The First Choice Shark Cage Diving Operator For:
Craving an unforgettable adventure? Apex Shark Expeditions facilitates premier whale watching in South Africa, with boat tours from Cape Town and Gansbaai (just 3 hours from Cape Town). From June to November, Southern Right and humpback whales grace our coasts, with Brydes whales spotted year-round. A 2025 Mammal Research Institute (MRI) survey estimates 6,500 Southern Right whales in South African waters, growing 6.5% annually.
Our licensed tours, compliant with the Biodiversity Act, let you witness these gentle giants ethically. Let’s explore!
Cape Town’s unique coastline, flanked by False Bay and Table Bay, is a whale watching hotspot. Southern Right whales migrate here from June to November to breed, with 1,176 recorded in 2024, including 568 mother-calf pairs (MRI, 2025). Humpbacks dazzle from May to December, with the supergroups, (where they gather in large numbers for feeding), typically arrive in Cape Town between November and February, primarily on the west coast between Cape Point and St Helena Bay. Migrating humpbacks may be seen along the Cape coast between October and December, While Bryde’s whales feed in False Bay year-round. Key viewing spots include:
A 2025 Deloitte study notes 70% of tourists prioritize ethical tours. Our Fair Trade-certified trips ensure minimal disturbance, per Threatened Species Regulations.
Our tours showcase South Africa’s marine giants, each with unique traits:
Expect dolphins, Cape fur seals, and African penguins, too, add a shark cage diving encounter, and get the Marine Big 5 experience.
Since 1996, Apex Shark Expeditions has led Cape Town’s marine tours industry with a passion for conservation. Our strengths include:
The Gansbaai base, near De Kelders’ cliffs, offers immediate whale access, unlike crowded Hermanus tours.
Experience the unforgettable spectacle of whale watching in Cape Town, where you can witness these majestic mammals and their annual migratory patterns in some of the best viewing spots along the coast. For thrill-seekers, we also offer Gansbaai shark tours and exhilarating cage shark diving in Cape Town, giving you the chance to come face-to-face with the ocean’s most formidable predators. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the rich marine biodiversity of the kelp forest in Cape Town, a truly unique underwater ecosystem.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Simon’s Town, Hout Bay, Hermanus, Gansbaai |
| Meeting | Time to be confirmed the day before |
| Transfers | Door to door transfers arranged upon request |
| Duration | 2-3 hours at sea |
| Guest Numbers | 20-65 guests maximum |
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Water Visibility | 7 – 65 feet |
| Videographer | No |
| Includes | Light refreshments |
A mere 45 minutes from Cape Town is Simon’s Town, the departure point for the False Bay whale watching trip. False Bay is a calm, sheltered haven for some of these ocean giants from on our planet: Southern Right, Humpback and Brydes whales. Whilst Brydes whales are all-year-round residents, it’s the migratory Southern Right and Humpback whales that are the stars of the whale watching tours. This is because they are naturally curious, offer good surface active and very often display their natural exuberance by lob tailing, sailing and breaching.
Situated on the stunning South Coast of the Western Cape, 90 minutes from Cape Town, Hermanus is famous for its incredible viewings of Southern Right whales that arrive in large numbers to breed, give birth and playfully frolic in the sea. Hermanus should in fact be considered the official home of the Southern Right Whale, since every year during late Sept/early Oct, Hermanus hosts its annual whale festival, which attracts over 150,000 people.
Situated under 3 hours from Cape Town, 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. We will take you into the channel of water between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock known as the world famous ‘Shark Alley’. We will take you to the whale hot-spots 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!
She was custom built by South Africa’s foremost boat builder and every stage of the process was inspected and approved by SAMSA. Passenger safety, comfort, shelter and unobstructed viewing areas are unparalleled.
Our whale watching boat complies with the South African Marine Safety Association (SAMSA) regulations. We are committed to achieving and maintaining a high standard of health and safety both on land and at sea.
Dreamcatcher was the first boat in South Africa to be designed specifically for whale watching. It is extremely comfortable and spacious, with two on-board toilets, observation deck, PA system and even a hydrophone! She complies with all the safety regulations set out by the marine authorities.
Peak whale watching season is June to November, with September–October ideal for Southern Right whale mother-calf pairs. Humpbacks are visible May–February while Bryde’s whales offer year-round sightings. A 2025 MRI report notes summer humpback “super groups” in Table Bay, peaking February–March. Early morning tours when winds are calmer, maximize sightings, per sa-venues.com.
The Southern Right whales usually arrive in June and depart late November. Humpbacks migrate through the region between May to mid-February, while the Brydes whales are found slightly further offshore all year round.
All three areas are most famous for encounters with Southern Right, Humpback whales, and several coastal dolphin species. You can also see African penguins, Cape fur seals, black oystercatcher birds and a variety of other marine life.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| 🐳 Guided Whale Tour | Qualified whale watching guides, specially trained and passionate about sharing knowledge of whales and marine wildlife. |
| 🥐 Light Refreshments | Enjoy light refreshments during your tour. |
| 🧥 Weather Jacket | Weather jackets provided by select operators. |
| What to Bring | Details |
|---|---|
| 🧥 Dress in Layers | It can get very chilly at sea. Bring a warm weather jacket, sneakers or closed shoes, a beanie, and a hat/cap. |
| 🕶️ Polarized Sunglasses | These really help to block the glare, increasing sightings of whales from the boat and protecting from harmful UV rays. |
| 💧 Water Bottle | Stay hydrated during the trip. |
| 💄🧴 Lip-Ice & Sunscreen SPF 50 | The African sun is beautiful but harsh – protect your skin and lips. |
| 📸 Camera / GoPro | Great for stills and video. Bring an extra SD card to capture the adventure. |
| 💊 Motion Sickness Medication | Use Sturgeon or Dramamine – take one the night before and another an hour before the trip. |
| 🚫🍷 Avoid Alcohol | Don’t overindulge the night before to avoid seasickness during the trip. |
Simon’s Town
| Price per Adult | From R 1840.00 | BOOK NOW |
| Price per child (under 12 years of age) | From R 1265.00 |
Hermanus
| Price per Adult | From R 1440.00 | BOOK NOW |
| Price per child | From R 720.00 |
Gansbaai
| Price per Adult | From R 2145.00 | BOOK NOW |
| Price per child | From R 1551.00 | |
| Return Transfers per person ex Cape Town for all locations. | From R 1000.00 |
Wildlife Sightings Cannot Be Guaranteed.
We Will However, Give You Realistic Expectations before Making A Booking.
June to November is peak season for Southern Right and humpback whales, with September–October offering the most mother-calf sightings. Brydes whales are year-round.
Southern Right whales (June–November), humpbacks (May–February), and Bryde’s whales (year-round) are common.
Yes, our licensed tours follow the rules and we use Blue Flag vessels with safety certifications.
Yes, False Bay (Boyes Drive, Simon’s Town) and Table Bay offer great land-based views, especially June–November.
Absolutely. Our Fair Trade-certified tours prioritize whale welfare and support conservation research.
Pack sunscreen, a hat, binoculars, and seasickness medication. Food and drinks are allowed onboard.
Yes, our tours are family-friendly, with safety briefings and life jackets for kids, ensuring a fun, educational experience.
TOMORROW
Tuesday
27 June 2023
Next trip 28 June
11h45
*Trip status updated daily at 16h00 SAST
