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Cape Town Seal watching tours

Our most recommended Cape Town Seal watching tours

Gansbaai: Marine Big 5 Boat tour

1. Gansbaai: Marine Big 5 Boat tour

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.

Cape Town: Pre-Sunset Champagne Cruise

2. Cape Town: Pre-Sunset Champagne Cruise

A pre-sunset Champagne cruises is an extremely popular cruise, ideal for families with kids who find the regular sunset cruise too late. Whilst out on the water you can watch the sun sink into the horizon and enjoy the “golden hour”, which makes for stunning photos. You'll be presented with fantastic views over the entire city of Cape Town, as well as the always impressive Table Mountain. Aboard your vessel, you will be welcome to enjoy a glass of complimentary sparkling wine which will be accompanied by commentary from the crew whilst on board the boat. This cruise is the second-last of the day, and returns to the V&A Harbour prior to the final sunset Champagne cruise.

Cape Peninsula & Boulders Beach Private Day Tour

3. Cape Peninsula & Boulders Beach Private Day Tour

First, make a quick stop in the heart of Cape Town city center to discover the colorful community known as Bo-kaap. Then, head straight for the coastline. Pass by affluent suburbs with some of the best beaches near the city, stopping for photos at Camps Bay. Proceed on towards Hout Bay seated in between gigantic mountains and the Atlantic.  Enjoy an optional scenic 40-minute round-trip boat ride to Seal Island. Resume your tour via the world-famous Chapman's Peak Drive. Marvel at this road engineering feat as you wind over the edge of the mountains; this scenic drive is not for the faint-hearted. Next, arrive at the Cape of Goodhope Nature Reserve just after midday. Discover the rich plant life of the Cape, early human history, maritime history and if you are lucky you might be able to have a mini safari.  Reach the southwesternmost point of the continent - the Cape of Good Hope - and take a photo with the sign. Hiking is recommended but no swimming because of sheer riptides. Carry on to Cape Point and walk for 20 minutes one way up to a historic lighthouse. You could also take a funicular at your own account if you are not in the mood for walking. Feel free to stop for lunch at the world-class seafood restaurant with a sea view or grab a quick bite in the food shop next door. Next, embark on a journey to Simon's Town for a special date with the endangered African penguins at Boulders Beach. Spend about 45 minutes at the penguin colony before you head back to Cape Town along the coastline. Pass through the quaint towns on this historically known Millionaire's Mile. Hear fun facts about the navy and Just Nuisance - the only dog in the world to have been an able seaman. Finally, discover Kalk Bay and Muizenberg Beach, the surfer's corner before returning to the starting point.

Cape Town: Ocean Wildlife Encounter Guided Boat Tour

4. Cape Town: Ocean Wildlife Encounter Guided Boat Tour

Ocean Wonder is an owner run service that offers boat based Ocean Wildlife Encounters. These intimate trips don't follow any set route. Instead, I'm guided by my understanding and ongoing observation of this environment, the creatures in it, and the ever changing water and weather conditions. These trips are all about finding and, where possible and legal, interacting with some of the amazing creatures that frequent the rich waters around Cape Town. Creatures that are commonly found are heavyside dolphins, dusky dolphins, common dolphins, Cape fur seals, humpback whales, southern right whales, brydes whales, sunfish, jellyfish, African penguins, and a wealth of other seabirds. An important intention for these trips is to foster connection with the ocean environment and to dispel fear about the ocean. It is my heartfelt belief that such a connection is critical for us to start looking after this incredible planet.

Cape Town: Shark Diving at Gansbaai Harbor Private Tour

5. Cape Town: Shark Diving at Gansbaai Harbor Private Tour

Enjoy a day of diving in a shark cage and viewing fearsome Great White Sharks in their natural environment. Get picked up from your hotel in Cape Town early in the morning and head to Gansbaai Harbor. Have breakfast and get a safety overview before heading out to see assorted birds, sharks, whales, and seals. Get inside the cage and dive down to get up close with the sea life and get a certificate memorializing your bravery. View a DVD of the day's dives over lunch. Enjoy a day of sea, sunshine, and majestic sea life at one of the few working fishing villages left in the Western Cape.

Cape Town: Marine Wildlife Cruise and City Tour

6. Cape Town: Marine Wildlife Cruise and City Tour

Immerse yourself in the thriving center of the Mother City and experience a fun combination tour of both the land and the sea. The tour starts with a trip to the waterfront for a 1.5 hour cruise of Table Bay. Marvel at the amazing sea life that lives here including seals, penguins, and dolphin pods, and if you’re lucky enough you might even spot a whale. Enjoy the stunning views of Table Mountain and Robben Island from the water and snap some incredible photos as the wildlife appears before you. After the boat ride, enjoy a stroll along the waterfront indoor food market and taste the flavors of the region with a selection of local delicacies and traditional treats. Once lunch is over, return to your guide in time for the afternoon city tour. The first stop on the tour is the Castle of Good Hope, which stands proudly on the outskirts of the business district and was built between 1666 and 1679 by the Dutch East India Company. Today, the Castle is the seat of the military in the Cape, and is open for visitors to explore and learn more about its history. Next, head to the Bo Kaap, tucked under the slopes of Signal Hill. The Bo Kaap is a fascinating and vibrant area that was somehow bypassed in the forced removal policies of the Apartheid. Also called the Malay Quarter, this area is characterized by its multicolored cottages and steep cobbled streets, as well as its exotic Malay culture. No tour in Cape Town would be complete without a visit to the Bo Kaap! Retrace the course of history next with a visit to the South African Museum. Take a look at life throughout the ages in South Africa and learn about the rich history of the region. Many exhibits can be found here, and there is also a Planetarium situated within the building. The museum is situated in the Company Gardens, which holds the Seat of Parliament. Pristine lawns, shady paths, ornate fish ponds, statues of past leaders and plenty of curious squirrels are just a part of the Company Gardens’ charm.

Frequently asked questions about Cape Town

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What are the best day trips and excursions from Cape Town?

The best day trips and excursions from Cape Town are:

Stellenbosch

Other Sightseeing Options in Cape Town

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What people are saying about Cape Town

Professionally organized trip along the coast, where we saw nothing, then meeting tye cage dive boats with no success. Continuing on we had a great encounter with Orcas (the ones that kill the GW sharks), a very rare encounter:-) Next beautiful interaction with common dolphins around the boat, next a Bryde whale - amazing. Finishing off with the seals at the island and some penguins. It was truly worth it, but boy, were we lucky!

Great experience, the crew were really nice and it’s a really nice view, all quite relaxed. Super straightforward to book and even on a choppy day it’s good fun. They serve a gentle pink sparkling (local MCC) and a cash bar on board if you want another drink.

Thanks to Paul and his expert‘s knowledge of the Ocean, we had beautiful encounters and were very lucky with the sightings. Thank you. Take care, Michelle

Very nice trip, and our guide was great and very knowledgeable about everything related to South Africa's history and wildlife!

Absolutely wonderful trip! Staff were lovely too. Would recommend