Water activity

Knysna: Close Encounter Whale Watching Tour by Boat

4.5 / 5

44 reviews

Activity provider: Ocean Odyssey
Water activity

Knysna: Close Encounter Whale Watching Tour by Boat

Activity provider: Ocean Odyssey

From US$ 79.77 per person

Come join a close encounter whale watching, departing daily from Thesen Island. Sail through the Knysna Heads and out to sea in search of Humpback and Southern Right whales.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 2 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English, Afrikaans

Experience

Highlights
  • See the the captivating and diverse natural landscape of the Knysna estuary
  • Sail through the rugged and iconic Knysna Heads, a pair of sandstone cliffs
  • Catch rare ocean sightings of huge Humpback and Southern Right whales
  • See marine life in the Indian Ocean - dolphins, seals, penguins, and more
Full description
Come get up close and personal with the gentle giants of the ocean on this 2-hour whale watching tour! Your trip begins as your captain navigates you through the Knysna Estuary and then you'll head out towards the vast and beautiful Indian Ocean. Every year, both the southern right and humpback whales leave their icy feeding grounds off Antarctica and migrate to mate and calve in the warmer waters of the Southern African coastline - this makes Knysna one of the best whale-watching destinations in the country. The tour will be narrated by an experienced skipper and guide who will share with you fascinating information about the lives of these whales. Your adventure will also be assisted by an experienced whale spotter who is in radio contact with all skippers, so you can be directed to any sightings. Keep your eyes peeled for other marine life as well - you may even spot a dolphin or a penguin or two!
Includes
  • Life jacket
  • Mineral water
  • Motion sickness tablets
Not suitable for
  • People with back problems
  • People prone to seasickness

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Meet at Ocean Odyssey Whale Watching at TH22 Long Street, Thesen Harbour Town, Knysna.

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Important information

What to bring

  • Warm clothing
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun hat
  • Biodegradable sunscreen
  • Jacket

Not allowed

  • Baby strollers
  • Food and drinks
  • Drones
  • Alcohol and drugs
  • Baby carriages
  • Touching marine life
  • Swimming

Know before you go

  • All tours are always sea and weather conditions permitting. Only the skipper of the vessel can make a judgment call on these conditions which are determined on the day of the tour, and passengers will be contacted on the day if conditions are not ideal for the activity
  • Sightings are not guaranteed as this is wildlife in their natural environment
  • Minimum of 4 passengers required to proceed with the activity. If minimum pax is not reached we will notify you before the activity
  • Life jackets are compulsory
  • Seasickness is prone to those that experience motion sickness. We do recommend motion sickness tablets (only available at pharmacies) or bands for those individuals
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.5 /5

based on 44 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.5/5
  • Transportation
    4.5/5
  • Service
    4.9/5
  • Organization
    4.9/5

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Sehr gut organisierte Tour. Wir haben sogar einen Wal gesehen aber auch viele andere Tiere. Leider hatte der Steuermann das Boot immer so ausgerichtet, dass die Tiere auf der rechten Seite waren, somit war die Sicht für die links sitzenden Passagiere etwas schlechter.

April 1, 2023

Gut organisiert aber leider keine Wale gesehen. So spielt die Natur. Der Skipper hat aber sein Bestes gegeben und sonst hat alles gepasst. Als kleine Entschädigung haben wir Delphine und Robben beobachten können. Preislich jedoch eines der teuersten Dinge, die wir in Südafrika gemacht haben...

April 1, 2023

Alles gut organisiert, modernes und sauberes Boot, gute Instruktionen und sehr versierter Skipper. Allerdings muss man wissen, dass eine sehr gute Seetauglichkeit Voraussetzung ist. Diese Information hätte beim Einchecken nochmals gegeben werden müssen.

April 1, 2023

Product ID: 162900