Shark Cage Diving Boat, Cage & Surface Air Supply

Your shark cage diving experience is only as good as the equipment and crew behind it. At Sharklady Adventures, we have carefully designed every aspect of your experience—from our purpose-built vessel and secure shark cage to our reliable surface air supply system—to maximise safety, comfort, and your time in the water. Whether you’re an experienced diver or stepping into a shark cage for the first time, you’ll have the opportunity to observe sharks up close using professionally maintained equipment designed specifically for shark cage diving. Learn more about our boat, the cage, and how our basic hookah (surface air supply) works, so you know exactly what to expect before your adventure begins.

Every unforgettable shark cage diving adventure begins aboard Lady T, Sharklady Adventures’ purpose-built shark cage diving catamaran. Designed by Kim “Sharklady” Maclean herself, Lady T was built specifically for Great White Shark cage diving, with every aspect of the vessel carefully planned to maximise passenger comfort, safety, shark viewing, and filming opportunities. More than just a boat, Lady T represents decades of practical experience and a genuine passion for introducing people to sharks in their natural environment.

Built by Butt Cat in 2008, Lady T is an approximately 11 to 12-metre catamaran powered by twin 200 HP four-stroke Suzuki engines. The catamaran hull provides excellent stability on the water, while the extended bow was specifically incorporated into the design to deliver a smoother, more comfortable ride as you travel to the shark diving site.

Unlike some vessels that have simply been adapted for shark cage diving, Lady T was designed from the ground up around the needs of both guests and crew. Kim worked tirelessly to perfect every detail of the layout, ensuring there is ample space to move around comfortably while enjoying uninterrupted views of the surrounding ocean. The spacious deck design also provides plenty of room for photographers and videographers to capture incredible wildlife encounters without feeling crowded.

Lady T is equipped with practical onboard facilities to make your trip as comfortable as possible. A dry change room allows guests to prepare for their dive away from the elements, while a private heads compartment (toilet) adds convenience during the excursion. Above the main deck, the large upper viewing deck offers a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the surrounding waters, making it an ideal place to watch for sharks, whales, dolphins, seabirds, and other marine life while taking in the beautiful scenery of the Gansbaai coastline.

Proudly displaying the colours of the South African flag, Lady T reflects both Sharklady Adventures’ South African heritage and Kim Maclean’s lifelong commitment to marine conservation and shark education. The vessel remains one of her proudest achievements, combining thoughtful design with years of practical experience to create a boat that is perfectly suited to providing safe, comfortable, and memorable shark cage diving experiences.

Ready to experience Lady T for yourself? Join Sharklady Adventures for an unforgettable shark cage diving adventure in Gansbaai and discover why our purpose-built vessel has been designed with your comfort, safety, and shark encounters in mind. Whether it’s your first shark dive or another exciting addition to your ocean adventures, we look forward to welcoming you aboard for an experience you’ll never forget.

At Sharklady Adventures, our shark cage has been designed to provide guests with a safe, comfortable, and unforgettable way to experience sharks in their natural environment. Positioned alongside Lady T, the cage offers exceptional underwater viewing while allowing you to feel completely immersed in the experience without requiring scuba equipment or prior diving experience.

The cage comfortably accommodates four people at a time, giving friends and families the opportunity to share the excitement together. Its spacious design provides plenty of room to move, making it suitable for both first-time cage divers and experienced ocean enthusiasts. Over the years, the cage has become the setting for countless unforgettable memories – including marriage proposals and even weddings beneath the surface – making it far more than just a viewing platform.

Manufactured using durable steel construction, the cage is built to withstand the demanding marine environment while providing a stable and secure experience in the water. Strong handrails, a reinforced floor, and a practical layout allow guests to enter and exit comfortably while maintaining excellent visibility throughout their dive.

Families are also welcome to enjoy this incredible experience. Children from the age of five may participate by special request, subject to the Divemaster’s discretion and permission. Every child is individually assessed to ensure the experience is appropriate for their age, confidence level, and the prevailing sea conditions, with safety always remaining the highest priority.

At Sharklady Adventures, we use a Basic Hookah (surface air supply) that delivers breathable air from compressed cylinders on the boat directly to the diver’s regulator through a dedicated hose. The system is simple, reliable, and well suited to the shallow depths used during shark cage diving.

Some operators market a similar cylinder-based system as “hookah diving.” Traditionally, however, a hookah system refers to a dedicated surface-supplied diving system, often using a compressor and additional air management equipment. These systems are more complex to operate and, depending on local regulations and the type of diving, may require specialised training, qualifications, or regulatory compliance. Sharklady’s surface air supply is known as Basic Hookah, not simply hookah.

Because our system uses compressed air cylinders rather than a traditional hookah setup, we describe it by its technically accurate name: a surface air supply, also known as basic hookah. This gives guests a clear understanding of the equipment they will be using while avoiding confusing marketing terminology.

Before your dive, our experienced crew provides a comprehensive safety briefing and demonstrates exactly how to use the regulator and surface air supply system. No previous diving experience or certification is required– simply breathe normally and enjoy the incredible experience of observing sharks up close from the safety of the cage. Our goal is to ensure every guest feels confident, comfortable, and fully prepared before entering the water. Children 10 and up can use our basic hookah.

From the moment you step aboard Lady T until your time beneath the surface in our spacious shark cage, every aspect of your adventure has been designed with safety, comfort, and an unforgettable shark encounter in mind. Our purpose-built vessel, professionally constructed shark cage, and reliable surface air supply system all work together to provide a world-class shark cage diving experience. For added peace of mind, Lady T, the shark cage, and all associated safety equipment undergo annual inspections in accordance with South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) requirements, ensuring they continue to meet the required standards for safe and enjoyable shark cage diving. We invite you to join us and experience these magnificent animals from a unique perspective while knowing you’re in safe, experienced hands.

We care because we are privileged to enjoy a large number of marine species along our coastline.

We protect so as to conserve and keep our marine resources and species alive for future generations to appreciate as well.

Education is where it starts. We educate our youth as they are our future and only hope in saving our fragile planet.