Please note that the Conservation Fee is compulsory. Please check the Add-on and specify the number of adults and children during the booking process. The booking will not be successful if this add-on is not selected and accounted for to all members in the group.
Kindly specify the number of children included in your booking, where a child is aged 11 years or younger. Children under 5 years of age are exempt from charges. Please select the add-on option to include the Discounted Infant Seat (0-4 years) to apply for the Infant seat that is free of charge. Please keep in mind that the compulsory Conservation Fee applies to all guests, adults, children and infants.
Our tours are dependent on weather and tidal conditions, and consequently, launch times may deviate from the initial schedules. The exact launch time for your tour will be confirmed a day before.
Our fleet includes two custom-designed vessels, meticulously crafted to prioritize your safety and comfort, ensuring an optimal experience for observing marine wildlife. The Dream Catcher, a 14m catamaran, can accommodate up to 50 passengers and 6 crew members. Complementing this, the Whale Whisperer, a 4m semi-rigid inflatable, accommodates 24 passengers and 4 crew members. Our vessels offer ample space, furnished with dedicated platforms for photographers, onboard toilette facilities and a PA system. While we retain the prerogative to deploy any of our vessels based on passenger count, rest assured that your comfort and safety remain our priority. Our vessels undergo annual inspections by the South African Maritime Safety Authority, adhering to stringent specifications. Safety provisions include an onboard first aid kit, life-raft, radio, and cellular communications, and we have standard operational procedures assisting with any medical emergencies.
Upon your arrival at The Great White House, you will view an introductory briefing concerning the itinerary, safety protocols, and notable highlights. Guests will be dressed in essential life-jackets and waterproof jackets for their safety and convenience.
The duration of the Marine Big 5 Tour spans between 2 to 2.5 hours, depending upon wildlife sightings and prevailing weather conditions. All tours launch from Kleinbaai Harbour in close proximity to Gansbaai. Dyer Island, located 8 km offshore, stands as an access-controlled Important Bird Area (IBA), safeguarding numerous resident avian species, including the endangered African penguin. Situated adjacent to Dyer Island is Geyser Rock, which is home to a robust colony of 60,000 Cape fur seals, present year-round. Our journey will take us through the world-famous channel known as ‘Shark Alley’, nestled between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock. Next, we will navigate to prime whale viewing areas within the bay. With a wealth of over two decades of experience, we possess an innate awareness of optimal whale sighting locations. 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. The period spanning December to June offers opportunities to actively search for this species during our tours. 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. As luck would have it, we may have the privilege of encountering one of these species. 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.
It’s important to acknowledge that this is wildlife we work with and we cannot guarantee sightings; however, our dedicated team strives to provide opportunities to witness as many members of the Marine Big 5 as possible.
A hallmark of our tours lies in their fusion of enjoyment and education. Each excursion is led by seasoned marine biologists and guides, who eagerly share their wealth of knowledge with you, all while upholding a strong commitment to animal welfare and conservation. At the core of our ethos is responsible tourism, epitomized by our dedication to research, conservation initiatives, education, and the betterment of our local community.
To facilitate a seamless experience, all clients will receive an online check-in link. Completion of this process, including the signing of the indemnity form, is mandatory for tour participation.
Thank you for paying the conservation fee, your money goes directly towards the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, enabling us to do research, monitoring, attend to marine animal strandings, rehabilitation- and marine conservation work. This would not be possible without your conservation fee. This fee ensures that the whales, sharks, dolphins, seals and African penguins of the Dyer Island Eco System, will be here, not only upon your return, but your children’s and grandchildren’s return.
Boat Trip
Tea and coffee with muffins on arrival
Bottled water on board
All trips are weather and tide-dependent 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 traveling to Gansbaai. Please be aware that there are road works en route and waiting times are included in the above traveling times.
COVID-19: YOUR SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY!
It is our duty of care to ensure your safety is a priority and respond to any concerns during these ever-changing times. We pride ourselves on our attention to cleanliness and all our diving equipment is cleaned daily. For more information, please view our COVID-19 Protocols on our website.
We have the following precautions in place:
Alcohol-based antibacterial hand sanitizer for all guests onsite
Frequent cleaning and sanitization of all surfaces
On-call medical practitioners
Restrooms are checked & cleaned on a regular basis and replenished
Trained crew and team
COVID-19 TOP TIPS
Wear your mask
Wash and sanitize your hands regularly
Cover your face with the bend of your elbow or with a tissue if you cough or sneeze
Tissues will be available onsite as well as closed bins to dispose of them
Remember to cut the strings of your masks before disposal
Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
Avoid shaking of hands
Fill out your details correctly when registering! Should we need to contact you about anything, we need to have the right information to get in touch with you
COVID-19 UPDATED CANCELLATION POLICY UPDATED:
Our standard cancellation policy stands; however, we are always willing to review on a case by case basis for extenuating circumstances. We have implemented a free date change policy – so if a client wishes to postpone their trip, we are happy to change the departure date to later in 2021 or 2022 at no charge. Please note that if the client moves the date to 2023, the 2023 prices will come into effect.
Whale Watching · Dyer Island Cruises
Excellent provider of this service. We got close up to Whales, Seals and Penguins. The staff and equipment were all excellent. - Mohammed
It was a fantastic tour. We saw whales, seals and penguins very close. The trip was safe and the crew was very friendly and helpful. We are glad that the company feels responsible for protecting the nature. Great recommendation! - Jürgen
Wonderful experience with great guides and stunning visit with the whales. Informative and fun. A must do ! - Dominique
a wonderful cruise with a perfect staff - Arnaud
As someone who works in a travel agency and has traveled extensively, I've had the privilege of joining several whale-watching tours in different parts of the world. However, the experience I had on the Whale Watching Big 5 tour in South Africa truly stands out as one of the best! From the moment we boarded the boat, my partner and I were warmly welcomed by the friendly and professional crew. They were attentive and made sure everyone felt comfortable before setting out on the adventure. What particularly impressed us was the team's extensive knowledge and genuine passion for marine life. The way they expertly guided us in spotting whales, dolphins, and other marine creatures---some of which can be elusive---was absolutely amazing. My partner and I were blown away by their skill and dedication. A real highlight was the introduction to the penguin conservation efforts, which was both enlightening and sobering. Learning about the challenges penguins face and the potential for their extinction if we don't take action was deeply moving. It made me realize how important it is to protect our wildlife and what we can do to help. The crew shared these facts with such care, making us feel more connected to the wildlife we were seeing. The entire tour was an unforgettable experience, filled with excitement and a sense of responsibility toward the environment. I can't recommend it enough for anyone visiting South Africa---whether you're a seasoned traveler like me or embarking on your first wildlife tour, this experience is truly exceptional! Warmest thanks to the entire team for such a fantastic and memorable day! - EDUCATIONAL
© 2024 Tornado Tour Systems (Pty) Ltd ta Activitar.
