Marine Big 5 Catamaran Safari Adventure

Take to the sea in a 36-foot catamaran for an exciting day of marine animal sightings! South Africa is well known as a country where you can see the Big Five animals, but you can also spot the Marine Big Five: African Penguin, Cape Fur Seal, Common Dolphin, Great White Shark and Southern Right Whale.

On this day tour along the cape, you'll also learn about historic sites like Simon's Town Naval Base, Roman Rock Lighthouse, Seal Island and houses in St James and Kalk Bay designed by renowned architect Sir Herbert Baker.

After pickup from your Cape Town hotel, you'll travel by comfortable minicoach 45 minutes to Simon's Town where you'll board a 36-foot catamaran. Set sail along False Bay to your first destination: Boulders Beach, home to 3,500 African Penguins, a bird on the endangered species list. As you pass this island, keep a lookout for groups of penguins on the hunt for food.

From Boulders Beach, you'll head to Seal Island, home to more than 65,000 Cape Fur Seals and a variety of seabirds including Cape and Bank Cormorants. From the boat you will be able to see -and hear!- the pinnipeds as they loll on the island.

Next your boat will scout the waters for sharks! Great White Sharks come inland from September to March, and smaller species of sharks come and go throughout the year. Hope to get lucky and spot one of these amazing predators.

From August to November, Southern Right Whales can be seen on the South African coast as they mate or give birth. Year-round you may see Bryde's whales and Humpback whales as well. Also keep an eye out for pods of Common, Bottlenose, or Dusky Dolphins as you cruise along.

During your boat tour, your guide will point out landmarks such as an ex-whaling station and Roman Rock Lighthouse, the only lighthouse on this coast to be built on a single rock surrounded by sea.

You'll also learn the history of the towns along the cape including Simon's Town, Muizenberg Beach, St James and Kalk Bay. Watch for the cottage that belonged to Cecil Rhodes, a man who left an indelible mark on South Africa and the world, and hear about the architect Sir Herbert Baker who designed many buildings along the Cape.

After experiencing the cape's beauty, you'll be returned to your hotel at the end of your tour.