What to wear for shark cage diving in Gansbaai: packing list and sea-sickness tips
The practical prep that most guides skip
Most shark cage diving pages tell you about the sharks. This one tells you about the other things that determine whether your experience is extraordinary or uncomfortable — sea sickness, cold water, camera handling on a moving deck, and what to eat beforehand.
Getting this preparation right makes a measurable difference. The experience itself is determined by the sharks; everything else is determined by your preparation.
What the operator provides
Understanding what you do not need to bring is the starting point.
Wetsuits: provided by all Gansbaai cage dive operators. Typically 5mm full wetsuits. These are essential — the water in Gansbaai runs 12-17°C year-round, with the coldest months being June-August. You will be cold regardless of the wetsuit if you are in the cage for extended periods.
Weight belts: provided. Needed to stabilise you in the cage without bobbing upward.
Mask and snorkel: provided. Used for the underwater cage observation — you look through the mask with your face below the waterline.
Regulator: provided. Some operators offer a basic hookah (surface-supplied air) system attached to the cage so you can breathe underwater without holding your breath. This is optional but makes longer cage sessions more relaxed.
Towels: typically provided or available.
Light breakfast or snack: most operators provide something light at the harbour before departure — rusks, coffee, fruit. Substantial food is available post-dive.
Safety briefing and instruction: operators brief all participants before departure on cage etiquette, safety procedures, and what to expect.
Clothing: what to bring
The single most common mistake first-timers make is not dressing warmly enough for the boat.
In summer (November-March): the water temperature at Gansbaai runs 17-21°C. The wetsuit is sufficient for the cage. On the boat deck, a light fleece or long-sleeved layer is useful for the crossing to Dyer Island — wind off the South Atlantic feels cold even in January when you are wet.
In winter (April-September): treat the boat preparation seriously. Water temperature 12-17°C means the wetsuit is the critical layer in the cage. On the boat deck, pack:
- A merino or synthetic thermal base layer worn under the wetsuit (significantly extends your cold tolerance in the cage)
- A warm fleece or down jacket for between cage sessions
- A windproof outer layer or anorak
- Warm hat and gloves for the deck — non-negotiable in June-August when the wind off the South Atlantic is biting
Footwear: old trainers or water shoes are ideal. You will be on a boat deck, getting wet, so any footwear you mind getting wet or damaged is the wrong choice. Flip-flops are fine for the harbour but not practical on a wet, moving deck.
Clothing under the wetsuit: a thin synthetic thermal underlayer (typically long-sleeved top) worn beneath the wetsuit makes a material difference in cold water. You will be in and out of the cage multiple times over two to three hours. Between sessions, the water temperature drops you faster than anticipated.
Sea sickness: the most important preparation
Sea sickness affects a higher proportion of shark cage diving participants than most people expect, partly because “I don’t usually get sea sick” is almost universally said and sometimes incorrect.
The Kleinbaai to Dyer Island crossing is 15-20 minutes in open water. In a moderate swell (1-1.5 metres, which is common in the South Atlantic year-round), the boat pitches and rolls. If you are prone to motion sickness — car sickness, mild discomfort on rough ferry crossings, sensitivity to reading in a car — take this seriously.
Recommended medication:
Stugeron (cinnarizine 15mg tablets): the most widely recommended sea-sickness medication among experienced Gansbaai operators and regular visitors. Take one tablet 90 minutes before boarding the boat — not at the harbour, not on the boat. It needs time to reach effective concentration. Available over the counter at South African pharmacies. Mild drowsiness is a possible side effect. Safe for adults; check dose guidance for ages under 12.
Kwells (hyoscine hydrobromide): an alternative that some people find more effective. Also taken before departure.
Ginger: ginger root capsules, crystallised ginger, or ginger chews are a useful supplement but not a substitute for medication if you have any history of sea sickness. Many operators stock ginger sweets on board.
Non-medication tactics:
- Eat a light meal before departure — not empty (nausea is worse on an empty stomach) but not heavy
- Avoid alcohol the night before
- Stay on the deck rather than below (fresh air and horizon-watching are the most effective non-pharmacological interventions)
- Face forward and look at the horizon, not down at the water immediately below the boat
- Between cage sessions, stay standing or sitting on the upper deck rather than sitting in the cabin
If you get sick despite preparation: tell the crew. They have experience with this, have seasick bags on board, and will not judge you. Most people recover once the boat is stationary over the dive site. If you are genuinely incapacitated, experienced skippers can also run for calmer water or return to harbour — safety is not compromised by a sick passenger.
Photography: what to bring
Underwater photography at shark cage diving level requires specific thought.
The challenge: you are in a moving cage, at surface level, often with limited visibility (5-12 metres in most Gansbaai conditions), in cold water that fogs up masks and creates condensation on housings. Sharks are moving fast. The optimal window for a single shot may be 2-3 seconds.
Recommended options:
GoPro or similar action camera with underwater housing: the most practical option for most participants. Wide-angle, waterproof by default, easy to handle in a wetsuit-gloved hand. GoPro footage from cage dives is impressive and honest. Limitations: fixed wide angle may not fill the frame with the shark.
Compact camera with diving housing: better optical quality than a GoPro, still manageable in a cage. Canon PowerShot series with an underwater case is a reliable combination.
DSLR/mirrorless with full underwater housing: excellent quality if you have the kit and experience. The cage environment makes it harder to handle large equipment, and getting in/out of the cage with a large housing is clunky. Experienced underwater photographers do this successfully, but it requires prior water familiarity.
Using your phone in a waterproof pouch: limited optical quality. Adequate for video documentation; not ideal for quality photographs. The condensation issue in cold water is real.
Practical camera advice:
- Rent an underwater camera from the operator if you do not have your own — most Gansbaai operators have GoPro units available for rent.
- Charge all devices the night before.
- Pre-set video to 4K 60fps for slow-motion editing flexibility.
- Practice one-handed operation in cold gloves before you need to use it.
What to eat and drink beforehand
Before departure: a light, easy-to-digest meal 1-2 hours before the boat. Avoid greasy, heavy, or spicy food. Oats, toast, yoghurt, fruit. Many guesthouses in Hermanus serve early breakfast before the Gansbaai run.
On the boat: the operators provide light snacks. Do not eat heavily on the boat before you are through the worst of the crossing.
After the dive: you will be hungry. Most operators provide a hot drink and snack post-dive at the harbour. The drive back to Hermanus or Cape Town is a reasonable window for a proper meal.
Hydration: water is provided on board. Stay hydrated — dehydration worsens sea sickness.
What to leave behind
- Valuable jewellery (wetsuit gear and water handling are hard on delicate items)
- Expensive shoes (anything you mind getting wet and salty)
- Large shoulder bags (storage on small boats is limited)
- A camera without underwater capability (it will get wet)
The morning timeline
6:00am: leave Hermanus for Kleinbaai (40 minutes). Or leave Cape Town by 4:30-5am for a direct trip.
6:30-7:00am: arrive at Kleinbaai harbour. Registration, safety briefing, wetsuit fitting.
7:00-7:30am: departure. Take your sea sickness medication well before this point — ideally when you wake up if you are a person who struggles with motion sickness.
7:45-8:00am: arrive at the dive site near Dyer Island.
8:00am-11:30am: cage operations — alternating sessions in the cage, periods on deck watching the sharks.
11:30am-12:00pm: return to Kleinbaai harbour. Hot drink, snacks.
12:00pm onward: drive back to Hermanus or Cape Town, or continue east toward the Garden Route.
The Gansbaai shark cage diving experience and the Marine Dynamics version both follow this approximate timeline. The Marine Dynamics booking includes the DICT African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary visit, which adds a 45-60 minutes at the harbour after the dive.
Frequently asked questions
I never get seasick. Do I still need medication?
This is the most dangerous sentence to say before a Gansbaai trip. The South Atlantic swell is not predictable, and a moderate 1.5-metre swell — which feels minor on a large ferry — feels significant on a 10-metre cage diving vessel. Many experienced sailors who do not get sick on ferries have been surprised by the Cape waters. The medication is cheap, the potential misery of three hours of nausea on a boat is significant, and the medication’s side effects are mild. Take it.
What size wetsuit will I get?
Operators carry wetsuits from XS to XXXL. When booking, you will be asked for your height and weight to match you to a suit. Wetsuits should fit snugly — a loose wetsuit flushes cold water through and eliminates much of the thermal protection. If you are between sizes, go smaller rather than larger.
Can I bring a drone?
No. The South African Civil Aviation Authority prohibits drone operation over vessels at sea without specific authorisation, and no cage diving operator will permit drone launch from their boat. Drone operation near wild wildlife would also be irresponsible and potentially prohibited under marine mammal protection regulations.
What happens if the weather is bad on my booked day?
Responsible operators cancel when conditions are unsafe. Most have a rescheduling policy rather than a refund policy — if they cancel for weather, you get priority on the next available day. Confirm the cancellation and rescheduling terms before booking, particularly if your schedule is tight.
