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Water activity

Gansbaai: Marine Big 5 Boat tour

4.4  / 5
209 reviews
Activity provider:Dyer Island Cruises
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Water activity

Gansbaai: Marine Big 5 Boat tour

Activity provider:Dyer Island Cruises
4.4  / 5
209 reviews
Likely to sell out

From $95 per person

Likely to sell out
Eco-certified
This activity, attraction, or activity provider has been certified eco-friendly by a third-party agency. GetYourGuide works with organizations from all over the world to bring you tours and activities that support sustainable practices.

Ever heard of the Marine Big 5? Gansbaai, South Africa is the best location for spotting whales, seals, sharks, dolphins and penguins all in a single trip. Learn all about these animals, conservation efforts and how you can contribute!

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 2.5 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English
Optional audio guide
German, Italian
Pickup optional
Your hotel in Hermanus. Pickup time will be confirmed the afternoon before the trip, after a detailed weather check has been done. Please wait in your hotel lobby.
Wheelchair accessible

Experience

Highlights
  • Get the chance to spot whales, seals, sharks, dolphins and penguins in just one trip
  • Relax on a spacious and comfortable whale-watching boat with an observation deck
  • Learn about all the marine species encountered while out at sea from an on-board Marine Biologist
  • Enjoy 5-star service while on board and on land, with amazing crew and friendly staff all around
  • Enjoy all amenities at The Great White House, the 5-star welcome facility
  • Visit the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary, a rehabilitation center for all sick and ill seabirds
Full description
Visit the Dyer Island ecosystem and have the opportunity to spot the Marine Big 5: whales, sharks, seals, dolphins, and penguins. Every year from June to December, the southern right whales arrive to mate and calve.  Witness mating displays, breaching, tail slapping, spy-hopping and more. You may also see Bryde’s whales, humpback whales, the elusive humpback dolphin and the common dolphin. An incredible array of seabirds and a sighting of the almost 60,000-strong Cape fur seal colony on Geyser Rock is guaranteed as the boat cruises down the famous Shark Alley. An onboard marine biologist will be on hand to teach you more about the amazing animals that visit these shores. On the day of your trip, you will be picked up from your hotel in Cape Town or Hermanus, if you have selected an option with transfers included. Upon arrival in Gansbaai, enjoy coffee/tea and muffins while listening to a dedicated safety briefing.  Once you're fitted with inflatable life jackets and wet-weather gear, take a 200-meter stroll down to the harbor to board the whale-watching vessel. Time spent out at sea on average is two hours depending on sea conditions and marine life activity.  Upon return to land, receive an informative debrief while enjoying warm soup and bread. Professional trip footage is also available to purchase after the trip so that you can have a permanent memory of your sightings.  If you have chosen the option with transfers from Cape Town, a visit to the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary is also included on your way back. You'll see the important efforts being made to rehabilitate injured and sick animals.
Includes
  • Return transportation from Cape Town or Hermanus (depending on option selected)
  • Coffee/tea and muffins on arrival
  • Light lunch after the trip
  • 1 dedicated safety briefing before the trip and 1 debrief after the trip
  • Inflatable life-jackets and wet weather gear
  • Visit to the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (if option from Cape Town selected)
  • Other meals and drinks
  • Souvenirs at the curio shop
  • Professional trip footage

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Meet at The Great White House in Kleinbaai, 5 Geelbek St, Van Dyks Bay, 7220, South Africa. The meeting time will be confirmed the day before your trip.

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Important information

What to bring

  • Warm clothing
  • Comfortable shoes

Not allowed

  • Smoking in the vehicle
  • Alcohol and drugs

Know before you go

  •  All ages are welcome on the vessels. Should you have kids under 5, please contact the supplier directly to amend your booking accordingly. Kids 1 to 4 years old are free of charge.
  • Both the welcome facility and whale watch vessel are wheelchair friendly
  • The vessel can accommodate 2 wheelchairs per trip
  • If you are prone to motion sickness, it's recommended that you use anti-seasickness medication starting the day before the trip
  • Please bring warm clothes as it colder on sea than land
  • Please bring along sunscreen and a hat
  • This is a full-day activity with a duration of up to 8 hours, sometimes even longer
  • This is a weather dependent activity and sightings are not guaranteed
  • Starting times mentioned are subject to change daily and only used as indication
  • Exact pickup time can only be confirmed the afternoon before the trip after a detailed weather check has been done - guests will be contacted
  • The scenic drive from Cape Town to Gansbaai is 2.5 hours one-way
Likely to sell out

From $95 per person

Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
  • Give this as a gift

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.4 /5

based on 209 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.6/5
  • Transportation
    4.6/5
  • Service
    4.4/5
  • Organization
    4.6/5

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R
Roland – GermanyNovember 13, 2023 – Verified booking
We had an absolutely wonderful day with stunning views. We actually had the chance to spot all of the 'Big Five of the Sea.' The team's dedication and expertise are evident, giving the experience a unique touch far from the usual mass tourism. I would really recommend it to anyone visiting the region.
Helpful?
G
GetYourGuide traveler – GermanyOctober 15, 2023 – Verified booking
We did the boat tour in October and saw a female southern right whale with her calf, seals, penguins and sharks. However, we were only able to observe the sharks while cage diving on the other ship. The crew is incredibly helpful and kind. People keep asking if everything is OK or if you have any questions. Rain jackets and, if necessary, rain pants are provided. The soup at the end was super tasty and really felt good after the trip. What we found very unfortunate was that on the way back we saw another very large whale fluke and didn't slow down or stop to look at the whale again. Nevertheless, overall it was a great experience with lots of information and impressions.
Helpful?
f
fany – SpainOctober 3, 2023 – Verified booking
Magnífico, hemos logrado ver todo lo ofertado. Siempre depende de la suerte, pero hacen todo lo posible para que así sea. Las explicaciones del personal muy completas. Además tuvimos el contratiempo de tormenta el día que lo teníamos reservado pero nos ofrecieron un cambio de fecha si podíamos o devolver el dinero. Muy profesionales
Helpful?

Product ID: 162024

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