Last Updated on March 27, 2025 by Hannah Stephenson
Cape Town is home to some amazing marine life, so if you’re looking to head out on a marine safari then I don’t blame you!
And if you’re wondering whether or not it’s worth it, that’s understandable too. Time in Cape Town is too precious to waste on sub par experiences.
I did a marine safari recently that left from the V&A Waterfront. So now, I’m here with an honest and unfiltered review of that tour to help you decide whether or not it’s worth it. Grab your lifejacket, and let’s go!
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Why I chose to do a marine safari in Cape Town
My friend, Sophie, came to visit me in Cape Town and she was here for her birthday. She’s a wildlife lover and I wanted to plan a special day for her, so I decided to do this marine safari from the V&A Waterfront.
We had a pretty packed day full of celebrations so I wanted a boat trip that departed from the city. I know there’s a marine safari tour that goes out to Gansbaai, but that means spending more time on the road than on a boat. It’s way too much travel time for a day trip.
Therefore, I figured that booking a marine safari from the Waterfront would be a great way to see some sea creatures and make the most of the day. But honestly, I didn’t expect it to be as great as it actually was!
Check the details and reviews for the marine safari here!
My experience
We rocked up in the morning and were welcomed by the friendly crew, who gave us a safety briefing. Then, we were off!
The interior of the catamaran was nice and spacious, and there were only five passengers on board in total. My friends and I went and sat on the nets on the front of the boat so that we could see as much as possible. This did mean that we had very wet bottoms by the end of the tour, but it was worth it!
The Waterfront is home to a ton of seals and we must have seen hundreds of them as we left the harbour! Then, when we were out in open water we spotted a pod of dolphins which was just amazing.
After that, the crew came and handed out juice and muffins as we cruised to see the next animal on this list: Little Penguins. We saw about five of them bobbing on top of the water together.
However, the real highlight of the day was seeing whales. Winter is really the prime time for whale watching in Cape Town but you can still see Bryde’s Whales during the summer! I didn’t want to get my hopes up but we ended up seeing four of them.
First, we saw two whales surfacing close to a cargo ship, which was super exciting. Then, we cruised over to another spot where we saw a whale do a perfect dive back into the water.
But the grand finale was when a whale surfaced INSANELY close to our boat. Honestly, I could have reached out and touched it!
It was hard to get pictures as my phone was all wet by this point and it happened pretty quickly, so I don’t think my photos fully convey just how epic it was.
We headed back to shore after that. We stopped to try and get a glimpse of sunfish, the last of the Big Five, on the way back but we had no luck. Still, I’d say that the whales more than made up for that, wouldn’t you?
How much does the marine safari cost?
The marine safari costs R1,000 per person. This price includes the boat ride, the crew, and light refreshments. You can leave tips via cash or card at the end to thank the crew if you like!
Where does the marine safari leave from?
Our boat left from the Waterfront harbour, just out the front of the Den Anker restaurant. I went to check us in and get the tickets from the kiosk, and then my friends just met me there.
How long does the marine safari last?
It lasts for about 1.5 hours, so it’s easy to fit into your Cape Town itinerary! We left at 10:30 am and got back around midday.
Do I need seasickness tablets?
I popped a seasickness pill before this boat tour and I’m glad I did. The waves were pretty choppy and I think I might have started to feel a bit unwell had I not taken one.
However, I did this tour with two friends who aren’t prone to seasickness and they were fine!
Is it worth it?
Yes! It’s a must for lovers of marine life. We literally could not have been closer to the whales, so that alone made it 100% worth it for me.
You can book your Cape Town marine safari here with FREE cancellation!