Shark Cage Diving
In 1990, South Africa was the first country in the world to protect the Great White Shark. Kleinbaai is the home to Great White Shark Cage Diving.
With the 50 000 Cape Fur Seals living on Dyer Island, the Great White sharks have a natural feeding ground. All shark cage diving boats launch from Kleinbaai's natural harbor and give visitors the opportunity to experience the Great White Shark up-close and personal a real “face to face”.
Shark cage diving is for all people big and small, young and old. The excursion takes between 3 – 4 hours. No scuba experience is required. When not in the cage, you can still enjoy excellent sightings of the great white sharks from the deck. Great Whites Sharks are surface feeders and thus all activity takes place on or very close to the surface. On occasions you will also see some African Penguins and numerous sea birds on the trip.
Whale Watching
Following ancient pathways, the Southern Right Whales return to our shores each year as they enter the bay from the south at the end of their annual migration. For six month they will spend time in one of the world’s most important oceans nurseries, rearing calves in the shallow, sheltering waters of the Walker Bay Sanctuary. The Southern Right Wales start arriving by the end of June and tailing off in December with their new born calves.
The sightings of the visiting Humpbacks Whales and Bryde’s Whales in the bay is an exciting opportunity to see the migratory species as it travels past our shores, either en route to breeding grounds in warm tropical waters, or returning to distant feeding grounds in the remote reaches of Antarctica. These whales can be spotted all year round. Occasional sightings of Killer Whales have been made.
Experience the best Whale Watching boat tour from our Kleinbaai harbor. It is a 2 – 3 hour boat drive and you will experience the Marine Big 5.
Horse Riding
Gansbaai and Pearly Beach Horse Trails invite you on a memorable horseback adventure that will take you through a dune forest and across the pristine white sandy beaches of one of the most tranquil stretches of the Cape Whale Coastline. Enjoy individual and knowledgeable attention from your personal trail guide, Sarah Coronaios. Southern Right Whales are plentiful in season and the lure of a dip in the cool blue Atlantic beckons on hot trail-riding days.
Sarah’s team of good-natured horses love the feel of the Pearly Beach beach sand under their hooves, the spray of surf in their manes and the sweet smell of indigenous Fynbos, making these trails a truly unique bonding experience between horse and human.
There are horses and ponies to suit riders of all ages and all levels of experience.
Hiking & Nature Trails
The 7 km Duiwelsgat Hiking trail from Gansbaai through to De Kelders. Experience the only fresh water cave along the African coast, a beach of perfectly formed tiny shells and more.
The Grootmelkhoutbos Hiking Trail in Franskraal in a conservation area where no plant or animal may be disturbed or harmed in any way. The trial is a circular route of 2km and takes just about an hour to complete.
Take a walk at Platbos, a forest trail for bird and tree enthusiasts situated between Stanford and Gansbaai. Appreciate this unique forest ecosystem and dedicate the planting of a tree to someone special when you visit the Reforestation and Conservation Project.
On the never ending sandy beaches at Pearly Beach long uplifting and soul-searching walks may safely be enjoyed.
Danger Point Lighthouse
Visit one of our historical sites. On a short scenic route along the coast of the Birkenhead Peninsula you will find the historic Danger Point Lighthouse.
The lighthouse was commissioned on 1 January 1895 after the tragic sinking of the HMS Birkenhead Troopship, on 26 February 1852. The Birkenhead became famous because it was the first shipwreck where the "women and children first" protocol was applied This amazing building with its three light flashes every 40 seconds is open to the public weekdays from 10 am till 3 pm. Tourist can climb up into the tower soaring 18.3meters in the sky and take in the mind blowing panoramic views of the area where mountain, sky, fynbos and ocean meet.
African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary
The African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary (APSS) serves as a custom-designed, world class, marine bird rehabilitation centre in the Overstrand area. They provide temporary rehabilitative care to diseased, displaced, injured, oiled and abandoned marine birds with special focus on the endangered African Penguin. Marine bird rescue, rehabilitation and release form part of the conservation management plan to conserve and maintain African Penguin populations, and other seabirds. Through continued research, education and awareness programmes, they aim to mitigate human impacts on our colonies.
An Auditorium equipped with a big screen TV, which is linked up to the Rehabilitation area – the Bird Hospital and the Laboratory/Clinic, will enable any guest who visits the facility to see what is being done behind the scenes. The African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary is open daily between 9:00 – 16:00 and entrance is free.