful day even shorter. The team taking us out on the boat were all pleasant enough and the equipment looked good although there was never an opportunity to actually put any of it to use.
The "guide" started filming as we headed off to the harbour. On departure from the harbour, the boat made straight for the "infamous" Seal Island "great hunting ground for sharks" . Nothing. It was then that we were told that in Spring time it was much more difficult to track the sharks. Apparently during winter Seal Island is a dead certainty because they feed there, thereafter, it is a bit of a gamble anywhere along the coast.
WORD OF ADVICE:
make sure you pick the correct season to view sharks, I can only guess it is winter as this is what we were told once on the boat.
Of what we actually saw I WILL LET THE ATTACHED PICTURES SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. There was no opportunity to even get close to getting into the cage because the little blighters didnt hang around for more than a few minutes each.
At the end of the day we were all disappointed (at least my wife and I didnt chum the waters with our vomit as the poor Dutch lady did) . But we did all understand that we were dealing with WILD ANIMALS and couldnt blame them or the tour operator.
However, I consider myself a very fair person. If it was me that was running the operation I would have felt GUILTY taking so much money from good people for seeing such a little. Even if they had given all of us a 50% DISCOUNT they would have made good profit out of the day- enough to pay the 5 hands on deck and a bit of petrol.
What did we get at the end of it all....
a certificate-pointless, we didnt do anything that it claimed
What didn't we get....
a dvd of the day, the chap gave up filming that after a few hours of , well, not much.
Written 5 November 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike B
Belfast, UK10 contributions
Mar 2012 • Friends
Went at the end of March 2012. After we paid I was told there had been no sharks for the previous three days. Voucher to go again within a year is useless to international travellers. Most expensive boat trip I've ever been on (very poor breakfast- tea & toast and lunch-cold cheese pasta). The captain was a nice enough fella and was frustrated at the no shark appearance.
I would take the other reviewer's advise and ask to see the previous day's DVD footage.
I would take the other reviewer's advise and ask to see the previous day's DVD footage.
Written 22 April 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
arnold s
Windsor, Canada758 contributions
Jan 2014 • Friends
The most intense thing i have ever done in my life. Me and 3 friends went diving with great white sharks and had the most thrilling day of my life. Some were as long as 16 feet. Sharks will impact the cage while you are diving. Amazing time. january 2013
Written 8 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
telecom10
Jaragua Do Sul, SC49 contributions
Feb 2012
The service at the office prior to our boarding the boat was professional and the breakfast was good. We were told that the previous day that they had seen 5 sharks and the past 5 months every day they saw sharks.
The guide was filming our walk to the boat and we were advised that we'll not pass at Seal Island, because that part of the year they are not there. So we take a 30 min ride from the harbour, when we stoped, we stayed more than 40 minute waiting to see the sharks.
The water had more than 7 meters of visibility, and after the first shark arrived, other 6 arrieved too. Because didn't have so many people that want to enter in the cage, we could make two dives. It was amazing. One of the sharks had more than 5.5 meters. If you visit South Africa, you have to go. Much better than make safaris.
The guide was filming our walk to the boat and we were advised that we'll not pass at Seal Island, because that part of the year they are not there. So we take a 30 min ride from the harbour, when we stoped, we stayed more than 40 minute waiting to see the sharks.
The water had more than 7 meters of visibility, and after the first shark arrived, other 6 arrieved too. Because didn't have so many people that want to enter in the cage, we could make two dives. It was amazing. One of the sharks had more than 5.5 meters. If you visit South Africa, you have to go. Much better than make safaris.
Written 2 March 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thyskas
Cape Town, South Africa34 contributions
Jun 2016
Nice size female came to visit. Great viewing from the deck as well. Diving is close to the harbor, which makes for a short but enjoyable trip to site. Clearer water in winter so great vis.
Written 24 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arvind S
Kolkata (Calcutta), India43 contributions
Oct 2012 • Family
We went to October so it was cold but was simply an amazing experience. Carry a change of clothes as u can get wet. Also please carry asprin as u could get sea sick
Written 14 December 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dolfyntjie
Krugersdorp, South Africa
The cost per person. We are 4 persons over 60 years.
Written 30 January 2016
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