Cape Town is famous for having one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the world. While you may know South Africa’s iconic Big 5, Cape Town’s waters are home to a marine counterpart that is just as impressive. Our Marine Big Five are whales, sharks, penguins, dolphins, and seals. Cape Town’s marine life tours provide fascinating opportunities to glimpse all these creatures, whether you want to admire the animals from the comfort of a yacht or dive in alongside them.
Table of Contents
The list below is in no particular order. Each entry is equally celebrated for their achievements, and the sequence of names is arbitrary, not indicating any ranking or preference.
Whale Watching in Hermanus 🐳
Cape Town is one of the best whale-watching destinations worldwide. While migrating, southern right and humpback whales visit Cape Town’s south coast annually. Hermanus, a southern coastal town, celebrates this yearly with its annual whale festival in September. There are various locations for whale viewing here, whether on land or by boat.
Whale Hermanus takes travellers on whale-watching tours between June and December (prime whale time!) to view their population of Southern Right Whales. But, when southern right whale season is over, their summer cruises offer ample opportunity to glimpse Bryde’s whales, dolphins, and Cape fur seals! These tours take off from Kleinsbaai, Gansbaai, and Hermanus and are around 2 hours.
Price: R1320 to R1950
Website:https://www.whalehermanus.com/
Contact: 072 062 8500
Ocean Wonder Wildlife Encounter 🐬
Ocean Wonder takes you on a Table Bay adventure showing the natural diversity of Cape Town’s waters. Chumming is not recommended in most marine boat tours, so you’ll get to see the natural behaviour of aquatic animals. Ocean Wonder specialises in small-group tours, ensuring an intimate experience, especially with their expert guides. Their skipper and marine specialists will provide lesser-known facts about the animals and Cape Town landmarks.
Penguin and cape fur seal sightings are almost guaranteed, but there is always a chance to catch a glimpse of dolphins, whales, and sunfish! The tour is 2 hours long, and the team will provide refreshments. We recommend bringing a windbreaker, some of your own snacks, and binoculars!
Price: R1400
Address: Haul Rd, Green Point, Cape Town
Website:https://www.oceanwonder.co.za/
Contact: 021 426 8204
Shark Cage Diving Tour in Gansbaai 🦈
Cape Town’s sharks are a common sight, particularly around Gansbaai, a world-famous destination for great white sharks. Marine Dynamics is an ocean wildlife tour agency focusing on eco-tourism and conservation, which is especially helpful as great whites are an endangered species. This tour agency offers some of Cape Town’s best shark diving experiences.
The trip begins at Dynamics’ Great White House, where you will be registered and wetsuit-ed up! The tour provides all necessary gear alongside an in-depth safety briefing. On the boat ride to Shark Alley, their onboard marine biologist will provide fun facts and highlight other aquatic life. The cage will be anchored for about 2-3 hours, giving ample time for a face-to-face experience with these apex predators! Marine Dynamics deeply appreciates Gansbaai’s great white sharks; you will, too, after this tour!
Price: R1900 to R3050 per adult || R935 to R1730 per child
Address: 5 Geelbek Street, Kleinbaai, Gansbaai
Website:https://sharkwatchsa.com/
Contact: 082 380 3405
Animal Ocean Safari in Hout Bay 🐙
Kelp forests are unique underwater ecosystems that shelter diverse fish species and can be found dotted along Cape Town’s southeastern coastline. Locals refer to these forests as the Great African Sea forest, as seen in Netflix’s hit documentary My Octopus Teacher. If you want a face-to-face experience with this ecosystem and all its unique marine inhabitants, Animal Ocean’s safari gives you the opportunity.
This Cape Town marine life tour begins in Hout Bay and lasts four hours. It includes many oceanic highlights, from seal interactions to snorkelling adventures. Although the focus is on seals and fish species, you may also see dolphins, penguins, and whales. Snorkelling is optional and allows you to view the kelp forest and explore a shipwreck site.
Price: R2500
Address: 41 Victoria Ave, Hout Bay, Cape Town
Website:https://www.animalocean.co.za/ocean-safari
Contact: 072 296 9132
Kayak with Penguins in Simon’s Town 🐧
Cape Town’s beloved colony of African penguins is a highlight of the city’s marine life. One of the best places to see these furry creatures is Boulder’s Beach in Simon’s Town. This colony is one of the few in the world of land-based penguins! While observing the penguins on the beach, you can float alongside these ocean animals on Simon’s Town’s kayaking tours.
Kayak Cape Town’s marine life tours are for kayakers of all skill levels, even absolute beginners. The guided 2-hour trip takes off from Simon’s Town Jetty and traverses the town’s coast, providing a lovely view of its landmarks. You’re almost guaranteed to see African penguins gliding over the waters or playing about the boulders near the beachfront. This tour is an adventurous Cape Town marine life tour that will definitely provide unforgettable memories.
Price: R400 to R450
Address: Simons Town Jetty, Wharf St, Simon’s Town, Cape Town
Website:https://kayakcapetown.co.za/
Contact: 065 707 4444
Marine Big 5 Ocean Safari with Luxury Yacht Charters ⛵
Luxury Yacht Charters offers an unparalleled catamaran journey if you want to tour Cape Town’s marine life in style and comfort. The catamaran departs from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and takes you along the Atlantic coastline for 1.5 hours. Their expert guides will point out whales, dolphins, seals, penguins, and the elusive sunfish.
The route is the professional skipper will chart the best possible course to see as many marine creatures as possible. Luxury Yacht Charters provide binoculars, dry snacks, hot drinks, and bottled water in their packages. There is also an onboard bar offering a wide array of beverages! Please note that due to Cape Town weather’s unpredictability, the tour agency recommends maintaining flexibility as sea conditions vary.
Price: R1000
Luxury Yacht Charters, Departure Time: 10.45 am
Address: V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Website:https://luxuryyachtcharters.co.za/marine-big-5-ocean-safari-tour
Contact: 081 433 4041
Whales & Wine Tour with Explore Sideways 🍷
Explore Sideways offers a relaxing and luxurious whale-watching tour that includes a stop at the highly acclaimed Hemel en Aarde region for wine tasting. This land-based marine life tour is perfect for travellers who haven’t found their sea legs yet! The Whale & Wine tour is seasonal and only available from June to November.
You will be picked up from your accommodations and driven along the scenic Whale Route, stopping at Gordon’s Bay, Pringle Bay, and Betty’s Bay. Each stop is a well-known land-based whale-watching spot, especially Betty’s Bay! Afterwards, you can take a stroll through the charming coastal town of Hermanus. Your tour will conclude with visits to two boutique wineries specialising in chardonnay and pinot noir for tailored wine tastings.
Price: Available upon request
Explore Sideways, Tour Times: 8.30 am to 5.30 pm
Website:https://exploresideways.com/tour/whales-and-wine/
Contact: 079 607 1978
Two Oceans Aquarium 🐠
A Cape Town trip is incomplete without a visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium. Located at the V&A Waterfront, the aquarium offers a variety of exhibits and experiences that teach visitors about Cape Town’s marine life. Although technically not a tour, the aquarium has over 8,000 aquatic animals, including predators, penguins, and ocean exhibits.
The Penguin Experience is a popular choice among visitors. It offers a chance to meet the aquarium’s rockhopper penguins face-to-face. If you’re feeling peckish, the on-site eateries and snack stops provide ample meal options, from refreshments to filling lunches. Two Oceans offers an accessible marine life experience for those who are squeamish on the sea or require disability access.
Price: R115 to R250
Two Oceans Aquarium, Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 6 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 9 am to 6 pm
Address: Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Website:https://www.aquarium.co.za/
Contact: 021 418 3823
Take a Dip with Pisces Divers 🐟
Cape Town is a popular spot for scuba diving, with some of the most exciting marine life interactions in store. Pisces Divers offers many 5-star scuba diving tours that cater to all your marine life curiosities. Here are our top 3 recommendations:
- Cape Point Safari: This non-scuba tour takes you from Simon’s Town harbour to Cape Point, Roman Rock Lighthouse, and Boulders Beach. It includes a light lunch and an optional kelp forest snorkelling experience.
- Pelagic Shark Dive: Blue and mako sharks are calm and curious creatures, and you can swim alongside them with this snorkelling marine life tour! Scuba dives are done upon request if you feel up for it. Snacks and refreshments are provided. (Dive certification required)
- Reef & Kelp Forest Dive: This two-dive package takes you close to Cape Town’s reefs and within the Great African Sea Forests. It is perfect if you’re looking to see the Cape’s colourful and vibrant marine life.
Price: R2100 to R3950
Address: 1 Main Road, Simon’s Town, Cape Town
Website:https://piscesdivers.co.za/
Contact: 083 231 0240
Cape Town’s marine life tours offer an adventure showcasing the city’s remarkable biodiversity and great opportunities to engage with nature. From whale-watching to shark cage diving, every activity gives you an unforgettable encounter. These tours cater to all preferences, from thrilling to serene experiences! No matter your choice, Cape Town’s marine tours will give you what you’re looking for!
