Best time of the year to cage dive in Cape Town

Simply put, shark cage diving is good all year round, especially along South Africa’s coastline. This is because of the changing climate conditions and the species that enjoy each changing season, meaning no matter the time of year you  visit, shark cage diving in Cape Town must be on the list of things-to-do.

The southern coast has over 98 different shark species because of the seasonal changes and rich biodiversity in the waters, making it a fantastic diving region regardless of the time of year. The subtropical climate makes it an all-year-round activity, although because of its quick weather changes during the warmer months, it is recommended to book with some flexibility in your travel schedule.

Aside from the best time to see what kind of sharks, which is all year, May to October is considered the peak season to not only see the highest variety of species that Cape Town has to offer but also with the clarity in the water. This is because during the winter months, the drastic climate changes are less and the amount of marine life is higher due to many different species’ migratory patterns combined with each species breeding patterns which flourish in the Western Cape’s ecosystem.

South Africa is located  in the southern hemisphere, making June to August the coldest months of the year and December to February the hotter months due to its subtropical nature. From August to June, the bronze Whaler sharks are seen while shark cage diving. They enjoy the warmer coastal waters around and near Seal Island in Cape Town where the water temperatures are around 13 degrees Celsius  These are a great species to cage dive with due to their pack mentality and size (3.5 m approximately), it is no wonder these trips receive rave reviews from guests who have been lucky enough to cage dive with them.

During Autumn, the Broad nose Seven gill cow sharks are often sighted around the shark cage diving boats, together with the bronze whaler sharks. Yep! It is possible to sometimes cage dive with two species of shark.  These apex predators are scavengers and are most loveable with their baby pink bellies and large smile-like jaw.

Another outcome of the colder climate is that the powerful Mako sharks, much like the great whites, enjoy the lower temperatures that come with the seasons. These sharks can be seen throughout the year as they have a high migratory nature due to their appetite. The western coast weather also calms down around this time, making it a popular time to view and dive with sharks, especially in areas where the tropical weather storms make it unpredictable, like Cape Point which is an excellent shark cage diving location, for not only Mako but blue sharks as well.

The water clarity and the fact that during the winter months, the diversity of animals which frequent the southern hemisphere waters increases. However, aside from this, shark cage diving is best all year round as you get to experience many of the top apex predators of the ocean throughout the year.

Also read: Bucket List Experiences in Cape Town