We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox. Mac: Safari.
All 12 Gansbaai Attractions »

Shark Diving Unlimited

1 Swart Street, Gansbaai 7220, South Africa
+27 (0) 82 441 4555
Ranked #2 of 9 tours in Gansbaai
4.5 of 5 stars 52 Reviews
Type: Tours
Owner description: Shark Diving Unlimited specialises in conservation and education initiatives of all shark species around our coastline Owned by Michael Rutzen who has...... more » Owner description: Shark Diving Unlimited specialises in conservation and education initiatives of all shark species around our coastline Owned by Michael Rutzen who has been working with great white sharks since 1994. Four years later Mike began freediving with great white sharks and is now known worldwide as one of the few people who is able to interact with these magnificent predators outside the safety of the cage!Breathtaking images of Mike have been featured in numerous magazines and documentaries including BEYOND FEAR (National Geographic) and SHARKMAN (Discovery). Mike’s aim is to portray positive images of great white sharks in order to dispel the ‘JAWS’ myth.Mike is a PADI Instructor and the only person in the world qualified to teach the prestigious Great White Shark Distinctive Specialty PADI course. He is a qualified skipper, First Aid instructor, qualified rebreather, nitrox and commercial diver. Your skipper Frank Rutzen has spent his life on the ocean from Kwa-Zulu Natal to the Western Cape. He has worked in the great white shark cage diving industry since 1995 and has a passion for wildlife and an extensive knowledge of the Dyer Island marine ecosystem.Nsunda is a qualified South African tour guide and qualified scuba diver. He will help you with all your diving equipment needs and make sure that your day runs smoothly!Shark Diving Unlimited was the company of choice for HRH Prince Harry, His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, Leonardo Di Caprio and Brad Pitt. « less
Update attraction details
Write a Review

52 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    31
    10
    5
    6
    0
Date Rating
Stockholm, Sweden
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 April 2012

When one of the Greats took a bite in the cage it was one of those moments you will never forget. Early morning pumped up by adrenalin we entered the cage. I lost the number of sharks that showed us interest, many passing really tight. Do not worry everything is safe, safe! Do not hesitate to experience this and pay... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Somerset West, Western Cape, South Africa
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 April 2012
2
people found this review helpful

I was fortunate enough recently to go out with Shark Diving Unlimited on one of their cage dive trips. The total experience was memorable, but there were a few things that were disappointing. The brief (after a fantastic breakfast) was very short and not very helpful. The crew on board the Baracuda seemed totally bored with everything (another day at... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Cardiff, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
27 reviews 27 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 April 2012

This shark diving trip was the reason we came to Gansbaai on our tour of South Africa. We were greeted early in the morning with coffee and the option to have some breakfast which was great as it was too early for us to have breakfast at our Guest House. We were told the visibility was uncertain as the weather... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 2 more reviews by RhianyddS for Gansbaai
London
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 April 2012
2
people found this review helpful

I have been dreaming about that moment for years. It was a lovely morning in Gansbaai. The bad weather cleared from the day before and we were set to go. Unfortunately, the water visibility was very poor (0,5m) and the crew admitted it was because of the stormy weather they just had. They live there, they sail everyday and knew... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 April 2012

I totally recommend this experience...worth every penny and time.The crew is extremely well trained & polite with a sense of humor which kinda helps taking the edge off. I felt extremely safe and got in the water twice.(There was a pregnant lady who got in the water!) You get a ring side view of the sharks(i got lucky with 4)... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Cape Town
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 March 2012
2
people found this review helpful

2 things really were a disappointment: - the guy leading the trip was very uninspiring and really didn't blend in with the guests: he literally told us we would 'only get wet' when we would get into the cage because the visibility was very poor and we wouldn't be able to see any sharks. Well he was right about the... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
New York
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 March 2012

Amazing, amazing, amazing! I have been lucky to go to 45 countries and do numerous "tourist" adventures. However, the success of Shark Diving Unlimited was unprecedented. All the 14 people on the board got an up close and personal look at the great white. But what separated Unlimited from the normal outfitter was the pride in their work. We had... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
ireland
Senior Contributor
30 reviews 30 reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
58 helpful votes 58 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 February 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Shark diving - amazing experience, 10 out of 10for adrenalin rush. There were 6 of us on the trip so we got a good 90 minutes in the cage. The inly complaint was the Service could be better, the half hour of waiting could be used to talk about shark conservation and info on sharks More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Berkshire
Senior Contributor
27 reviews 27 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 February 2012
2
people found this review helpful

a truly wonderful experience. An honour to be able to see the great white sharks from such a close proximity. The sharls are NEVER fed. If anything, they will get bored with the boat, knowing they won't get fed. We saw 15 sharks and I would say that 11 of them swam past us without a second glance. It was... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
dublin
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 February 2012
1
person found this review helpful

We were very excited about this trip after reading the great reviews on this site but unfortunately we were left disappointed. After we had paid up our money, signed disclaimer etc. and boarded the boat we were told that there was zero visibility in the water and there was no point getting into the cage. We felt totally conned as... More

Was this review helpful? Yes

Travellers who viewed Shark Diving Unlimited also viewed

Great White Shark Tours
5 of 5 stars 19 Reviews
Gansbaai, Overberg
White Shark Adventures
4.5 of 5 stars 29 Reviews
Gansbaai, Overberg
 
White Shark Diving Tours
4 of 5 stars 14 Reviews
Gansbaai, Overberg
Great White Shark - Cage Diving
4 of 5 stars 10 Reviews
Cape Town, Western Cape
 

Been to Shark Diving Unlimited? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos Add Videos

Owners: What's your side of the story?

If you own or manage Shark Diving Unlimited, register now for free tools to enhance your listing, attract new reviews, and respond to reviewers.

Manage your listing