“Airjaws”, False Bay’s Flying Great White Sharks
Simon's Town is just 40 minutes from Cape Town and the base from where our boat, Blue Pointer 2, departs from the Simon’s Town pier. A 20 minute trip will take you to Seal Island, False Bay, famous for the great white "Flying Sharks", a term used for their highly athletic breaching and hunting behavior.
We depart early in the morning as it is at first light when the great white’s natural predatory interaction with the seals is the most intense.
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 such awe for these amazing predators.
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 short decoy tow using a fake cut out carpet 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 centered on watching the great white sharks breach and cage diving all in one trip.
Want to book an AIRJAWS tour?
What to bring
- 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 May 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.)
