Marine Big 5 Safari with Transport from Cape Town
Description
We operate from Gansbaai around the world-famous Dyer Island where you might be so fortunate to see the Marine Big 5 – the Southern Right Whale/Humpback/Bryde’s Whales, various shark species, the Cape fur seal (around 60 000 on Geyser Rock), the endangered African Penguin and various visiting dolphin species. The area is also home to a wide variety of seabirds.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Dyer Island Cruises operates around the world-famous Dyer Island where you might be fortunate enough to see the Marine Big 5: Southern Right / Humpback / Bryde’s Whales, Great White Sharks around the renowned Shark Alley, Cape Fur Seals, the endangered African Penguin and various visiting dolphin species. The are is also home to a variety of seabirds. Our Southern Right Whale Season is normally from June – December, but for the rest of the year we occasionally see Humpback and Bryde’s whales in the area. We have an on-board Marine biologist and experienced crew who promise and educational, life-changing experience. Upon arrival at the Great White House, coffee/tea and muffins are served while listening to a dedicated safety and conservation briefing. We provide safety jackets and wet weather gear. After a short walk to the harbour we board custom deigned vessel, Dream Catcher and the adventure will commence. After the trip on sea, guests return to the Great White House for soup and bread followed by a debriefing. Quality trip footage can be bought, and you will receive a downloadable link. A free visit to the African Penguin and Seabirds Sanctuary is also included. Dyer Island Cruises supports The Dyer Island Conservation Trust under which we have a number of conservation and community projects. Please be assured that Your choice makes a difference by booking with us and help to fulfil our dream to Discover & Protect. If you make use of our dedicated shuttle, we will stop in the beautiful Hermanus. Here you can explore the walkway and curio craft market or have a snack to eat, before heading back to Cape Town.
Dyer Island Cruises operates around the world-famous Dyer Island where you might be fortunate enough to see the Marine Big 5: Southern Right / Humpback / Bryde’s Whales, Great White Sharks around the renowned Shark Alley, Cape Fur Seals, the endangered African Penguin and various visiting dolphin species. The are is also home to a variety of seabirds. Our Southern Right Whale Season is normally from June – December, but for the rest of the year we occasionally see Humpback and Bryde’s whales in the area. We have an on-board Marine biologist and experienced crew who promise and educational, life-changing experience. Upon arrival at the Great White House, coffee/tea and muffins are served while listening to a dedicated safety and conservation briefing. We provide safety jackets and wet weather gear. After a short walk to the harbour we board custom deigned vessel, Dream Catcher and the adventure will commence. After the trip on sea, guests return to the Great White House for soup and bread followed by a debriefing. Quality trip footage can be bought, and you will receive a downloadable link. A free visit to the African Penguin and Seabirds Sanctuary is also included. Dyer Island Cruises supports The Dyer Island Conservation Trust under which we have a number of conservation and community projects. Please be assured that Your choice makes a difference by booking with us and help to fulfil our dream to Discover & Protect. If you make use of our dedicated shuttle, we will stop in the beautiful Hermanus. Here you can explore the walkway and curio craft market or have a snack to eat, before heading back to Cape Town.
The African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary (APSS) serves as a custom-designed, world class, marine bird rehabilitation centre in the Overstrand area. We provide temporary rehabilitative care to diseased, displaced, injured, oiled and abandoned marine birds with special focus on the endangered African Penguin. Marine bird rescue, rehabilitation and release form part of the conservation management plan to conserve and maintain African Penguin populations, and other seabirds. Through continued research, education and awareness programmes, we aim to mitigate human impacts on our colonies
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pick-up from hotels, guesthouses, backpackers, vacation rentals, AirBnB's and any other points within Cape Town city centre. Please confirm your pickup address and we will let you know if it is possible. Please note that the tour departure time you select is not your pick-up time, but the actual time the boat leaves. Pickup starts: 3 hours before departure
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Wheelchair accessible, we can accommodate 2 wheelchairs per trip. Please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required.
- Excellent crew - one crew member to look after 6-7 guests.
- Please note that the Conservation Fee is compulsory.
- This tour is 2 to 2.5 hours, excluding your travel and briefing time.
Reviews(193)
Pay attention to whale season. If it isn’t whale season you aren’t going to see whales. It’s a 2.5 hour bus ride from Cape Town one way. The water has an average tide of 2.3 meters so if your easily sea sick this isn’t for you. Staff was nice, if it were what season this would be totally worth it. But I didn’t see the value if it isn’t whale season!
Dear Steven, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and for joining us on our Marine Big 5 Safari. We are sorry to hear that the experience did not fully meet your expectations. As with wildlife experiences, sightings can never be guaranteed and depend heavily on natural conditions, seasonal movements, and animal behaviour. While the Southern Right whale season in South Africa traditionally runs from July to November, we have still been fortunate to see Bryde’s whales on about 70% of our recent trips, along with occasional humpback whale sightings. Much like a safari in the Kruger National Park, every trip into nature is different; one day may offer extraordinary sightings, while the next may be quieter. That unpredictability is part of what makes wildlife experiences authentic and special. We do appreciate your kind comments about our staff, and most importantly, we thank you for supporting our conservation, research, and educational programmes through your visit. By joining us, you directly contributed to protecting marine wildlife and ecosystems along our coastline, and for that, we are truly grateful. We hope to welcome you back again during peak whale season in the future. Kind regards, Marine Dynamics Shark & Whale Tours
Booked this trip last minute as we had a few spare days in Cape Town. Pick up was easy and the mini bus was clean and comfortable luckily there were only 5 of us this day so plenty of room for all. Our driver was friendly and helpful. On arrival we were greeted by our guide and given a hot drink and cake. We then had a briefing on what to expect and H&S. Everyone had a life jacket and coat, just in case! On this occasion neither was needed! We then boarded the boat and headed out. The guide was quite clear that we may not see any of the big 5 but we did see all of them even if the whale sighting was brief. We were out on the water for just over two and a half hours. As well as our guide there was a marine biologist on board. We choose Marine Dynamics as they put a lot back into marine conservation and have a sea life sanctuary to help injured animals. After the boat was back on land we went back for hot soup and rolls, which was most welcome. Unfortunately I did feel a bit queasy on the trip even with sea sickness tablets as the swell was quite high but all of the staff on board did their best to help us. Overall a great trip and would recommend this company without hesitation, well worth it.
Hi MNalisonm, Thank you for taking the time to share such a detailed and thoughtful review of your Marine Big 5 Safari with Marine Dynamics. We’re so pleased to hear that your last-minute decision turned into such a rewarding experience. From the smooth transfer from Cape Town to the warm welcome on arrival, it’s great to know that every part of your journey contributed to an enjoyable day. Seeing all five of the Marine Big 5 is always something special, even when some sightings are brief, and we’re glad nature delivered on the day. Having both a knowledgeable guide and a marine biologist on board is something we’re proud of, as it allows us to share deeper insight into this unique ecosystem. Thank you as well for recognising our commitment to marine conservation and our efforts to support injured and endangered wildlife through our work. We do appreciate you mentioning the sea conditions, too. The ocean can be unpredictable, and we’re glad our crew could assist and support you during the trip. We hope to welcome you back again in the future for another memorable day at sea. Warm regards, The Marine Dynamics Team
We were picked up from our hotel right on time. After arriving at the destination we donned the life jackets and proceeded to the boat. We saw so many animals and were amazed by the scenic views from out on the water. All of the staff we came in contact with were so friendly and professional.id definitely do this tour again if I’m ever back in Cape Town.
If travelling from Cape Town it is a long day, two hours there and the same back. However the nature you see makes it worth it
We saw all big5 :) Lucky I took motion sickness pills though, as it was quite a bumpy ride. Worth the stuggle, be prepared though for rough waters. Was absolutely breathtaking to see thousands of dolfins around you 🥰
Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review, Erika! 🌊🐬 We’re thrilled to hear that you experienced the full Marine Big 5 — what an unforgettable day on the ocean! Seeing thousands of dolphins surrounding the boat truly is one of those breathtaking moments that stays with you forever. Thank you as well for mentioning the ocean conditions. Being prepared for a bumpy ride definitely helps, and we’re glad you felt it was worth it in the end. Nature always reminds us who’s in charge out there! We really appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another ocean adventure one day.
The day was well organised from pick up at the hotel to the time on the boat. Staff were welcoming and informative and we were fortunate to see all of the marine life mentioned in the programme including whales which are not normally seen in early December. Beautiful scenery en route and a fantastic time out on the water. Excellent trip.
Utterly brilliant tour - despite somewhat difficult seas!! Long drive in minivan from city - a little uncomfortable. Staff were all awesome. A snack and safety briefing then out to the boat. The day I went the sea was unforgiving - blowing a gale with very difficult sea conditions. The boat took off through the surf like a bucking bronco - which wasn't for everyone. The team on the boat were fab - informative, careful and always helping the guests. As with all these things, nature doesn't always play ball, and the sea conditions meant we could not safely go where some of the animals were, which was a pity, and the swell/lumpy sea meant actually spotting things was difficult. I wanted brilliant photos, and I could not get these, So for me a disappointment, however the trip was great and on any other day would have been perfect.
Incredible experience! As someone who loves whales and has not had the opportunity to see them before, I was over joyed to have the opportunity to see them. We were given plenty of time to view the animals the boat, and the boar was moved to accommodate the best view and all those on the boat. We were also lucky enough to see all 5, the guide was knowledgeable and friendly and the team onboard were professional and experienced. Well organised and stunning location.
Dear Charlotte Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that your first whale-watching experience was such a memorable one — and even more special that you were able to see all of the Marine Big 5. Our crew will be delighted to know that you appreciated their knowledge, professionalism, and the care taken to give everyone the best possible views. It’s fantastic to hear that the organisation and the beauty of our location also added to your experience. Thank you for choosing Marine Dynamics, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future!
The staff were all very friendly and knowledgeable. However, I recommend that you read the fine print since pick up at the hotel was much earlier than what was on the website. The driver picked me up at 4:55 am. I thought it was a 9 am departure. Because of my jet lag and time difference, I wouldn’t have booked a trip this early.
Hi Vacation554316, Thank you for your feedback and for joining us on a Marine Dynamics tour. We’re glad to hear that you found our team friendly and knowledgeable — providing safe, professional, conservation-focused experiences is at the heart of what we do. Regarding the early pick-up time, we completely understand how difficult travel fatigue and jet lag can be. However, for all our trips, pick-up times are always confirmed the day before, as stated in the booking information. This is because we work strictly with weather and sea conditions, which can change quickly. On some days — including the one you joined — only early departures are possible for safety. Your safety will always come before schedule convenience. We wish the rating had reflected the full experience, including the sightings and our extensive conservation work, rather than only the challenge of the early start, but we appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. We hope the rest of your stay in South Africa was wonderful, and perhaps we’ll have the chance to welcome you back under more ideal conditions. Warm regards, The Marine Dynamics Team
A 04.30 pickup from our Cape Town accommodation was worth it, for the wildlife we saw, Marine Dynamics' professionalism, and a late afternoon return to Cape Town. (I'd booked us on the 1st trip of the day.) The drive took almost 3 hours, and seeing more of South Africa's countryside, small towns and coastline was a bonus. Arriving at MD's base in Gansbaai, we had time for complimentary tea/coffees/ht chocolate and biscuits, and an introductory video - what to expect, safety, etc. Then, life vests on and ponchos too. Seating on the boat was comfy - padded seats formed the lids of lockers, in which we put our backpacks, spare clothing, etc. Very useful. Hold onto the boat's rails for safety. Within 10mins of leaving the jetty, we were watching a mother Right Whale with her calf. Frankly I'd have counted the whole day a success just for this. Everyone on board had lots of opportunity for a clear view, with the crew clearly focussed on our safety, and respect for the animals, throughout. After 15min, we moved on...and 10mins later, were watching 2 more Right Whales. Wonderful. From there, off to watch 1,000s of fur seals as they basked on rocks and swam near the boat, dozens of penguins, a Copper shark...and a wet-suited poacher, probably illegally taking abalones from the sea floor of this marine sanctuary - the boat had to change course to avoid running him over! Back on dry land, we relaxed again in the huge MD cafe/bar/seating/shop area, with complimentary home made soup with bread rolls. Spot-on. We'd originally booked this trip for 2 days earlier, but it was postponed due to the poor sea state. For this reason, we always book marine trips at the start of holidays, so we have "back up" days. Also, do dress up warm, as it's usually colder at sea than on land. Eg: knitted bobble hats, not baseball caps. The latter blow off in the wind! While we didn't see all of the "big 5" on fhis trip, (no dolphins), everyone agreed that it had been a huge success. The MD team, both on shore and aboard, were friendly, helpful and full of knowledge and enthusiasm for what they do. Thanks guys. And we visited the local penguin sanctuary too, which was so interesting. Finally, if you go on this, or other similar trips, do ask questions of the wildlife officers. While they do give commentary and info, they k ow so much additional detail, which can really add to the experience. Enjoy!
Dear John, Thank you so much for your incredible and detailed review, and what a pleasure to read! We’re delighted to know that your Marine Big 5 Safari from Cape Town was such a memorable experience. It’s wonderful that the early start was rewarded with Southern Right Whales, Cape Fur Seals, African Penguins, and even a Copper Shark ; the full beauty of the Dyer Island Ecosystem on display! We truly appreciate your kind words about our team’s professionalism, care, and passion for marine wildlife. Our crew and marine biologists love sharing their knowledge, and it’s always special when guests engage and ask questions, as you did. Thank you as well for mentioning the travel logistics and thoughtful tips for future visitors. This’ll be very helpful to others planning their own adventure. It was our pleasure hosting you, and we hope to welcome you back one day for another Marine Big 5 experience (perhaps with dolphins joining in next time!). Warm regards, The Marine Dynamics Team ( Discover. Protect. Educate.)
