Marine Big 5 - Local Prices
Gansbaai
Journey through the world-famous channel known as ‘Shark Alley.’ Each excursion is led by seasoned marine biologists and guides, who eagerly share their knowledge. With two decades of experience, we possess an innate awareness of optimal whale sighting locations. Our tours combine enjoyment and education.
Review's
It was absolutely amazing! we went for a penguin tour as well as a whaleboat ride. The baby whale came right up to the boat to inspect us. It was breathtaking! the staff were very friendly and helped us with our 4 children- making sure everyone felt where comfortable and safe at all times. I would definitely recommend them always to everyone! - Johan
I had an awesome day, with very professional and friendly services. Thank you to all who made it possible. - J.
We went on this whale-watching trip on 8th Oct 2024. What a great experience! The crew was so friendly and information was given throughout the trip. We saw whales, sharks, penguins, seals, dolphins and different bird species... all on one trip. For sure something for one's bucket list! - Annelene
Adult R1600 Child R800
Price
Gansbaai
Boat Cruise
On Water & In the Air
Western Cape
Tea and coffee with muffins on arrival Water on board Towels and blankets on board Safety and weather jacket Soup and bread after the trip from June to December Lasagne and salad after the trip from January to May 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.
Activity Description
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 by all members of 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 pick-up/meeting 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 while enjoying some muffins and coffee. We do provide audio visual safety briefings in Italian, French, Russian, Spanish, German, and Portuguese, please do inform us if you would like the briefing in a different language. Guests will then 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, Gansbaai includes various species of seabirds such as albatrosses, petrels, shearwaters, gannets, and terns, these birds are adapted to life at sea and can be seen gliding over the waves, diving for fish, or resting on the water’s surface. 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.
Arrangements
Duration Open Ended
When Year-round, seven days a week – weather dependent. **Southern right whale season is generally mid-June to mid-November.
Where. The Great White House, where you will receive a brief introductory talk about the route, safety, and what to look out for. We then take a 200-meter stroll down to the harbor to board. Tour meeting times are confirmed the day prior after a detailed weather and tide check.
Weather Due to variable weather conditions the trip may not always be possible and is therefore not guaranteed. Time-related itineraries are dependent on tides, weather conditions, and the number of tours scheduled for a particular day. Tour meeting/pick-up times are only confirmed the day prior after a detailed weather and tide check. The tour time slot times are only estimated times and not confirmed times. We will contact you the day prior. Please ensure you receive your message with your pickup time and the correct address.
What to Wear Always bring warm clothing as it is cooler at sea than on land. Comfortable closed shoes are advised.
Things to Bring Binoculars, camera, warm clothing, sunscreen.
Guests or SpectatorsAll passengers on board are charged, except for children under 5 years old. Please use anti-seasick medication well in advance if you are prone to motion sickness. We are not authorized to provide medication on-site.
Requirements
Minimum Age 0 years
Minimum Height 0.0 m
Maximum Height 0.0 m
Fitness Level No Fitness Requirement
Qualifications Not Applicable
Maximum Weight 0.0 kg
Certification None Required
Experience Level No Experience Requirement
Inclusions and Exclusions
Inclusions
Boat Trip
ExclusionsExtra beverages and snacks.
Notes
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.
A 10% non-refundable admin fee will be charged for every booking cancelled less than 30 days before your trip. In case of a natural disaster, flood, volcano, earthquake, hurricane, virus infections or any other natural disaster, trips can be extended with no extra charge. If not extended and cancelled, the 10% admin fee will be applicable. *This fee will be debited on the day of the trip if the above applies. A Gift Voucher is valid for three years from the date purchased. A Gift Voucher is non-refundable. A Gift Voucher is transferable. You will receive a Gift Voucher confirmation with a Voucher Code. This code is only active once full payment is received. **Please note that a purchased Gift Voucher is not an active booking in our system. Use the Gift Voucher code to make a booking on the Marine Dynamics website via the Online Booking system. Special note for third-party bookings: If a Gift Voucher is booked by an Agent/establishment on behalf of their client, a payment link will be forwarded to the Agent/establishment. This link should be sent to the client for payment, to activate the voucher code. The client can use the voucher code to make an online booking via the Marine Dynamics website. The commission will be paid once we receive full payment. Epilepsy/ Seizures, Asthma, High Blood Pressure/ Heart conditions, Diabetes, Other? Please inform our reservations team, so we can take good care of you. 5 Geelbek Street, Gansbaai, Van Dyks Bay, 7220. Please note extra parking at the back of the Great White House. Please allow enough time for transport from Cape Town (3 hours) and Hermanus (1 hour) when travelling to Gansbaai. Please be aware that there are road works en route and waiting times are included in the above travelling times.
Service Terms and Conditions
PAYMENT TERMS & CONDITIONS:
A 100% deposit or upfront credit card payment will confirm all bookings. No booking can be confirmed without the required proof of payment or credit card authorization. We accept all legal tender for payments.
Payments can be made online when making a reservation. Telephonic reservations will require the completion of a credit card authorization form to secure booking.
A child of 12 years and older will automatically be regarded as an adult and charged the full adult rate for all services. Children under 12 years of age will qualify for the lower advertised rate.
Price is inclusive of Value Added Tax. The exchange rate is calculated daily and therefore is subject to fluctuations.
REFUND POLICY:
We encourage advance bookings based on demand. Our cancellation policy is as below:
● No shows and cancellations within 7 days of departure – 100% cancellation fee
A full refund will be considered on merit, by management, in the event of illness, hospitalization, accident or death, upon receipt of proof thereof.
A full refund will be granted should the activity be cancelled in the interest of safety, prior to the trip.
In the event that there is no shark activity while on a shark cage diving tour with Marine Dynamics, then a voucher will be offered. This voucher is not transferable – your name and passport number will be recorded on the voucher. If a shark has been sighted from the boat, we will consider that a successful trip. The vehicle transfer fee is non-refundable.
GIFT VOUCHERS:
A Gift Voucher is bought at the rate of your date of purchase.
The vehicle transfer fee is non-refundable.
CONSERVATION & EDUCATION:
We can guarantee a marine biologist on board who will educate you on our favourite apex predator and other shark species seen.
Remember that YOUR CHOICE MAKES A DIFFERENCE and you can be assured that by booking with us you are assisting in the research and conservation of the Great White shark.
WEATHER:
Our trips are weather-dependent, and times can vary. We will confirm the time you need to be with us the afternoon prior to your trip once we have done a detailed weather check. Should sea and weather conditions unexpectedly change while at sea, it may affect your time to dive in the cage (this would be unusual as our team does regular weather checks).
MEDICAL CONDITIONS:
Do you have any of the following medical conditions our crew should be aware of?
LIABILITY:
Guests must sign an indemnity form prior to the activity thereby acknowledging that the activity is undertaken at own risk. Any unaccompanied minor (under 18 years of age) requires the indemnity to be signed by a parent/legal guardian prior to the activity.
Our indemnity reads as follows: I am aware that cage diving, shark diving and boating are potentially hazardous activities, and I am voluntarily participating in these activities with knowledge of the danger involved and hereby agree to accept all the risks of injury or death. I further understand that by signing this document, I am releasing any claims I have against Marine Dynamics Tours (Pty) Ltd, or any other person employed or otherwise associated with them, from liability, property damage and or wrongful death arising from the boating or diving activities that I wish to engage in. I understand that I am responsible for my participation in the boating and or diving activities engage in. I understand that if there is no shark activity while on a shark cage diving tour with Marine Dynamics, then a voucher will be offered. This voucher is not transferable – your name and passport number will be recorded on the voucher.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
WHERE TO FIND US:
Venue: The Great White House Restaurant & Accommodation
TO BRING:
Sunscreen, bathing costume, comfortable closed shoes, warm clothing – it can be chilly at sea. Please take your SEA SICKNESS pills the night before and again two hours prior to the trip. We are legally not allowed to sell any medication.
GENERAL:
All trips are subject to weather conditions and times may vary accordingly. Upon the confirmation of any booking, it shall be regarded that the client has read and accepted all the terms and conditions contained herein.
All terms and conditions are subject to South African Law & Jurisdiction.
A STARRING ROLE - PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL:
We take photographs, films and videos (including in electronic format) of our guests during the excursion, and may use such photographic, film and video material for the purpose of any advertising or brochure productions, which the client irrevocably gives his consent thereto, and without any consideration being payable to the client.
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