“Airjaws”, False Bay’s Flying Great White Sharks
Simon's Town Pier in Simon's Town is just 40 minutes from Cape Town and the base from where we depart.
A 20 minute trip from will take you to Seal Island False Bay, famous for "AIRJAWS", a term used for their highly athletic breaching and hunting behavior.
Great white sharks often attack their prey with such force and explosive energy that it propels them right out of the water. To witness a breaching Great White Shark is a spectacular sight, and will definitely leave you with a lasting impression.
We depart early in the morning. It's at first light when the great white's natural predatory interaction with the seals is the most intense and we get to witness "AIRJAWS".
We try to get as close to a predatory event as possible, however every effort is made to avoid blocking a seal's escape path to the Island.
When the natural predation activity has quieted down we try for a decoy tow using a fake cut out "dummy" seal, in which we attempt to get the great white shark to breach. Towing of the decoy allows for the best photographic opportunity. Being eco-sensitive we only do this for a limited period.
What happens if the shark doesn't catch the seal when it breaches?
Not every breach leads to a successful predation. If the shark misses the seal, then the chase is on. And boy, what an exciting chase. It is a game of cat and mouse of epic proportions as you are rooting for the seal, yet wanting to see a predation activity!
Our “Airjaws” shark trip is a combination of a great white shark breaching and acage diving trip.
Want to book an AIRJAWS trip?
What to bringon an AIRJAWS trip
- Rain/wind jacket
- Sun block and Hat
- Camera (we sell disposable underwater camera’s)
- Take sea sick tablets
Please Note: All trips are weather permitting and are subject to cancellations based on bad weather. In this event a full refund is offered.
What is the best time of the year to see the sharks?
To view the sharks breaching in False Bay, Cape Town, the best time to go is in our winter months, from April to September. Great white sharks have also been seen to breach when they are not hunting. No one quite knows why.
African Shark Eco Charters has been operating in False Bay since 1995, and was the first great white shark charter company to have a licence in the area. Our operation was the first company to document and research the flying sharks. (The famous Airjaws and many more documentaries have been filmed from Rob’s boat.)
