whale watching gansbaai, south africa

whale watching in gansbaai is seasonal from July to November

Whale Watching in Gansbaai is a truly unforgettable experience. Hermanus, the land-based whale watching capital of the world, is part of the Walker Bay Marine Reserve. The coastal town of Gansbaai is part of this reserve and is just a 25-minute drive from Hermanus.

what you need to know

Locals discounted rates apply
International R2145 per adult and R1150 per child
Local R1600 per adult and R800 per child
Kids under 5 years old free
Bottled water, coffee, te and muffins pre-tours
Soup and bread after tour
Location: Gansbaai

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what will you see whale watching gansbaai?

The three main whale species that visit our shores are Southern Right, Humpback and Bryde’s whales. The Southern Right Whales are the main species that we see every year. The good news is that their numbers seem to be increasing. The bulls are always first to arrive so that they can have the best chances to mate with the arriving females. The main reason for the Southern Right Whales coming to our coast is to mate or to calve. While they are here, they can often be seen breaching and landing back in the water, creating a massive splash. If you are near enough, the splash can clearly be heard. Spyhopping is also very common, with the whale sticking it’s head out above the water to seemingly have a look around. Lobtailing is awesome to experience, with the whale sticking it’s fluke or tail fin out of the water and bringing it down on the surface with a huge splash and a loud slapping noise.

Whale Watching and Eco Marine Tours Gansbaai description

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 onboard toilets, an observation deck for photography enthusiasts, a 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 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 hotspots 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 the emphasis on the welfare and conservation of the animals. 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 a first aid kit, a radio and a 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 are free of charge.

When Is Season: Eco Marine Trips – 01st January to 31st May:: Whale Watching Trips –1st Jun to 31st December. Seven days a week – weather dependent.

At the Great White House, you will receive a brief introductory talk about the route, safety, and what to look out for. We then take a 200-metre stroll down to the harbour to board.

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.

What to Wear: Always bring warm clothing as it is cooler at sea than on land. Comfortable shoes /takkies.

Things to bring: binoculars, camera, warm clothing.

Guests or Spectators: Always bring warm clothing as it is cooler at sea than on land. Please remember to use sunscreen. Please use anti-seasickness medication well in advance if you are prone to motion sickness.

Whale Watching in Gansbaai, South Africa

The Southern Right Whales are so named because they were seen as the right whales to hunt. Their curious and friendly nature made them easy targets. Harpooning was banned in 1937. They are easily distinguished by the callosities that form on their heads. It is where the skin hardens and thickens due to continuous abrasion. The callosities appear white because of large colonies of whale lice that inhabit the hardened skin spots. The whale’s back is very broad and has no dorsal fin. The unique long arching mouth begins just above the eye. These whales feed on krill, very small crustaceans that resemble shrimp.

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The Bryde’s Whale, pronounced “Bruudez”, can be seen here throughout the year. They measure around 13 meters (43 ft) and weigh 12 – 25 tonnes. They belong to the same group as the Humpback Whales and also filter-feed on krill, using baleen plates in the mouth. The body of the whale is very elongated and dark, smoky in colour. A variably sized white patch can be seen on the whale’s throat, with many individuals having a similarly shaped patch. The three ridges that extend from the blowholes to the tip of the mouth are easy to spot. Bryde’s Whales can also be seen breaching and tend to enjoy being at the surface of the water.

GANSBAAI ACCOMMODATION

Benguela Lodge

Benguela Lodge is an intimate, exclusive guesthouse offering air-conditioned accommodation and spectacular views of the ocean.

Need accommodation in Gansbaai? You have a choice of seven impeccably decorated bedrooms. Each bedroom has an en-suite bathroom and private entrance. A three-minute walk takes you to the rocks of what is named the Walker Bay Whale Reserve.

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MOSSEL BAY

Shark species in Mossel Bay include Great White and Hammerhead Sharks

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When visiting Mossel Bay in South Africa’s Garden Route, then cage diving should be at the top of your adventure list! As the weather permits, Mossel Bay’s only operator goes out everyday. Since resuming operations in September 2020, Mossel Bay has recorded fantastic great white shark sightings.

The hottest great white shark sightings in South Africa this year were recorded from Mossel Bay. Great White and Hammerhead Sharks are included in the sightings.

GANSBAAI

Shark species in Gansbaai include Great White and Copper Sharks

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CAPE TOWN

Shark species in Cape Town include Great White, Sevengill, Blue and Mako Sharks

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MOSSEL BAY

Shark species in Mossel Bay include Great White and Hammerhead Sharks

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DURBAN

Shark species in Durban include Oceanic Blacktip and Tiger Sharks

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PORT ELIZABETH

Shark species in Port Elizabeth include Great White Sharks

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      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 232 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Walid Riahi 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had an amazing and truly unforgettable experience! Everything was perfect, the transportation was punctual and very professional, safety was a top priority, and the staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming. And the food was the cherry on top! I highly recommend this experience to everyone!
  
 
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   Xav VillaCan 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Absolutely incredible experience with SharkLady! 🦈 I went cage diving with them yesterday and had such an amazing time that I actually came back and did it again today. That says everything! The whole crew on the boat were fantastic. Super friendly, professional, energetic and genuinely excited about what they do. The management was also great and made the whole experience feel really well organised while still being fun and relaxed. Seeing the sharks up close was obviously the highlight, but honestly, the people made the experience even better. You can tell they really care about the animals, the experience and making sure everyone has an unforgettable day. If you’re thinking about doing cage diving, 100% go with SharkLady. I couldn’t recommend them more. I’m already looking forward to coming back again! 🦈🤙
  
 
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   Daniele Rainone 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Staff competente e gentilissimo, abbiamo avuto la fortuna di vedere tanti squali (soprattutto squali bronzo e una bellissima razza), anche se purtroppo non lo squalo bianco (sembra ormai molto raro in quelle acque). Un consiglio: in gabbia meglio se massimo in 4, in 5 adulti si sta un po' strettini
  
 
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   Dean Lochkovic 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had an awesome time!  Lots of sharks and one giant stingray. Only downside is the Orkas have run off all the great white so just copper left   Still a bucket list checked!
  
 
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   Aaron Smith 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. What an amazing day we drove 4.5 hours from cape town and back, just to see the white sharks and SHARK DIVERS  did not disappoint we saw 2 great whites and they were both beautiful in there habitat, the team were so helpful in organising it, all from diving to the pick up and travel esp last minute were another dive place let us down. Would highly recommend esp this time of year, thank you again SHARK DIVERS YOU MADE MY LIFE LONG DREAM COME TRUE
  
 
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   Alex Hoyt 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had an incredible time on this tour. Janeen made it easy to book and was clearly communicating the plans for us. The skipper Ron and Alan the guide were nice, knowledgeable and made sure we were happy! We were able to see several sharks and get some good up close viewing. You could tell how much everyone cares about these creatures and their safety as well as ours. We loved our time with this group and plan on returning! Mossel Bay is also a very cute town with great food. Cannot recommend enough!
  
 
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   Anastasia Gougoustamos 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Even though we had a long wait and were resigning ourselves to not seeing sharks we got to see 3 different great white sharks! such a thrilling experience!
  
 
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   Zildomar Machado 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a memorable time during the tour!!  The staff, boat, experience in the cage and getting to see a great white shark was simply amazing!!💯👏🫶
  
 
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   Mildret Hlama 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My shark diving experience was absolutely unforgettable! From the moment we set out, the crew made us feel safe, comfortable, and excited for the adventure ahead. The professionalism and attention to detail were outstanding- everything from the safety briefing to the gear was handled with care. Once in the water, the thrill of seeing these magnificent creatures up close was beyond words. Watching sharks glide gracefully right past the cage was both exhilarating and humbling. It’s rare to feel such a powerful connection with nature, and this experience delivered that in the most breathtaking way. I truly appreciated the operator’s focus on conservation and respect for the sharks, which made the trip not only thrilling but also meaningful. This is an adventure I would recommend to anyone seeking a mix of adrenaline, awe and appreciation for marine life. Five stars all the way! I loved every minute of it 🌸.
  
 
  
  
 
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