Itinerary

This programme does not have a set itinerary. Please request trip notes for more information on the day to day aspects of the project. Preferred start dates are the 1st and 15th of the Month with arrival and pick up in Cape Town.

Every day is better than the previous one!
You get to learn a lot about sharks by having some lectures and by being free to ask any questions to the crew.
The days are never tiring or boring as you get to work in shifts on the boat. On days of there are plenty of activities to do. You can go for example to Cape Aghulus, where the Atlantic and Indian Ocean meet. Can you imagine being on the most southern tip of Africa? Of a whole continent?! The view is quite spectacular!
What do you do on the boat?
On the boat you  help tourists  to get ready to go in the cage: like giving wet suits, giving them a mask and weights, making sure everything is ok.
You get the chance to go in the cage as well! You will be chumming (chopping up fish to feed the Great whites so they come closer)… You get to have a shower at the end of the day so it is not important how much you smell or are dirty! Everyone enjoys chumming because it’s the place where you can see the sharks well, since they are attracted by the smell.

The accommodation is really nice! They are very cozy with a lounge area and a big kitchen! The fact that there is a kitchen is nice because we can decide whether to cook or go out for dinner.

Hands on conservation for the Great White Shark

This is your chance to become actively involved in the conservation of the Great White shark on your gap year. The Great White shark is arguably one of the worlds greatest predators, and at the same time under threat from ill educated and unethical activities conducted by mankind. Sport fisheries, which seek their jaws as trophies, and being accidentally caught in commercial fisheries, and the deliberate killing of sharks buy Asian Fishermen which prize their fins for a bland tasting soup sees over 200 million sharks killed per year (across all shark species).

Help stop the decline of the Oceans top predator

The Great White shark conservation is more important now than ever, with severe declines being documented in Northwest Atlantic, Australia, and Northeast South Africa.This fantastic opportunity gives you the chance to actually physically contribute to Great White shark conservation in South Africa, one of the worlds leading hot spots for Great White shark activity.

During the programme

On this conservation programme you will join a world leading organization dedicated on protecting the Great White shark, operating in Great White shark conservation since 1989. You'll receive training in Great White shark biology, behavior, conservation, research, changing attitudes, shark attacks, basic seamanship (includes anchoring positions, wind directions), underwater filming, still photography and shark tourism. Weather permitting you will go to sea frequently. At sea, you'll get involved as much as possible with all aspects of sea work. This will be focused on working with the sharks from above and below the water. Much emphasis will be placed on observing behavior and the interactions of sharks around the boat.
You will be taught how to get in and out of the cage and how to remain secure and safe in the cage.

Get in the Cage

In the cages you will record observations of the Great White sharks. This will include sex, size, markings and behavior. This training is designed to educate you to a level of competence of a field assistant. During the training, you will be evaluated on how you handle teamwork, take your own initiatives, take interest in the work and activities, show interest in learning.

Locating the Sharks

Finding the Great White shark is a skill, involving years of practice - the water temperature, depth, visibility, swell height, current and wind direction are all major factors.

See them breaching

Great White sharks are surface feeders, you will be amazed when seeing the Great White lifting its head right out of the water to take the bait, and sometimes breach completely. In Shark Alley, close to Gansbaai, you will likely also see seals, penguins and the occasional dolphins frolicking near the islands, as well as magnificent southern right whales coming up from Antarctica to breed from May to November. These expeditions are more than just thrill-seeking adventures, they are educational experiences.  

Find out more about this project on our blog