5 Wild Things in Gansbaai, South Africa
Gansbaai steals the hearts of all who meet it. This sleepy fishing town in the Western Cape of South Africa has an indescribable alluring charm that keeps adventure seekers coming back for more. If you love the ocean and you love wildlife, then this is a must-visit addition to your South African road trip. Where should you head in Gansbaai to get your taste of the wild?
Shark Cage-Diving
You can’t come to the great white shark capital of the world and not dive with sharks. Although the presence of white sharks in the area has fluctuated in recent years, there is now a relatively reliable bronze whaler population to wet adrenaline-junkies appetites. Bronze whaler sharks are a schooling species, so when they turn up to the boat it’s usually in numbers. As the name suggests, these large torpedo-shaped sharks have a beautiful copper colouration, and in the right light, they appear iridescent. Get a front-row seat to their underwater world and change your perspective by getting in the cage with a responsible tour operator. Remember, wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed - the ocean has no walls and animals can go where they choose. Maybe you’ll be lucky and witness a great white shark during your dive too!
Where: Marine Dynamics
2. Marine Wildlife Watching
Sharks aren’t the only marine wonders you can spot in Gansbaai. At this ocean oasis, get up close to all the Marine Big 5 – sharks, whales, dolphins, penguins, and seals. Head to Geyser Rock with Dyer Island Cruises and observe more than 60,000 cape fur seals frolicking about in the world-famous Shark Alley before veering toward Dyer Island seabird sanctuary to catch sight of African penguins. If whales and dolphins are more your cup of tea, you’re not going to want to miss this venture either. Southern right whales are magnificent gentle giants and are present in Walker Bay from June to December as they migrate to South Africa’s waters to breed and calf from the icy Southern Ocean. Bryde’s whales, a shyer species, can also be observed for the rest of the year. Hermanus is world-famous as being the best land-based whale-watching location globally. Still, the suburb of De Kelders in Gansbaai offers just as good, if not better, glimpses of these incredible creatures from the shore. Common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and the rarer humpback dolphins may be spotted too, but always remember that the ocean is wild, and wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
Where: Dyer Island Cruises or Ivanhoe Whale-Watching
3. African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary
A visit to Gansbaai is not complete without dropping by the African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary. African penguins are at risk of extinction due to overfishing, climate change and habitat loss threatening their survival. The odds are further stacked against them as they have to swim further and further away to find food. Often they do not replenish the energy these longer journeys take, and as a result, they die of starvation, or they are too weak to defend themselves from predators, like the Cape fur seal. Thanks to the efforts of Dyer Island Conservation Trust, these charismatic seabirds have a fighting chance. Your visit to the Sanctuary supports their vital conservation work and keeps hope for their survival alive.
Where: African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary
4. Horse Riding Pearly Beach
Galloping on horseback across the expansive Pearly Beach is a memory you’ll never forget. Trek from the idyllic ranch to a background of white sands and soothing seas for a tranquil assault on the senses. No trip is complete without a dip in the ocean, with your horse, of course! If the conditions are right, this is the cherry on top of the trip. There is no feeling like gliding through the crisp water accompanied by a trusty animal companion. For something extra special, book a sundowner trail for the ultimate bucket-list indulgence as you take in breath-taking sunset views whilst enjoying a drink (or two) before heading back to the ranch. Sarah and Kos are the perfect guides and will photograph and film your trip from start to finish so you can focus on drinking in the moments of magic.
Where: Pearly Beach Horse Trails
Image by Kimberley Dmr
5. Croc Diving
If shark cage-diving got your adrenaline pumping, then next on your list should be crocodile diving. Afrikanos is home to a bask (group) of Nile crocodiles that you can observe behind the safety of a stainless steel fence, making it easy to get close to these apex predators. Nile crocodiles are the largest crocodile species in Africa, and during this exhilarating experience, you can get a feel for their enormous size. Afrikanos is a short drive from Kleinbaai, so why not follow up your marine adventure with pizza and croc diving at Afrikanos?