Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, especially during peak seasons! Booking in advance secures your spot and helps us prepare for your arrival. We have smaller capacities than some companies and we do fill up fast so to avoid disappointment please book. Book online easily right here

You can book online, email, call, WhatsApp (find all our details on the contact page!) you can even visit us at our offices if you are in the area. If you are staying at one of our local accommodations, you can even ask their reception to assist you with making a booking with us.

We depart three times daily, sea and weather conditions permitting – 09h30, 12h00 & 15h00. Custom timeslots can be arranged for groups only – subject to availability – please contact info@oceanodyssey.co.za

If we are unable to proceed on our tour because of poor sea and weather conditions, we will reschedule you to the next best ocean-going day if your itinerary permits. If you are unable to reschedule, we will issue a refund in full. Please note that weather can only be determined closer to the time – we can advise on what weather is to be expected 2-3 days before the activity date but the final call on conditions is made on the day by the skipper.

Our whale watching season runs from the 1st of June until the 30th of November

There is not a better time in the day for whale activity, it’s what suits you and when the weather is best. We highly recommend booking for the first day and timeslot you have avaliable so in the event of poor sea and/or weather conditions we can reschedule to the next best timeslot/day. .

No, just because we had whales on the previous tour does not guarantee whales on the next. We are also operating with small capacities, and we do fill up fast.

Yes, please contact us via email on info@oceanodyssey.co.za so we can assist with scheduling exclusive use of our vessel/s

From the 1st of December until the 31st of May we run our Eco Marine Tours which focuses on all the marine life and the Garden Route coastline.

Kids are welcome; however, we do recommend that children are atleast 3 years and older for the experience. Sometimes there are ocean conditions that our skipper may feel are a bit too rough for young children and they will advise parents in this case.

The tour may be unsuitable for pregnant people in their third trimester, depending on the conditions on the day. If it is a wet day or the seas are a bit rough, moving around the boat can be more difficult when pregnant. In terms of safety in less-than-ideal weather conditions, the final call remains with the Skipper on the day. If the Skipper deems the weather unsuitable, a choice of a full refund or option to reschedule will be offered. We also advise you to consult a doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

Please note that our vessel and moorings are not wheelchair accessible, and this activity requires upper body strength to ensure safety.

We operate our safari on the open seas. The water can be a bit rough at times, which can make moving around the boat or maintaining balance more difficult. If you or a member of your party has mobility or balance issues, or is frail, we recommend having an accompanying caregiver to assist. While our crew is happy to help when they can, they are not able to act as caregivers during the safari.

We request that all passengers arrive 30 minutes before departure to allow for indemnity forms to be completed, life jackets to be fitted, pre-departure briefings to be completed and a quick toilet stop and safety briefing from the skipper on the boat before departing. The boat will not wait for you if you don’t arrive on time! Please allow yourself plenty of travelling time especially in season!

Yes, we have plenty of parking avaliable near our offices that is free. The parking and area is also monitored by our local security company by foot and camera.

Dress comfortably and wear sensible shoes. We always recommend bringing a warm jacket (especially in whale watching season!) or a light wind breaker (more suitable for our summer tours -it’s always cooler on the ocean then on land). Make sure you have a suitable hat or cap (ideally one that is tight to the head or has a strap/string under the chin so it wont blow away!) sunscreen, sunglasses, and ofcourse your camera to capture the experience. Binoculars are optional, but we do warn those using them that staring through them (or any lens!) constantly can speed up the feeling of motion sickness

If you are prone to motion sickness, yes. We are on the Indian Ocean, and we do like to say that is has a bit of “spice” to it, so always expect a bump and a lump out there! Do come prepared with medication and follow its instructions (no medications avaliable in store in South Africa – must be bought at a pharmacy). We do however sell wrist pressure bands in our retail store that can assist with sea sickness.

Yes, all passengers and crew have to wear a life jacket on all tours.

We have free bottled water on the boat that passengers can request during the tour from the guide and skipper. We do not recommend food on board and alcohol is not permitted onboard the vessel. Food and drinks are best enjoyed before or after the experience!

No, we do not have a bathroom on the vessel. All passengers are encouraged and given an opportunity to use the bathroom before boarding the vessel. Our tours are also only 2 hours long which is perfect for passenger’s comfort!

Yes, in front of each row of seats by your feet are compartments to keep your belongings (only suitable for items not bigger than a backpack)

Passengers can experience a salty spray during the experience. There are certain weather conditions that could make the experience a little wet and, in these cases, we do provide heavy duty ponchos to all passengers to keep them somewhat dry.

Drones are not permitted at any time on the tour. This is due to the various laws and special permit requirements related to drone use around marine mammals and certain areas of operation, as well as health and safety issues.

We see three species of whale along our coastline. We predominantly see the Humpback Whales but also see the Southern Right Whales during whale season. We also are very lucky to experience the Brydes Whale which can be seen throughout the year!

We see three species of dolphins along our coastline – Indo-pacific Bottlenose Dolphin, Long Beaked Common Dolphin & Indo-pacific Humpback Dolphin

We have had encounters with Orcas but not as frequent as some areas. They are a rare sighting and very unpredictable!

No, this is wildlife in their natural environment – we have no control or influence. In our whale watching season (June-November) we do utilise a spotter on an elevated viewpoint that assists the boat by directing them to sightings.

No, South Africa has very strict conservation laws for the safety of both humans and animals. Touching, feeding, or swimming with marine life and/or whales is a criminal offense and can result in significant fines and other penalties.

Permits are required for whale watching in South Africa to control the industry, protect whales from harm, and ensure the activity is sustainable. Regulations manage the number of boats, set rules for interactions, and help with enforcement, which are crucial for the long-term survival of the species and the health of the marine environment.

A permitted whale watching company can approach a whale to within a minimum of 50 meters but cannot get any closer. However, if a whale chooses to approach the boat closer than 50 meters on its own, the vessel is not required to move away. Strict rules also dictate that boats must maintain a minimum distance of 300 meters from cow-calf pairs.