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.
Tour Options
Start Times
Itinerary
Pass by
Besides the amazing animals that we encounter, it’s a really fun boat ride in an incredibly beautiful environment. The views of Table Mountain and Robben Island are amazing too.
120 min
No fixed route. We're guided by ocean and weather conditions, and local knowledge about where we might find the best wildlife.
What's included
Included
2 Hour Ocean Wildlife Encounter, on an exhilarating boat, with professional guide and Skipper
Not included
Coffee and/or Tea
Traveller Ratings
5.0
382 reviews
5
376
4
5
3
1
2
0
1
0
Important Information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Maximum weight per traveler is 120kg
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Ocean Wildlife Encounter in Cape Town take?
Ocean Wildlife Encounter in Cape Town lasts about 2 hours. The itinerary has 2 stops.
How much does Ocean Wildlife Encounter in Cape Town cost?
Prices start at $98 per person for this Cape Town experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel Ocean Wildlife Encounter in Cape Town for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
What languages is Ocean Wildlife Encounter in Cape Town offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 7 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Ocean Wildlife Encounter in Cape Town worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 382 verified reviews; it is run by Ocean Wonder.
Reviews(382)
B
B1816OAsarar
September 11, 2026
Great way to see Cape Town and its animals
Paul was a fantastic guide! He took note of our interests, answered our many questions, and gave us a beautiful and fun boat tour of Cape Town. We saw a ton of dolphins, seals, and penguins! Paul was also extremely knowledgeable and we learned a lot from him about animals and about Cape Town in general. As a bonus, he gave us great recommendations for restaurants and things to do while we are here.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We're so happy to hear you enjoyed the trip with Paul and enjoyed the wildlife encounters.
C
Camper813133
September 2, 2026
Fantastic boating experience !
Fantastic experience with very knowledgeable guide/captain. Learned a lot and saw humpback whales, penguins, jellyfish and a seal catching an octopus ,amongst other great sightings.
Highly recommended
Operator response
Sounds like you had an incredible day with some very special sightings. A seal catching an octopus is definitely a memorable one:) So glad you enjoyed the experience and thanks so much for the great review and recommendation.
S
Sightsee565073
June 2, 2026
Well worth the money
Great experience seeing animals in their natural habitat. Bring a jacket and sunglasses. Guide was excellent, very organized, knowledgeable and engaged.
Operator response
Thank you for your lovely review. We're so pleased you enjoyed the experience and found the guide knowledgeable and engaging. It's important to dress very warm as it does get very cold out the ocean even on a hot day.
A
Aline G
May 21, 2026
Dolphins came to greet us.
Very friendly crew right from the welcome at the harbor 🍀 Safety First 🍀 we were lucky and saw dolphins jumping close to the boat several times. A moment of happiness: It was a great tour with competent explanations 🍀 one learns a lot about the sea and the dolphins 🍀 questions could be answered.
Top 5 stars
Highly recommended
Operator response
Vielen Dank für die wunderbare Bewertung! Wir freuen uns sehr, dass Sie ein so besonderes Erlebnis mit den Delfinen hatten und die Tour mit unserer Crew genossen haben. Wir wissen die 5 Sterne sehr zu schätzen und hoffen, Sie bald wieder bei uns begrüßen zu dürfen.
S
Sally_J
May 16, 2026
Fabulous adventure!!!!
We took this trip on our last day before we went to the airport. It was absolutely amazing and our captain Paul was the best! Very knowledgeable about the ocean life and the birds. We saw a rare albatross and it was extraordinary! Even Paul was excited. That together with the seals, penguins, dolphins, and whales it became the best experience we could ask for.
Operator response
Thank you so much for the lovely feedback and we thrilled to hear you had such a lovely time out with Paul on the water before heading home. Hope to see you again in the future.
R
Road16560156142
April 30, 2026
A must-do in Cape Town!
So glad we did this - was an amazing experience, much better than being on one of the "big" tourist boats. Paul was an absolutely fantastic guide, sharing lots of insights about the animals we encountered.
We had dolphins and seals (and even penguins) all around us, and were fortunate enough to get fairly close to 7 or 8 whales even in late March.
I wouldn't recommend it for younger kids, as it's more of a "rib" style boat, carrying only 7 passengers plus our skipper/guide Paul. However we had lifejackets and I felt safe throughout - riding on seats at the front, and even able to sit on the edge of the boat to see the dolphins playing under the bow. So for 10+ year olds sitting in the middle or the back of the boat I would say fine.
A highlight of our Cape Town trip, and one I'd recommend to anyone going!
Operator response
Thank you for the lovely review and feedback. We’re so happy you enjoyed the experience and I’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to Paul. So wonderful to hear you appreciated the more personal and intimate nature of the trip.
S
Sgdmkh
April 29, 2026
A very nice experience at sea .
We have a great time, we were able to see dolphins, whales, seals, and some other creatures like the moon fish, Paul explained very well, he was careful with the wildlife.
Operator response
Thank you so much and we're thrilled to hear you had a great trip out with Paul and got to experience amazing wildlife, we'll be sure to pass your kind words on.
C
Coastal06731007880
April 28, 2026
Not just an experience...
This ocean safari was something else. You expect nice views and maybe some wildlife... but this went way beyond that. We even saw a whale splashing. And not even in the season. One of those moments where everyone just goes quiet for a second. Pure luck, but also a sign you're in the right place. What made the whole experience click was Paul. Relaxed, no rush, no forced excitement. Just a calm, confident vibe that fits perfectly when you're on holiday and don't want stress. At the same time, his knowledge and passion for sea life really came through. Not in a heavy, lecture kind of way, but in a way that pulls you in. Even our 9 year old daughter was fully engaged the whole time. That says enough. If you're looking for something real, not overhyped, this is it.
Operator response
Thank you so much for this thoughtful review. The quiet moment with the whale sounds truly special, nature always has a way of surprising us.We’re so glad Paul’s calm, knowledgeable approach made the experience feel easy and engaging for your whole family (especially your daughter). Really appreciate you taking the time to share this.
C
Chloe_H
April 10, 2026
Great trip, great...
Great trip, great hosting! Really knowledgeable about wildlife and the boat was fantastic fun, I highly recommend the tour to anyone coming to cape town.
Operator response
Thank you so much Chloe. We’re thrilled you had a great trip out, and enjoyed the experience. Really appreciate the recommendation and hope to see you again soon.
S
Sean R
April 9, 2026
Great way to see Cape Town and its sea life!
Great experience. We weren’t expecting to see Whales given the time of year but we did. Paul was fantastic very knowledgeable and great with the kids.
Operator response
Thank you for the lovely review. We’re so glad you got to see whales, what a special surprise. Paul will really appreciate your kind words.
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