Welcome to our world, a world dedicated to the observation and conservation of whales and dolphins. As an environmentally conscious eco-marine business, we are rated by Europe magazine, as one of the top25 worldwide. Ocean Safaris is unique in that we provide support to the Centre for Dolphin Studies via proceeds from our boats trips, ensuring the ongoing research and information sharing from the only accredited research institute of its kind here in South Africa.

It's coast to coast whale and dolphin legally licenced close encounters with Ocean Safaris. Come and join us as we Observe & Conserve...

Welcome to the world of Ocean Safaris. Situated in Plettenberg Bay one of SA’s most diverse bays.  The sheltered, warm waters attract a multitude of marine species from the endangered African Oystercatcher to juvenile hammerhead sharks and thousands of Common dolphins, which come into the bay to feed.   We are an environmentally conscious eco-marine operation and we conduct all our cruises with a strict code of conduct.    

Our local skippers and tour guides provide a personalized service and give insight into the wide spectrum of marine life and geology of the area.  The tour begins with a unique dry launch into the surf zone and ends with a ride straight back onto the beach….  

We offer two different types of Dolphin & Whale watching cruises:  DISCOVERY CRUISES and PREMIUM CRUISES (Close Encounter). 

BOTH cruises are essentially the same and we don’t call them the BEST SEAFARI BY FAR for nothing!!  We take special notice of any dolphins in the area, visit the seals and check out any seabirds, sharks and other marine species that may be around, you never know what you are going to see!!  Our records show that OCEAN SAFARIS see more animals than anywhere else in the country! 

PREMIUM cruises are ‘CLOSE ENCOUNTER’ tours.  These are conducted on our permitted whale watching vessel “Fatboy”.  This permit allows our licenced boat to approach whales up to 50 m.   The whales may then move closer if they wish….  Whales are usually inquisitive and generally move closer and alongside the boat! .  Only permitted boats may approach whales to this distance, all other sea vessels must maintain a 300m distance from the whales.  ‘Official’ whale season, based on the presence of Southern Right Whales along our coastline, runs between July and November… however, we are fortunate to have Humpback Whales between April and January.  Bryde’s whales are seen along our coastline ALL year round, so there is always a chance of getting ‘up close and personal’ with whales in South Africa. DISCOVERY cruises are run on our boats which do not hold permits and are legally obliged to stay 300 meters from whales.  These cruises operate all year around.                                                                

RATES, LAUNCH TIMES AND COST OF DOLPHIN & WHALE WATCHING CRUISES 

Premium Cruise:
> 2 hours
> R500.00/adult ; R300.00/children
> Launch Times: 9h30, 12h00, 14h30

Discovery Cruise:
> 2 hours
> R300.00/adult ; R150/children
> Launch Times: 9h30, 12h00, 14h30