Marine & Wildlife Experiences

Choosing a marine or wildlife experience

The Western Cape has two very different marine systems, and which one you want decides the product. The cold Atlantic side supports kelp forests, seals and the diving and kayaking around Hout Bay and the Atlantic Seaboard. The warmer False Bay and Overberg waters east of Cape Point are where southern right whales calve, roughly between June and November.

Within that, the main groups are whale watching (seasonal, boat-based or from land), shark experiences (cage diving and viewing, almost all operating from Gansbaai or Simon's Town), seal and penguin encounters, sea kayaking, and sailing and harbour cruises, including sunset sailings from the V&A Waterfront.

Two honest caveats. Wildlife is not guaranteed on any given trip, whatever a listing implies, and white shark presence off the Cape has varied considerably in recent years. And everything boat-based is subject to sea conditions - cancellations are common and are a safety decision, not an inconvenience.