More about Marine Big 5 Tour - Hermanus

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.

The boat, Dream Catcher, is the first boat in South Africa to be designed specifically for whale watching. It is extremely comfortable and spacious, with on board toilets, an observation deck for photography enthusiasts, PA system and even a hydrophone! Dream Catcher is 14m long and complies with all the safety regulations set out by the marine authorities.

Once you have arrived at The Great White House, you will receive a brief introductory talk about the route, safety, and what to look out for. Passengers are fitted with comfortable life-jackets and waterproof jackets. Safety is of the utmost importance.

Whale Watching Trip length is between 2 and 2.5 hours, depending on sightings and weather conditions. All cruises depart from Kleinbaai harbour near Gansbaai. Dyer Island is located 8 km from shore and is an access controlled Important Bird Area (IBA) for the conservation of its many resident bird species, including African penguins. Adjacent to Dyer Island is Geyser Rock, home to a 60,000 strong Cape fur seal colony. These seals are present all year round. We will take you into the channel of water between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock known as the world famous ‘Shark Alley’. We will then take you to the whale hot-spots in the bay. With over a decade of experience, not only do we know where to expect the best whale viewings, but the whales have also learned where to expect us!

We pride ourselves on being both fun and educational. Each trip is led by experienced marine biologists and guides who will share their knowledge with you, keeping emphasis on the welfare and conservation of the animal. Responsible tourism is our main objective so we focus on conservation, education, community upliftment and safety.

The boat is surveyed annually by the SA Maritime Safety Authority, conforms to its specifications and is licensed and fully insured for 50 passengers and 6 crew. Safety equipment includes first aid kit, radio and cellular phone. All clients have to sign an indemnity form on arrival before they can ride, no sign no ride. Kids under 5 years old is free of charge.

What people say

The tour was well organized and the crew kind and prepared. Unfortunately, we saw only 3 out of the...  -  Deborah Piccinno, Alice Elvira Bianchetti, Valeria LottiI.