Cidade Turismo
South Africa

Before you go

Your trip to Gansbaai.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Get it on Google Play

Gansbaai – Cabo Ocidental Destination Hermanus and Overberg about 160 km from Cidade do Cabo

How to get there

  • Aeroporto Internacional da Cidade do Cabo (CPT) Cidade do Cabo · 160 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

From Hermanus, the arrival town, it’s about 40 km via the R43, around 40 minutes. From Cape Town it’s about 160 km, roughly 2 hours by car. Many shark-boat operators offer transfers from Cape Town and Hermanus.

How many days

Half a day for the boat trip and a few additional hours for Danger Point and Klipgat cave. It’s commonly visited as a day trip from Hermanus.

When to go

Boats operate year-round when sea conditions allow; winter, from May to September, tends to have more great white shark encounters, while southern right whales appear from July to November. Summer brings calmer seas and long days.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

Yes, or a transfer arranged by the boat operator. There is no public transport between Hermanus and Gansbaai. Drive on the left.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Gansbaai
  1. Morning
    Kleinbaai boat

    Board early in Kleinbaai for the boat trip to Dyer Island to see seals, seabirds and, when present, great white sharks.

  2. Afternoon
    Danger Point

    Have lunch in Gansbaai and visit the Danger Point lighthouse, facing the Birkenhead reef.

  3. Late afternoon
    Klipgat cave

    Walk down the boardwalk in Walker Bay reserve to Klipgat cave in De Kelders, with views over the bay.

  4. Evening
    Fish at the porto

    Dine on fresh fish at a restaurant near Gansbaai harbour.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Where can you do cage diving with great white sharks in South Africa?

The best-known place is Gansbaai, with departures from Kleinbaai harbour to Dyer Island and the Shark Alley channel.

Do great white sharks always appear in Gansbaai?

There is no guarantee. Encounters are more frequent in winter, and operators go out when sea conditions permit.

How long is it from Hermanus to Gansbaai?

About 40 km, roughly 40 minutes by car via the R43.

What to do in Gansbaai besides shark activities?

Visit the Danger Point lighthouse, the Klipgat cave and the Walker Bay reserve, and watch whales from the coast in season.

Back to Gansbaai