SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa's standouts.
A shortlist of the 9 gansbaai tours most worth booking in South Africa, with what each one is like on the day, who runs it, and what it costs.
Cruise Gansbaai’s De Keldar cliffs for Southern right whales, dolphins, sharks, and penguins on a small 2-hour boat ride.
“Friendly welcome from 'Ivanhoes' receptionist, down at Gansbaai Harbour. Faultless experience once on board with crew.”
Half-day Great White cage time in Gansbaai: small group, gear and meals included, 20-minute in-water encounters, hot showers.
“This was horrible- long and far from Cape Town, poor communication, and no one told us that the Great White are no longer coming around the waters they cruise. They did not even put the cage in the water and only 2 sharks came and went. NOT worth the money or the time. The only…”
Watch great white sharks from a purpose-built catamaran, then spend unlimited time in a floating cage with no chumming.
“A lot of sharks were close to the boat. Good helpful staff. We had luck with weather. Sea was calm..”
Cage shark encounter in Gansbaai: see great whites in an 8-person cage, with breakfast, lunch, snacks, and conservation talk.
“This is a great company doing important work. Their staff were professional and informative. Unfortunately, the day we went, visibility underwater was poor, there were maybe 7ft swells (lots of seasickness, I took Dramamine and was still queRead more”
Watch great white sharks from a boat deck in Gansbaai with meals included and a dry, small-group viewing option.
“Una experiencia muy disfrutable, personal muy atento.”
Hookah-fed shark cage sessions in Gansbaai: comfy wetsuits, small groups, and hours under the surface with lunch and snacks.
“The sharks weren't biting (so-to-speak), so we went instead to the seal colony & dipped in the cage with them. The experience was wonderful & the hosts full of information. It was very educational.”
Morning fatbike downhill through Walker Bay dunes in Gansbaai, with ocean views, whale-season moments, guide, and photo-video take-home.
“This was such a fun experience and dave was a great guide. To be on the sand dunes with the ocean view ahead in such a remote area was fantastic. I highly recommend doing this if you are in the area.”
Ride fat bikes at sunset from the mountains into Walker Bay dunes, spot wildlife and whales, then coast to an uncrowded beach with Dave.
“Dave energy is infectious, his knowledge is encyclopedic, and his love of what he does and the product he offers is palpable.”
2-hour Walker Bay Sea Safari from Gansbaai to search for marine Big 5: whales, dolphins, seals, penguins, and marine birds with a marine biologist.
“Exciting tour. Saw whale twice , and many penguins and seals. Very professional and attentive staff.”
