Marine Wildlife Tour from the V&A Waterfront

Highlights

• Marvel at the amazing sea life of Table Bay aboard a hydrofoil boat designed for wildlife viewing.
• Get views of the majestic Table Mountain and Robben Island from the water during your eco-cruise.
• See pods of dolphins breaching up close and watch their acrobatic displays in their natural surroundings.
• Encounter humpback and southern right whales depending on the season, with best viewing from June to November.
• Watch Cape fur seals lounging on jetties and get close to unusual species such as sunfish.
• Observe African penguins diving for fish and learn about their breeding colony on Robben Island.

Tour Overview

This 1.5 hour eco-cruise offers an opportunity to encounter the rich wildlife of Cape Town's bay ecosystem, making it ideal if you want to see marine animals in their natural surroundings while learning about the local marine environment. The tour departs from the V&A Waterfront and includes pickup and drop-off service from accommodations in Century City, V&A Waterfront or Cape Town City Centre for your convenience.

You board a hydrofoil boat designed for wildlife viewing and set out into Table Bay, searching for marine life in the ecosystem. Your guide provides commentary about the species you encounter and the importance of the bay ecosystem. The boat is fast and maneuverable, allowing you to reach areas where marine life is active and get close to animals while respecting their natural behavior.

During the cruise, you may see humpback and southern right whales depending on the season, with the best time for southern right whales being from June to November. You watch pods of dolphins breaching close to the boat and marvel at their acrobatic displays. You encounter Cape fur seals lounging on jetties, get close to unusual species such as sunfish, and watch African penguins diving for fish. You also see various seabirds including terns, gannets, cormorants and black-browed albatross. Throughout the tour, you enjoy views of Table Mountain and Robben Island from the water. The tour concludes with a return to the V&A Waterfront, where you disembark and are transferred back to your accommodation.

Typical Itinerary

1. Hotel pickup - Meet your driver at your accommodation in Century City, V&A Waterfront or Cape Town City Centre. Pickup is included if you select this option, and you will be notified of pickup times when you book.
2. Van transfer to V&A Waterfront - Travel by van for approximately 15 minutes to the V&A Waterfront, where the boat tour departs.
3. Arrival at V&A Waterfront - Arrive at the V&A Waterfront and check in for your marine wildlife eco-cruise. You have time to use facilities before boarding.
4. Boarding the hydrofoil - Board the hydrofoil boat designed for wildlife viewing and find a comfortable spot for observing marine life.
5. Departure from V&A Waterfront - The boat departs from the V&A Waterfront and enters Table Bay, beginning your eco-cruise search for marine wildlife.
6. Marine wildlife search begins - Your guide and skipper search for marine life in the Table Bay ecosystem, using their knowledge of where animals are likely to be found.
7. Dolphin encounters - When dolphins are spotted, the boat approaches carefully and you watch pods breaching close to the boat and performing acrobatic displays.
8. Whale viewing - Search for humpback and southern right whales depending on the season. The best time for southern right whales is from June to November.
9. Seal and penguin viewing - Observe Cape fur seals lounging on jetties and watch African penguins diving for fish, learning about their breeding colony on Robben Island.
10. Seabird encounters - Encounter various seabirds including terns, gannets, cormorants and black-browed albatross as you cruise through Table Bay.
11. Landmark viewing - Enjoy views of Table Mountain and Robben Island from the water while searching for marine wildlife.
12. Return to V&A Waterfront - Begin the return journey to the V&A Waterfront, continuing to search for wildlife along the way.
13. Disembarkation - Disembark at the V&A Waterfront and meet your driver for the return transfer to your accommodation.
14. Return transfer - Board the van for the return journey to your accommodation in Century City, V&A Waterfront or Cape Town City Centre.

The exact route and wildlife encounters vary depending on marine life activity, weather conditions and sea state. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed as animals are in their natural habitat, but your guide and skipper will do their best to locate marine life during the tour. The tour is weather dependent, and you will be informed of any changes one day prior to your tour. The hydrofoil boat is fast and you may get splashed if you sit at the front, especially if winds are strong. The boat is designed to get close to wildlife while respecting their natural behavior.

What's Included

• 1.5 hour eco-cruise boat tour on Table Bay departing from and returning to the V&A Waterfront.
• Pickup and drop-off service from accommodations in Century City, V&A Waterfront or Cape Town City Centre, if option selected.
• Hydrofoil boat designed for wildlife viewing with fast and maneuverable capabilities.
• English speaking guide providing commentary about marine wildlife and the Table Bay ecosystem.
• Opportunity to see dolphins, whales, seals, penguins, sunfish and various seabirds in their natural surroundings.
• Views of Table Mountain and Robben Island from the water during your eco-cruise.

Not Included

• Meals and drinks, which are not provided during the tour.
• Personal items such as sunglasses, sun hat and sunscreen.
• Tips for the guide and crew, which are optional and appreciated for good service.
• Extended pickup service for accommodations outside of Century City, V&A Waterfront or Cape Town City Centre, which may require an additional fee.
• Waterproof camera cases or equipment protection, though cameras are welcome on board.

Accessibility & Practical Info

• This tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, people with heart problems, or wheelchair users due to boat design and the motion of the vessel.
• This tour is suitable for anyone over 2 years of age, making it a family-friendly experience for children.
• Bring sunglasses, sun hat and sunscreen as protection against the South African sun. The boat has both covered and open areas.
• The tour is weather dependent, and you will be informed of any changes one day prior to your tour. Tours may be cancelled if sea conditions are unsafe.
• The best time to see southern right whales is from June to November, though humpback whales may be seen at other times of year.
• Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed as animals are in their natural habitat, but your guide and skipper will do their best to locate marine life during the tour.
• The hydrofoil boat is fast and you may get splashed if you sit at the front, especially if winds are strong. Consider your seating preference when boarding.
• Pets are not allowed on the boat for safety and wildlife protection reasons.
• The boat is designed to get close to wildlife while respecting their natural behavior, ensuring both safety and ethical wildlife viewing.
• This tour is likely to sell out, especially during peak whale watching season from June to November, so advance booking is recommended.