Gansbaai (Goose Bay) is renowned for good fishing, fine boat-based and land based whale watching, but over recent years it has really established itself as the great white shark capital of the world. Gansbaai is one of the few places left in the world where one can still shark cage dive with these magnificent creatures. About four nautical miles from the Kleinbaai harbour, you'll find the pristine Dyer Island, primarily a bird sanctuary with penguins, cormorants and many other marine birds. Next to Dyer Island lies Geyser Island / Rock that hosts a colony of more than 30 000 Cape fur seals. Between these islands lies 'Shark Alley', where the mysterious and graceful Great White Sharks have drawn visitors from across the globe.

In 1990, South Africa was the first country in the world to protect the great white shark.

Named after a colony of Egyptian geese, Gansbaai is situated on a traditional Fishing Harbour that attracts shore and boat anglers throughout the year. The cove that once provided a safe landing spot for the small fishing vessels of yesteryear was deepened, adequate moorings were built and today Gansbaai boasts two modern harbours.

Gansbaai also known as the 'coast of contrasts', the remains of old shipwrecks, having sailed their last along this treacherous stretch of coast, have found their way to rest along this coast. It was off the point, today known as Danger Point, where the British troopship Birkenhead came to grief in 1852, with the loss of 445 lives, most of them soldiers. Heroes to a man, they stood rigid attention to the tilting decks as the civilian passengers were ferried to safety. Some of the survivors settled in the area to merge comfortably into the local farming community. Their descendants, though they bear English surnames, are almost exclusively Afrikaans-speaking.

Hike through magnificent fynbos and milkwood forests or explore the caves where archaeological digs have been made, go shark cage diving or just relax at a harbour restaurant while enjoying magnificent seafood. Gansbaai has much to offer for those seeking adventure with a touch of class.

More Gansbaai Links Below

Gansbaai Major Attractions - Gansbaai Great Outdoors
Gansbaai Accommodation Search - Gansbaai Photo Gallery