Great African Sea Forest
Snorkel in a unique ecosystem
WE HAVE MOVED OUR BASE TO 41 VICTORIA AVE, HOUT BAY
Explore Cape Town's ocean with us on our Ocean Safari, a boat-based snorkeling adventure. Snorkel in the Great African Kelp forest, view hidden ocean cliffs or spot a sunfish, whale or dolphin. This is a longer trip, more in-depth experiance, with multiple snorkeling locations, and beautiful scenery. The focus of the adventure is exploring the coastline, marine wildlife and kelp forests. We will no longer be running our famous Seal Snorkeling trips due to Rabies being discovered in the Fur seal population. Join us for an Ocean Safari instead.
Discover the unparalleled beauty of Table Mountain National Park, both above and below the water, with an Ocean Safari. Nestled at the meeting point of the Atlantic Ocean and the African continent, this national park has been ranked amongst the New 7 Wonders of the World and is a national heritage site. It is best explored by an ocean safari and is a sure way to escape the crowds. Marvel at its magnificent mountains plunging into the Atlantic seas, fringed with white sand beaches and granite cliffs, as we travel by sea along the Cape Peninsula.
We will explore hidden coves, historic shipwrecks, and bustling Cape Fur seal colonies. Glide over Atlantic swells, past towering cliffs and granite islands, and spot humpback whales or Heaviside's dolphins. For the adventurous, a snorkel adventure in the majestic Great African Sea Forest will reveal the wonders of this unique underwater ecosystem, where you may encounter endemic shy sharks, curious fur seals, or elusive penguins. You will be guided by passionate local wildlife experts who will reveal the stories of the Cape.
OCEAN SAFARI QUICK INFO
All activities during the Ocean Safari snorkeling adventure are dependent on the specific ocean conditions of the day. Each trip will be slightly different and it is up to the crew to decide where is best to snorkel and explore on the day. Not every trip will be able to snorkel at the shipwreck or jump off the cliffs as these sites need very calm conditions, but every trip will have the option to snorkel in the Great African sea forest at a more protected location.
Ocean Safari Route - Our normal safari route is 30km from Houtbay to Cosy Bay (Twelve Apostles) and return.
Total trip length - 4 hrs from arrival to departure
When - At the time of your online booking.
Where - Hout Bay harbour. You will be informed before trip.
Water temperature: Cold 10-15C / 50-59F
Snorkeling conditions: Calm to Choppy
Snorkel site: Max 10m deep
Visibility: 2-15m
Min Snorkeling Age - 10 yrs
Min Boat viewing age - 6 yrs
Max Weight - 120kg’s
Group Size - Max 10
Equipment Provided - Yes
Must I snorkel? - No, this experiance is great for topside viewing as well.
Possible sightings - Dusky, Heaviside & Common dolphins, Humpback whale, Penguin & Sunfish
Booking - Payment in full
We cancel - Full Refund
You cancel - < 48hrs notice, no refund
What can I expect on this Ocean Safari?
Embark on an adventure filled with fun, passion, and ocean exploration on our ocean safari with Animal Ocean. Marvel at scenic mountain cliffs, and explore a kelp forest as you snorkel freely, Conditions may vary, but our experienced guides ensure a safe experience. We will travel on the ocean looking for wildlife viewing from the boat before entering Duiker Island and snorkeling in the Kelp forests nearby. No prior experience is required, but one must be over 10 years old, weigh less than 120kgs, and be able to swim. Please note that seal encounters depend on natural wildlife factors and trips will be adjusted for weather, swell, and animal behavior.
Can I snorkel on the safari?
Yes! For confident swimmers there is the option to snorkel. Equipment included upon request. Sizes need to be provided.
Will we see whales and dolphins ?
Heaviside and Dusky dolphins are very common. November - Febuary is the the Humpback whale supergroup feeding season, where you can see them on the safari. Common dolphins and Southern right whales can also be seen occasionally. We are not a specific whale-watching boat so will stick to the appropriate guidelines.
What are the trip highlights?
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Kelp Forest snorkel
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Close-up viewing of Cape Fur seals in Hout bay harbor
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Chapmans Peak Drive Ocean Cliffs
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Duiker Island Seal colony - 5000 Fur seals
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Maori bay and the Bos 400 shipwreck
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Oude Schip Fur seal haul out point - 20 Fur seals
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Twelve Apostles Mountain range
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Strawberry Rocks Fur seal haul out rocks - 100 fur seals
Facilities
- Showers
- Toilets
- Changerooms
What bird species might I see on an Ocean Safari?
We love our birds and we have an exciting range of species you might be able to spot while on a trip with us. Here is a quick list of the more common species you may see.
Are there sharks?
No Great White sharks have ever been seen on our snorkeling trips. The cold Atlantic Ocean around Cape Town is not the preferred habitat of this species. there is little incentive for a Great White shark to come to Duiker Island as it is shallow, surrounded by kelp, and few young seals to attempt to feed on. In recent years, since 2017, orcas have killed many Great White sharks in the Western Cape, forcing these sharks to move away from our waters.
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Bank cormorant
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Cape cormorant
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White-breasted cormorant
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Crowned cormorant
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African Oystercatcher
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Sandwich tern
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Swift tern
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Common tern
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African penguin
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Sabines gull
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White-chinned petrel
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Sooty shearwater
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Cape gannet
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Giant petrel
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Hartlaubs gull
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Kelp gull
What other marine wildlife can be seen?
Embark on an oceanic journey to our seal snorkeling site and encounter a diverse array of marine species. From the agile Heaviside's dolphin to the majestic Humpback and Southern Right whales, our waters host a rich variety of cetaceans. Notably, Heaviside's dolphins are relatively small, reaching lengths of about 1.7 meters, and are predominantly found in the cool waters off the coast of Namibia and South Africa.
Watch along the shores for African penguins, Cape cormorants, and Swift terns, each contributing to the vibrant coastal spectacle. Fascinatingly, African penguins are exceptional marine hunters, capable of reaching speeds up to 20 km/h (12 mph) as they skillfully pursue fish, anchovies, and squid. Unlike many other birds, penguins cannot fly but showcase remarkable agility and speed underwater.
Dive deeper to spot intriguing fish species such as the elusive Sunfish, known for its affinity for jellyfish. Did you know? Sunfish are the heaviest bony fish globally, with some individuals weighing over two tons. They can be found at depths ranging from the surface to about 2,300 feet (700 meters).
Explore the kelp forest at Duiker Island, a thriving ecosystem for a variety of marine life. Kelp, a type of brown algae, undergoes a fascinating life cycle. It starts with microscopic spores developing into floating microscopic plants called gametophytes, which then fuse to form diploid sporophytes, growing into tall, floating structures. The kelp's holdfast anchors it to the substrate, while the stipes and blades reach toward the surface, providing a rich habitat for numerous species. Within the kelp's intricate embrace, you may encounter the Cape Rock Crab, Pyjama Shark, Red Roman, Sea Urchins, Kelp Klipfish, and Octopus. These captivating species navigate the kelp's stipes and blades, contributing to the dynamic underwater tapestry. Kelp Gulls and Cape Fur Seals also interact with this environment, creating a harmonious and diverse marine community.
Booking policy?
Bookings are confirmed only when payment has been received. Our online booking system only takes payment in full by credit card. Please be careful not to double book yourself onto multiple time slots, if this occurs there will be a 10% admin fee on the refund unless it is within 48 hours, then no refund is given.
Refund policy?
We will only cancel when conditions are unsafe to go out. We try cancel trips 24 hours before arrival but will cancel at short notice if the ocean is unexpectedly rough. A full refund will be given if we cancel due to poor weather conditions. We only refund via the same method that we received the payment from.
Cancellation policy?
Cancellations within 48 hours of departure and no-shows will not be refunded. All cancellations prior to 48hrs incur a 10% administration fee.
RENT A GOPRO
No need to worry about forgetting to rent a camera – our crew will remind everyone! On the day of your adventure, seize the opportunity to capture every moment with our top-tier underwater cameras. Choose from GoPro 11, GoPro 10, and we provide high-speed Micro SD cards for you to keep.
Receive a quick lesson from our Animal Ocean experts on using these cutting-edge cameras. With a simple push of a button, you can preserve the highlights of your day on a Micro SD memory card, creating lasting memories. Share the joy of your seal snorkeling experience effortlessly with our hassle-free camera rental service.
GoPro 10 and 11
THE REAL DEAL! - up to 4K
120 fps
R700 p/safari
SEAL KAYAKING
Explore the ocean and see Cape Fur seals from our kayaks. Animal Ocean is now offering kayak trips in Hout Bay to see the life in the bay and harbor. Glide past Cape fur seals in the harbour and when in the bay try to spot a Sunfish, Humpback whales, or Dusky dolphins.
This easy adventure is led by our trained Animal Ocean kayak guides and starts at our Seal Snorkeling Centre where you can change in privacy, keep your belongings, and have a hot shower.
Visit our Seal Kayaking Website for more information.
GALLERY