• WHERE IS DYER ISLAND?
• Dyer island is near a small fishing village called Gansbaai (translated Goose Bay) and is situated 170km from Cape Town on the way to the most Southern tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas. Gansbaai is one of the fastest developing villages along our entire coastline.
• WHEN IS THE LOW SEASON FOR SHARK VIEWING?
• The low season starts at approximately beginning of October and lasts until approximately the middle of January. During this time the probability of not seeing sharks on certain days is much higher than in the high season and the most probable cause for this is the abundance of gamefish around the island during this time. During this period we have difficulty attracting sharks to our boats while fish are being taken off the lines of fishermen while sharks circle their boats.
• WHEN IS THE HIGH SEASON?
• The high season starts approximately mid January and lasts until the end of September. During this time it is possible to see a number of individual sharks approach the boat and an almost 100% sighting is possible. The White shark becomes more active as the winter approaches and high White shark activity is experienced after a storm has passed. The only problem we have during this period is the unpredictable weather and this plays a major role from July to October. During this time it is advisable to plan your stay so you have about 14 days available in case of extremely bad weather. When a storm has passed it will be found that it was well worth the wait since the White shark activity will not disappoint you.
• WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FOR WEATHER AND SHARKS?
• The best months for good weather will be April to June and the shark activity will also be good.
• HOW FAR IN ADVANCE DO WE HAVE TO BOOK?
• You may book as soon as you decide when to come to South Africa, even though you are not sure of your exact date or time of arrival. Make sure that you have a place booked on the boat and let us have your final dates as soon as it is available. We have to be flexible as far as the weather is concerned and will move your booking date to suit the weather. Keep us informed of your address or contact numbers for final arrangements after arrival.
• WHAT KIND OF BOAT DO YOU HAVE?
• We have a 8 meter motorized catamaran, known as a ButtCat, registered to take 10 divers plus crew. The boat has been specially designed for cage diving or viewing and has a high rail for safety. It has a cruising speed of 26 knots and covers the distance to the island in 20 minutes. The boat is registered as a special shark cage diving boat by the Depertment of Transport.
• WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE CREW?
• We have two commercial skippers registered with Department of Transport, with radio communications licences, three first aid officers, SATOUR registered specialist tourist guide in Marine Ecology and a Divemaster and Diving Instructor as crew.
• We consider your safety so you will be safe in our hands
• IS THE CAGE SAFE?
• The approved cage is made of a frame of 12mm reinforced steel covered by 50mm x 3.15mm welded security mesh and is strong enough to withstand the impact of even a large shark. It is inspected by Department of Labour every year before a new licence is issued.
• DO I NEED QUALIFICATIONS TO DIVE?
• Yes, a minimum qualification of openwater and proof of qualification is required. All divers will dive at the discretion of the Divemaster since he takes responsibility. If you are not qualified and you would like to dive you can still enjoy the dive with the assistance of our Diving Instructor.
• IF I DO NOT WANT TO DIVE, WILL I ENJOY THE TRIP?
• Yes, watching from the boat is even more spectacular and exciting than being in the cage.
• WHAT QUALIFICATIONS SHOULD THE OPERATOR HAVE?
• The operator is a SATOUR registered tourist guide in Marine Ecology, a divemaster, and a first aider, and has two commercial skippers on board with radio communications licence. Our operation has qualified personel on board at all times and you are entitled to check the qualifications prior to boarding the boat. If you find that we do lack in a single qualification you are entitled to a free trip or your money back.
• ARE YOU PREPARED IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT?
• Yes, the operator is a qualified first aider trained in CPR and we have an emergency rescue plan with mobile phone contact to shore. In the unlikely event of an accident the plan can be put into operation by anyone on the boat and be guided by step by step instructions.
• You are covered by passenger liability insurance while on the boat to a maximum value of R1000 000.00
• DO I HAVE TO BRING MY OWN DIVING EQUIPMENT?
• No, we supply everything that is required including wet-suites.
• FOR HOW LONG ARE WE OUT AT SEA?
• The trip lasts for  5 hours or more and the travelling time to the island is about 20 minutes.
• DO YOU HAVE ACCOMMODATION?
• Yes we have accommodation in our guest house as well as budget backpacker accommodation.
• DO THE SHARKS EVER ATTACK THE CAGE?
• No, it is not in the nature of the shark to attack the cage as much as it is not in the nature of a lion to attack a motorcar.
• WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING ON THE BOAT?
• Bring a warm windbreaker, polarized sunglasses, sunblock , towel and a hat or cap. Seasick pills may be considered since some people do get seasick.
• WHAT SIZE ARE THE SHARKS?
• The sharks are between 3m and 6m in length and the average size being about 3.5 meters
• CAN WE RENT CAMERA AND VIDEO EQUIPMENT?
• Yes, renting is possible and we do stock disposable underwater cameras which are for sale as well as a digital video camera which can be hired for underwater video.
• DO YOU SUPPORT RESEARCH?
• Yes, we are members of WHISPRA (White Shark Preservation and Research Association) and support various research programmes.
• HOW MANY SHARKS ARE THERE AT THE ISLAND? .
• During the time we have been operating at Dyer Island we have observed that in general sharks come to the area only for a few days then leave only to return a month or two later. So the shark is only a visitor to the island, possibly only to take a seal which forms a small percentage of it's natural diet. For most of it's life it will feed on fish, squid, turtles and other marine life.
• IS CAGE DIVING ALWAYS POSSIBLE?
• Cage diving is not always possible and it is difficult to know untill we arrive at the island. The factors determining a dive are the strength of the current and visibility. These two factors can change from day to day . On average visibility is around 5 to 6 m with the occational down to 2 m, and on days up to about 12 m. Only divers with openwater or higher and who can present proof of qualifications will be allowed to dive.
• WILL I SEE THE SHARK FROM THE BOAT?
• When sharks approach the boat visitors will be able to see them even if they are still some distance away and then will follow the bait up to the boat, and sometimes lie right next to the boat chewing on the bait. The spectator can then take some incredible shots or good video footage. Sharks sometimes circle the boat for a long time and since they are near the surface they are clearly visible.
• DO I GET A REFUND IF I SEE NO SHARKS?
• No there is no guarantee and no refund, since we are dealing with nature and wild animals, but we are not unreasonable and we offer a free trip if no sharks were sighted from the boat. This would only happen for an average of about 4% of the time over an average
• WHAT ELSE CAN WE SEE AT DYER ISLAND?
• Dyer island has a large marine bird population including Jackass Penguins, Bank Cormorants, Kelp gulls, rare African Black Oyster catchers and various other marine birds. Geyser island has about 20,000 seals and this is the main attraction for the Great White shark. The fish in the channel are of the following species: White Steenbras, Red Stumpnose, Hottentot, Blue Hottentot, Caranteens and Mullet. Other shark species are only the reef sharks like the pajama shark that stay on the bottom.
• WHAT IS THE COST OF A TRIP?
• The price of the package to Dyer island is US$140.00
• WHAT DO I GET FOR THE US$140.00?
• Early morning breakfast (1hour before sunrise) thereafter we leave for the harbour where we will board the 'Master of Happiness' for the trip to Dyer island. After an educational tour along the shores of the islands the boat will anchor in a suitable position to attract the shark. Bait will be attached to bait lines and chum will be run into the ocean. The chum is a mixture of minced sardines and sea water which will be taken by the current to the open ocean from where the shark will be attracted. Once we have had a few sharks around the boat the cage will be lowered and divers can then enter the water to have a closer encounter (if the shark will allow, remember they are wild animals and are sometimes scared of the bubbles) Refreshments are served on the boat and at 13h00 the boat will leave the channel to return to the harbour. At 14h00 a Lunch will be served in a local restaurant after which a video of the day will follow. A T-shirt and a certificate will be presented. During the whale season (June to December) whales can be seen from the deck of the guesthouse.
• ARE THESE TRIPS EDUCATIONAL?
• We are seriously involved with conservation in general. The tourist guide or students doing research on our boat will be most happy to answer all your questions.
• WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY A GOVERNMENT LEVY?
• In order to give you the best possible chance to encounter a White shark we are prepared to pay the government levy to ensure that you will have only the best opportunity to see the White shark.

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