ORIGINAL WHALE WATCHING
Open Ended
Available all year round
Gansbaai
Families of all ages and sizes
100% Refundable. Cancel up to 7 days before your trip and get a full refund.
With international award-winning ORIGINAL Marine Dynamics Whale Cruises, you can experience the thrill of whale watching in South Africa, where majestic humpback, right, and blue whales grace the coastal waters during the summer months.
Embark on marine big 5 tours to spot not just whales but also dolphins, seals, and sea lions.
Activity Description
This cruise spans between 2 to 2.5hours and is arguably the only opportunity to see the marine big 5. You will go past Dyer Island, home to the endangered African penguin as well as Geyser Rock, which houses a robust colony of 60,000 Cape fur seals, present year-round. The journey will then take you though the world-famous channel known as ‘Shark Alley’, nestled between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock, Gansbaai include various species of seabirds such as albatrosses, petrels, shearwaters, gannets and terns, these birds are adapted to life at sea and can be seen gliding over the waves, diving for fish, or resting on the water’s surface.
Next, you navigate to prime whale viewing areas within the bay. The Southern right whale season extends from June to November, during which our focus shifts to observing these magnificent creatures as they visit our coastal waters for mating and calving purposes. Throughout the year, we may also encounter the more reserved resident Bryde’s whale. Additionally, we may encounter the majestic Humpback whales during the initiation and conclusion of their migration cycle. Our region also boasts three distinct dolphin species—common, bottlenose, and the endangered humpback variety. This marine adventure includes a visit to the shark cage diving vessels in the area to offer a sighting of a bronze whaler shark or the awe-inspiring great white shark.
Arrangements
Duration: Time on boat is about 2hrs
When: Set daily departure times, weather dependant..
Where: Great White House, Kleinbaai Gansbaai
Weather: Weather and tide dependent.
What to Wear: Warm clothing (it is cold on the water when the wind blows), trainers / sneakers, wind breaker
Things to Bring: Binoculars, camera, warm clothing, sunscreen, Anti Nausea medication (should seasickness be a concern- recommend that it is taken the night before and two hours prior to the trip).
Guests or Spectators: Non participating guests can remain at the Great White House, where they can purchase meals and drinks.
Requirements
Minimum Age: No Minimum age requirement
Fitness Level: No Fitness Requirement
Experience Level: No Experience Requirement
Inclusions
Boat Trip
Tea and coffee with muffins on arrival
Water on board
Towels and blankets on board
Safety and weather jacket
light meal after tour
Exclusions
Extra beverages and snacks.
Notes
All trips are weather and tide dependant and launch times may vary accordingly from those stated. Your launch time will be confirmed the day before.
Please allow enough time for transport from Cape Town (3 hours) and Hermanus (1 hour) when travelling to Gansbaai. Please be aware that there are road works en route and waiting times are included in the above travelling times.
OTHER ADVENTURES
Dive And Snorkle
Snorkeling with Cape Fur Seals has become a very popular marine adventure activity in Cape Town – mainly focused in Hout Bay where there can be several seal snorkeling boats at Duiker Island at any one time.
Kayak Adventure
Cape Kayaks & Adventures is a wonderful destination for adventure enthusiasts looking to explore the stunning Table Bay coastline from the sea. Their location is ideal, providing easy access to the water and a great launching point for kayaks.
Shark Cage Diving
Witness our great ocean predators in their own territory, with this fair trade certified business. Experience goosebump thrills, education, and relaxation on a luxury boat with experts and researchers.