Marine Big 5 Safari: Self-Drive around Dyer Island to encounter diverse marine wildlife

Embark on a thrilling self-drive safari around Dyer Island to witness the incredible Marine Big 5. Encounter whales, sharks, seals, penguins, and dolphins in their natural habitat.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Dyer Island Cruises - You will arrive at The Great White House where we a restaurant, bathroom facilities and curio shop are situated.
    Upon arrival tea, coffee and muffins will be served.
    In the conservation and education room, you will receive an in-depth briefing regarding the area that you’ll be operating in, as well as conservation work and…
What's Included
  • Professional guide
  • Coffee/tea and muffins on arrival
  • Bottled water
  • Inflatable life-jackets and wet weather gear
  • Warm soup and bread after trip
  • Free visit to our African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS)
What's Not Included
  • Trip footage available for purchase after the trip
  • Transportation to/from attractions
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information

We operate from Gansbaai around the world-famous Dyer Island where you might be so fortunate to see the Marine Big 5
– the Southern Right Whale/Humpback/Bryde’s Whales, various shark species, the Cape fur seal (around 60,000 on Geyser Rock), the endangered African Penguin and various visiting dolphin species. The area is also home to a wide variety of…

Location
Great White House Restaurant - Gansbaai
Geelbek Street
Travellers to meet us at the Great White House, Gansbaai, Geelbek Street, Van Dyks Bay, South Afica
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(94 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Sebastian
Nov 15, 2025
Great tour! - We really enjoyed this tour. Very knowledgeable and friendly staff, easy booking system, safety and wellbeing of all participants was always at very high level, tea/coffee+muffins before and soup/bread after the tour was a very nice touch. Full marks from us!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
677savef
Nov 13, 2025
ABSOLUTLEY INCREDIBLE! - From start to finish, the entire experience with Marine Dynamics was nothing short of exceptional. From the warm and informative introduction to the moment we stepped off the boat, everything was handled with the utmost professionalism, care, and passion for marine conservation. The guides were outstanding — knowledgeable, engaging, and deeply respectful of both the ocean and its incredible wildlife. They made sure we understood not only what we were seeing but also the importance of protecting these species and their environment. Every safety measure was explained clearly, and I felt completely at ease throughout the tour — a true testament to their experience and dedication. Seeing the Marine Big 5 up close was absolutely breathtaking — an unforgettable reminder of the beauty and power of nature. I walked away feeling inspired, educated, and beyond grateful to have shared in such a meaningful experience.
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Adrians521
Nov 13, 2025
Fantastic marine safari - Fantastic trip with knowledgeable guides. Not too many people and all got great views of the big five marine creatures. We were lucky it was a perfect day weather wise but still needed warm layers, especially for the fast sections bouncing over the waves! One tip: we took anti sickness tablets beforehand and I think that helped! Soup a lovely touch on our return to warm us through
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alessandram862
Nov 5, 2025
Great experience for a great cause. - We had a great day. Yes we were very lucky and the weather/wind/swell were optimal, and we managed to see the big 5 even if the whales were already migrating south. We saw three pairs! What I am most impressed of is the background of this organisation. We stopped briefly as the crew recovered a pillow from the sea and if you ask question you will hear about all the care and effort they put into saving the endangered penguins. Sonia was sooooo knowledgeable. I wish I had more time to ask her questions and everything was fascinating. So yes - i was lucky and ecstatic I did manage to see the big 5 but hats off to all the rest that does into the background as well. My husband could not come last minute and I was still very happy as I know the money of the lost ticket will go to a good cause. Only two comments: do not arrive too early as it still takes a lot of time to get on the boat. Do not count on the refreshments .
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Adventure49134175808
Oct 24, 2025
A great way to see the beauty and importance of these special marine creatures. - My mother and I had the most incredible experience on the Marine Big 5 tour. All the staff were beyond friendly and made the tour super enjoyable. We were lucky enough to see all the marine big 5. The skipper and staff ensured we all got sufficient time to observe and photograph all of the beautiful animals. I must make special mention to the incredible conservation work that Marine Dynamics does to ensure the protection and awareness of these precious animals. You truly leave this trip with a new love and passion to protect and appreciate these beautiful creatures.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
213elinah
Oct 21, 2025
Experience not to miss - Marine Big 5 Tour experience at Kleinbaai is one of those adventures you must experience at least once in your life! Not only do you get to see whales, but also the rest of the marine big five. Even though during our excursion we were unable to see dolphins, the rest really made up for it. The boat ride there might have you holding on, but it’s all worth it in the end. The complimentary warm soup served at the restaurant upon our return was a nice welcome back to land.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Faraway26236824366
Oct 19, 2025
Wonderful day on the ocean with Marine Dynamics - We had a fantastic experience with Marine Dynamics. Upon arrival, we were welcomed with coffee, tea, and muffins. It’s a short walk to the boat, and we were lucky to have beautiful weather. The entire crew showed great respect for the wildlife and made sure everyone had enough time to see, photograph, or film the marine animals we encountered. Every sighting was handled responsibly and with care. Our guide, Laetitia, and the rest of the crew shared their knowledge and passion, which made the trip even more meaningful. We felt safe, well looked after, and truly inspired by the team’s dedication to conservation. Upon return, we enjoyed a lovely soup back at the meeting point and watched a video about the great care taken of the endangered African penguins. We are now the proud owners of a penguin nest ;-) It was a wonderful day on the ocean and an experience we would highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Walkerbayd
Oct 16, 2025
Adventurious - It was a great experience with sweals, the weather was just an adventure. Everyone was having a great time and seeing the whales and the sharks was just what we needed. The Whole Crew was friendly and hands on to help just on time.
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182suea
Oct 14, 2025
An excellent experience - An incredible experience that we will always remember. Superb guides and volunteers on board who were incredibly knowledgeable. Seeing the whales so close up was truly breathtaking. All of the organisation pre and post cruise was very well organised. The coffee and muffins beforehand and soup and roll afterwards were excellent. The whole trip is worth every penny
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W8635tsmauriceg
Oct 7, 2025
Waves & whales - If you're not prone to seasickness and want more than just spotting whales, this whale watching agency is the perfect choice. From the organization to the actual trip, everything was perfectly arranged. The crew was professional, friendly, and made the tour a truly memorable experience. We didn’t just see whales – we got to enjoy many other impressions of the ocean as well. Would definitely do it again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $132
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).