Marine Big 5 Safari with transport from Hermanus
Recommended by 96% of travelers
Hermanus, South Africa
- 5 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Embark on a safari cruise in pursuit of the Marine Big 5: dolphins, African penguins, the Cape fur seal, the bronze whaler sharks, and several whale species. Over the course of two hours, you and your group will head out to where your guide knows these animals like to hang out, learning about the marine environment through guided commentary on the way.
- Use of all safety equipment and foul weather gear
- Tea and coffee upon arrival; warm soup and bread post-trip
- Entrance to the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS)
- Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off in Hermanus
What's Included
- Bottled water
- Coffee/tea and muffins on arrival
- Warm soup and bread after the trip
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Inflatable life-jackets and wet weather gear
- Professional guide
- Free visit to our African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS)
- Trip footage available for purchase after the trip
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Please wait for us outside or at the front door of your accommodation. The exact pick-up time will be confirmed 24hours prior to the pick-up. Please note that the tour departure time you select is not your pick-up time, but the actual time the boat leaves.
Itinerary
1
Marine Dynamics - Whale Watching and Marine Big 5 Tours in South Africa
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
2
Great White House Restaurant - Gansbaai
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
3
African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- 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.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 45 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.8
based on 79 reviews
GRAHAM_S, Feb 2026
Well organised trip , good pickup from the hotel. The penguin sanctuary is smaller than expected and only a brief stop off but their work is interesting. The highlights of our safari was seeing sharks and dolphins. U fortunately we did not see whales , but we were out of season. Food provided was a bowl of soup, not great but given we did not expect anything quite acceptable. The staff were knowledgeable and informative
Sue_M, Nov 2025
A really excellent trip,great organisation, safely managed,amazing wildlife ,we saw all of the big 5 ,would recommend
Sona_M, Apr 2025
This is a must do! It was awesome. The tour operators are very kind and always attentive to your needs in addition to taking utmost care to spot the big 5. Unmissable and can be filled with memories
Andy_N, Jan 2025
A fantastic experience from start to finish. We were picked up from our hotel and transferred to the location where coffee and muffins awaited. Following a full safety brief we boarded the boat. Despite it being out of the main whale season we were lucky enough to spot and follow one to complete our marine big 5. The team were friendly and helpful but always focussed on safety. An excellent tour!
Mandy_W, Aug 2024
Fantastic trip, we had a great time. Staff were really good. We managed to see whales, shark and seals. It was a little choppy but that just made it more fun
Suzi_B, Aug 2024
Due to weather forecast we had a very early start, got picked up about 6.00am then were in bus for about 90 mins gathering other guests and travelling to harbour. Fast and good size boat for number of passengers, crew were excellent, particularly with passengers suffering with the choppy conditions. Got to see southern right whale mother and calf up close, including the mother breaching the water. Visited a huge seal colony, saw lots of sea birds, not any shark sightings, some other whales in distance. Overall a good tour, but what you need a bit of luck to get good close sightings.
Lynn_O, Oct 2023
We were really lucky with the weather & had a beautiful sunny trip. We saw whales, a penguin at sea, seals & the biologists on board were more than happy to share their knowledge. Very friendly crew keen to ensure everyone had a safe & enjoyable trip. It was African Penguin day & there was a short presentation, passionately delivered, about how endangered this lovely little creature is. Just be aware they operate out of Gansbai so there is a 35-40 min transfer from Hermanus. Would definitely recommend this trip...
Daniel_P, Sep 2023
All the staffing were very nice. Very personable and knowledgeable. The boat was big and comfortable. No inside seating or roof as you are really out in the elements. Very easy and very laidback.
Laurin_W, Jun 2023
friendly marine biologist on board, crew knows the area, everything needed is provided.
Fotos take a little bit long to be online.
You also have to see that your shuttle driver takes you with, at the main house you have to ask the staff where to go, else you might be left there without a shuttle.
Kevin_B, Jun 2023
Had a great time,very well organised,weather misty,they said could have full refund which was unusual,but we all went,sea very rough,saw all things except dolphins,but the two humpbacks which I personally spotted before anyone else was the icing on the cake for me,crew were brill and very informative.would use them again.
Joachim_H, Feb 2023
Information on Viator-Homepage were partially wrong (boat trip is in reality only 2-3 hours; departure from Gansbaii).
But a great onsite-service of the operator saved the day and we had a great time. We are really happy about the accommodating solution.
Stuart_L, Dec 2022
A really well run trip. The crew did everything possible to ensure we saw the Big 5. The boat was not too crowded so everyone got a good view and had plenty of photo opportunities. A very professional set up and we were so pleased we took this trip
Aneesa_S, Sep 2020
This was truly an awesome experience - a True Sea safari in every sense of the word. The crew was knowledgeable and did their best to ensure every person got to experience the best of animals that we were able to view. We were blessed with a very obliging southern right whale as well who seemed to acknowledge our presence positively. Over and above that, their love for the environment and the animals that we saw was tangible. A great all round experience that I would definitely recommend to anyone who has a love for the outdoors and wildlife
virginie_m, Oct 2024
Très bon accueil et nous avons eu la chance de voir requins, otaries, et une baleine et son bébé .
Le programme est parfait avec la collation, la petite soupe , très sympa. Accueil et explications au top
From $199.26
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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