“AIRJAWS” Shark Breaching Trip – Simon’s Town
What is AIRJAWS Shark Breaching?
Shark Breaching is one of the hunting techniques that great white sharks use to surprise and kill their prey. They breach with such force and explosive energy that it propels the shark right out of the water.
The best time is just before and at sunrise and mainly at certain area’s around the island and only for a few months of the year.
This behaviour is absolutely awesome to witness in person, and if you are in Cape Town during shark season, then this trip is a “must do”. It is seen nowhere on the planet as regularly as in False Bay and by joining us on one of our AIRJAWS trips you may be lucky enough to witness a breaching great white shark “AIRJAWS” for yourself.
Not every breach leads to a successful kill. If the great white shark misses the seal, then the chase is on. It is a game of cat and mouse of epic proportions as you are rooting for the seal, yet wanting to see a predation.
QUICK INFO
MEET TIME:
06h30 Sharp on the Simons Town Pier.
TRANSFER:
From designated pick-up points in and around Cape Town – special transfers can also be arranged.
DURATION:
5 Hours at sea.
GUESTS:
Small groups – maximum 18 plus crew
CAGE:
5 to 6 divers – No experience necessary – 20 minutes’ cage time
TRIP INCLUDES:
Snacks, muffins and sandwiches, enthusiastic and experienced crew, all dive gear and tea / coffee from Saveur Restaurant & 25% off lunch
“AIRJAWS” Shark Breaching Trip
The “AIRJAWS” shark breaching trip is the most popular. It is a combination trip of shark breaching and shark cage diving.
Airjaws Season starts on 1st May with peak season from June to August. Please note that seats are limited.
It’s approx 5.5hrs long trip and ventures out to Seal Island in False Bay, South Africa.
We depart early in the morning as this is when the great white’s natural predatory interaction with the Cape Fur seal is the most intense. The activity lasts for around an hour and a half. When the predation activity has quieted down we try for a decoy tow using a fake soft cushion cut out “dummy” seal, in which we attempt to get the great white shark to breach. This soft decoy will not harm the shark in any way and making sure that we only do this for a limited period only, it allows for the best photographic opportunity.
We are respectful that we are entering the territory of the great white and even though we try to get as close to a predatory event as possible, every effort is made to avoid blocking a seal’s escape path to the Island. This is a natural event we are witnessing and so we make sure our environmental impact is as little as possible.
When should I book?
What’s best time of the year for shark breaching?
Shark Breaching starts to be seen around mid-April and the best months for the predation and breaching activity is during June, July and August. September is in between high and intermediate season. February and March is too early for breaching. Here our trips focus on the shark cage diving and surface viewing. The trip departs from Simon’s town at 7am sharp and returns at 11h30.
- Rain/wind jacket
- Sun block and Hat
- Beanie and scarf
- Your swimming costume
- Camera (we sell disposable underwater camera’s)
- Take sea sick tablets
- Do not over indulge in alcohol the night before as you will be horribly sea sick.
Please Note: We have a very high success rate, but we are working with wild animals. Please be aware of this, so you do not arrive with unrealistic expectations. Shark sightings and activity are never guaranteed and even during peak season there may be days when the sightings are lower than expected. No refunds will be made for non-sightings.