Hermanus Marine Big 5 Sea Safari Day Tour

Hermanus Marine Big 5 Sea Safari Day Tour

Overview:

Day tour from Cape Town taking you south to Hermanus, and one of the most wildlife-rich coastlines in the world. Board a boat and head in search of the Marine Big 5 – whales, dolphins, penguins, fur seals and great white sharks await!


Highlights:

  • An Eco-Marine Sea Safari trip, where you can experience thrilling close encounters with animals all in their natural habitat!
  • Enjoy a visit to the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary in Gansbaai
  • Go to Dyer Island – home to a variety of native seabirds such as the African Penguin
  • Witness thousands of fur seals in Geyser Rock
  • Get a chance to witness the majestic whales up close

Hermanus Marine Big 5 Sea Safari Day Tour

7:00am

Depart Cape Town – we pick up directly from hostels and hotels for safety and comfort. If you are staying in an Airbnb, then just email us to see if we can pick you up from there. Your booking confirmation (ticket – no need to print it off) will show you your exact pick-up time (this will depend on where you are staying.)

9:30am

Arrive in Hermanus – Free time for breakfast and a leisurely stroll around the coastal town.

11:00am - 4:30pm

INCLUDED ACTIVITY

Marine Big 5 Sea Safari – Considered one of THE BEST places in the world to witness the “Marine Big 5“, board the 2.5 hour sea safari for the opportunity to see whales, dolphins, penguins, seals and great white sharks all in their natural habitat!

(Boats depart from the nearby Gansbaai, located 30 minutes from Hermanus. Transfers included.)

Tour itinerary

11:00am – Pick up and transfer to the nearby launch-site for your marine safari!

11:30am – Arrival to Gansbaai. Pre-trip introduction and safety briefing. Coffee/tea & muffins (included).

12:30pm – Launch time

12:30pm – 3:00pm – Marine Big 5 Sea Safari which includes:

  • Dyer Island – a protected island dedicated to the conservation of its many resident bird species, including endangered African Penguins.
  • Geyser Rock – home to thousands of Cape fur seals all year around.
  • Shark Alley – the nickname given to the stretch of sea between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock.
  • Whale hot spots – with over a decade of experience our local operator and onboard marine biologist will navigate your sea safari to optimize the chances of whale sightings.

3:00pm – 4:00pm – De-briefing and light lunch (included)

4:00pm – Transfer back to Hermanus

4:30pm – Arrive back in Hermanus

4:30pm – 6:00pm

Free time in Hermanus to explore the Tourist Market and have dinner at one of the local restaurants (dinner not included).

6:00pm

Depart from Hermanus - Sit back and relax on the journey back to Cape Town

8:00pm

Arrival in Cape Town – We will drop you off at your accommodation once we arrive, guaranteeing convenience and comfort after a fun day out in nature!


What’s Included

  • Private touristic bus transport
    • Hotel pick ups and drop offs
    • Onboard bilingual Hop guide
  • Muffins & coffee/tea on arrival
  • Return shuttle transfer from Hermanus to boat departure point
  • Life jacket and waterproof jacket
  • A visit to the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary
  • Comprehensive safety and conservation briefing by a marine biologist
  • Conservation fee, R35
  • Light lunch (January – May) & Soup and freshly baked bread (June – December)

Not Included

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

What to wear:

  • Bathing costume
  • Warm clothing (it is cold on the water when the wind blows)
  • Trainers/sneakers
  • Wind breaker

What to bring:

  • Camera
  • Sunblock
  • Swimwear
  • Anti-Nausea medication (should sea-sickness be a concern-recommend that it is taken the night before and two hours prior to the trip)

You might have some questions about our service and of course South Africa itself. Our FAQs are aimed at helping you with any questions you may have.

Just click on any question and get the answer straight away!

As well as an unbeatable safety record, Bazbus is also famous for its punctuality and comfort. In Africa, where things often run later than scheduled, we are very proud to say we achieve a 98.5% on-time arrival for each trip.

If comparing Bazbus to other bus companies, check their safety record, past accidents, and their Tripadvisor page (if they even bother to have one) as often you will find there is a reason why some bus companies have “lower” prices than Bazbus.

Features Of Our Buses

  • 16 comfortable seats: All with sponge foam pads for added comfort.
  • High-tech temperature-controlled air system: We ensure it is never too hot or too cold.
  • Highest quality brake and suspension system: To ensure that every passenger has a smooth and seamless journey.
  • GPS monitoring system: Allows us to track our buses every step of the way and monitor driver velocity.
  • USB ports on every seat: Charge your phone or any device throughout your trip.

All trips are weather and tide dependent and launch times may vary accordingly from those stated

Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed; however, the team will do everything possible to show you as many of the Marine Big 5 as possible.


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