Ivanhoe Sea Safaris – Whale Watching Gansbaai, De Kelders
Let our registered specialist whale guides give you an experience of a lifetime. Our boat-based whale watching safaris take place in Walker Bay, which is renowned for the best viewing of Southern Right Whales in the world. We operate out of Gansbaai, close to De Kelders, 35 minutes from Hermanus, and a scenic two-hour drive from Cape Town.
Our whale-watching vessel, “Ivanhoe”, is the queen of the South African whale-watching fleet. She was designed by Rudy, the most experienced whale skipper in South Africa, so that all guests have a clear view of the animals, and that guests remain dry and safe at all times.
What you will see
An animal 8 to 10 times the size of a bull elephant and so ugly it becomes breathtakingly beautiful. These majestic creatures are often friendly and playful and have a tendency to show off. A 16-metre giant of some 50 to 60 tons is so aware of its great body that it is able to pass under or next to our boat, curving its fluke around the boat inches away without bumping it.
The mating game – a huffing and puffing, rolling and twisting of a group of up to 7 males, all with nothing but procreation on their minds; lucky or is it an unlucky lone cow, the centre of their attention.
A mother and her calf, more often than not, touching, playing together, rolling over and over and under each other, the calf with its tail or flipper draped across her back. Hear her call, when her calf strays too far in the game of ‘catch me if you can’ with a Cape Fur Seal.
The breach can only be compared to a missile being launched, from a nuclear submarine, below the sea. The loud roar as it rockets up from the deep to the huge crash as it lands back into the sea – a truly unforgettable experience.
We are open 365 days a year, and are the only whale-watching operator to guarantee whale sightings in season, June to December, on a 2-hour trip. Out of whale season, January to May, we have various trips available * Eco Safaris * Sunset Cruises * Trips to Danger Point to find the resident Brydes Whales * Marine Bird Watching Cruises.
What You Could See
1000′s of Cape Fur Seals and their pups in their most Southern breeding habitat from really close up, many of our various Coastal Marine Birds, African Penguins, a good chance of seeing a great White Shark or two and even possibly a “Kill”, Dolphin, Sunfish & much more….
Please note: For your safety and comfort, all our trips are subject to our weather. The trips depart in the morning usually around 10.30 am or after lunch. Tel: +27 28 384 0556: Mobile: +27 82 9267977: Website.
Directions: As you enter Gansbaai at the second four way stop turn right into Voortrekker Street. At the next stop, please turn left into Kerk Street. Take the next right into Hawe Street and continue into the Harbour. Look out for Ivanhoe Sea Safaris on the left hand side of the Harbour.
For more information on the Cape Overberg, visit ShowMe Overberg. For information on Hermanus, visit ShowMe Hermanus.
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