Gansbaai

For years, Gansbaai was known internationally for almost one thing: great white sharks.

By the late 20th century, the town had become a major centre for shark cage diving, and the shark gradually came to dominate its tourism identity.

Then the ocean changed the script.

After 2017, great white shark presence around Gansbaai dropped sharply. Among the factors linked to that change are the now-famous orcas Port and Starboard.

For the town, this became an important turning point.

Gansbaai had to show again that its coastal life had never been about one predator alone. Fishing, whales, marine science, fynbos and a much wider ocean ecosystem remain part of the area.

Even the name tells a completely different story. Gansbaai means “goose bay”, referring to a freshwater spring once visited by wild geese.

The first fishing cottages around Stanford’s Bay date to around 1811, while the settlement’s development is also connected with people who remained in the area after the Birkenhead shipwreck near Danger Point in 1852.

That makes Gansbaai especially interesting now. A town that spent decades selling one famous encounter with a predator is learning to tell the story of an entire coastline again.

In short: 🦈 Shark cage-diving history · 🐋 Whales · 🐋 Orcas Port and Starboard · 🎣 Fishing · 🌿 Fynbos · 🔬 Marine science · 📍 Overberg

🏡 For your stay: Gansbaai suits visitors looking for the Overberg coast and trips around the region. Check the exact address, distances and evening transport before booking.

🚗 Getting around: plan your journeys and compare transport options for your route.

📍 Explore the region: consider a trip to Hermanus.