Marine Big 5

The Marine Big 5 Live Show!

A cruise on a whale watching boat in Gansbaai is serious business. Show business. Come watch pods of dolphins or whales boisterously cavorting in the surf, enthralling spectators to a whale of a show. Or witness a great white shark in frenetic pursuit of its prey in a spectacular predation just a few metres away.

These captivating thrills await guests of Grootbos Private Nature Reserve on our exclusive whale watching tours in conjunction with Dyer Island Cruises. The boat, aptly named Whale Whisperer, departs every morning from Kleinbaai harbour in pursuit of the Southern Right Whales and the other members of the famous Marine Big Five that thrive in these waters.

Sharks, seals and penguins abound in the strip between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock, also named Shark Alley. This is one of the best shark cage diving spots in the world and one is almost guaranteed to see, at any given time, a few great white sharks at close range. These elegant predators of the ocean predominantly feed on the thousands of Cape fur seals that breed on Geyser Rock.

The sharks remain unperturbed by the boats and curiously circle them. To witness a predation from up close is a rare and riveting experience. The congregation of endangered African penguins and bird species such as the Cape cormorant, Kelp gull, Swift tern and Black Oyster Catcher on the Dyer Island bird sanctuary is another phenomenal sight.

In the open seas, between Pearly Beach and Walker Bay, the friendly bottlenose dolphins can often be seen breaching in the bow wave of a boat. Watching these fun-loving mammals frolic in the surf is any boater's dream. In season, between July and December, the Southern Right Whales dominate the Gansbaai coastline with spectacular displays of breaching, tail-slapping and lob-tailing.

The specially designed Whale Whisperer, with upper deck and toilet facilities, can comfortably accommodate 20 passengers. Specialised guides provide running commentary on every aspect of the trip.