Whales. Dolphins. Cape Fur Seals.

Hout Bay’s only licensed whale & dolphin boat — twenty minutes from Cape Town.

  • SAMSA Approved
  • Licensed Operator
  • Safety First
  • 5-Star Reviews
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Our Story

A working harbour on one of the best stretches of water in the world

Twenty minutes over Constantia Nek from the city and you are somewhere else entirely.

  • The only licensed permit in the bay to approach whales & dolphins
  • Twenty minutes from Cape Town, a world away
  • Ten seats, never more — a licensed skipper and guide aboard
Our story
Hout Bay, Hout Bay
Hout Bay
Whales & dolphins, Hout Bay
Whales & dolphins
Seal Island, Hout Bay
Seal Island
The harbour, Hout Bay
The harbour
Three ways out

Pick your adventure

Thirty minutes to two and a half hours. Everything leaves from Ticket Office #4 and comes back to the same spot.

  • Whale & Dolphin Safari in Hout Bay ★ Most popular

    Departs 10:30 · 14:00

    2.5 hours Max 10 pax

    Whale & Dolphin Safari

    We hold the only permit in this bay that lets us legally approach whales and dolphins, so when something surfaces we go — everyone else has to watch from a distance.

    Adult R1 850
    Child 7–14 years R1 200
    Book now
  • High Speed Eco Tour in Hout Bay

    Departs From 08:00

    1 hour Max 10 pax

    High Speed Eco Tour

    Ready to swap the harbour for the open Atlantic? We turn up the pace and head past Duiker Island, along Chapman’s Peak and out towards the legendary BOS 400 shipwreck. There’ll be seals, spray, dramatic coastline and plenty of ocean between you and land. An exciting way to experience Hout Bay’s coastline and marine life.

    Adult R900
    Child 7–14 years R700
    Book now
  • High Speed Eco Tour in Hout Bay

    Departs From 08:00

    30 minutes Max 10 pax

    High Speed Eco Tour

    The short, sharp version. Out past the breakwater, around Duiker, back before your coffee goes cold.

    Adult R600
    Child 7–14 years R545
    Book now
Scroll to explore
  • 10 seats, never more
  • 2x Suzuki 200
  • The only whale permit in the bay
  • Ticket Office #4, Hout Bay Harbour

30 & 60 minute tours from 08:00 · Whale watching at 10:30 and 14:00. Timeslots change with the season and the sea. Please contact the ticket office on 060 894 0029 for active timeslots.

The weather may have a say. You still have options.

All departures depend on sea and weather conditions. If we can’t safely head out, we’ll reschedule your trip or give you a full refund.

Wildlife calendar

A good time to go looking. Here’s our calendar.

It is October. Here is what is in the bay right now, and what is worth coming back for.

Whales in Hout Bay
Whales
Dolphins in Hout Bay
Dolphins
Cape fur seals in Hout Bay
Cape fur seals
Seabirds & sunfish in Hout Bay
Seabirds & sunfish
Species J F M A M J J A S O N D
Cape Fur Seal Arctocephalus pusillus
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis
Southern Right Whale Eubalaena australis
Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae
Bryde's Whale Balaenoptera brydei
Ocean Sunfish Mola mola
Peak Possible Not around Today
Book Whale Safari Best odds June–November
Cawsaw, our 8.5m semi-rigid with twin Suzuki 200 outboards, moored in Hout Bay Harbour SAMSA approved
The boat

8.5 metres, 400 horsepower

2x Suzuki 200

A Gemini built by CAWSAW, twin Suzuki 200 four-strokes, SAMSA approved end to end. Ten passengers, never more.

  • Hull 8.5m CAWSAW semi-rigid
  • Power 2x Suzuki 200 four-stroke
  • Output 400 bhp
  • Capacity 10 passengers
  • Safety SAMSA approved
  • Crew Licensed skipper + guide
400 bhp 2x Suzuki 200 four-strokes
8.5 m CAWSAW Gemini semi-rigid hull
10 seats Licensed skipper plus a guide aboard
SAMSA approved safety equipment, inspected every season
Some encounters become stories

Hear it from the ones who were there.

  • Fantastic guide, loved the experience

    What an amazing experience!! Our guide was a true enthusiast, she had been out that morning in her car to see whether she could spot the whales for us and where they might be. We were out of season, but we still managed to spend 30 minutes with a beautiful Southern Right whale. What an experience!! Loved every minute and very, very glad we went.
    Joanna W London, United Kingdom Tripadvisor · March 2026

  • Exhilarating experience

    The whole team at Captain Jack’s Ocean Safaris were amazing! So kind and welcoming. We saw about 20 humpback whales!! It was an exhilarating experience and so worth it. The boat was very comfortable and clean. Great value for money!
    Amber Lluvia M Tripadvisor · February 2026

  • Activity away from tourist factories

    Great morning. The weather was very nice and we could see many whales. All the team did their utmost to find them and provide us with plenty of explanations. The boats are small, so they go fast and are agile. The captain was careful. I recommend 200%…
    Magali F Tripadvisor · September 2025 · translated from French

  • Fantastic!

    We had an amazing trip to the humpback super-feeding group off Llandudno. It was amazing. We were absolutely fascinated. Of course it was because of the whales, but Captain Jack’s crew let us feel welcome, safe, special and at the right place at the right time. Thank you so much, we will never forget.
    Katrin M Tripadvisor · December 2024

  • An unforgettable outing in the open ocean

    Despite the windy and wet weather, Brent, our guide and skipper, was able to put us at ease. He explained how to locate whales, dolphins and seals. We had the chance to observe a mother whale with her calf, the island of many seals, and dolphins near our boat. An excursion away from the crowded boats that we will remember all our lives!
    Grégory T Tripadvisor · October 2024 · translated from French

  • Brent and the team give a great tour!

    Brent and the team were fantastic. We saw humpback whales, 3 types of dolphins, and seals. Brent is very knowledgeable about the animals, the environment, and the culture of the local people. We will go again when in Cape Town.
    J Kenneth W Tripadvisor · October 2024

Read more reviews on Tripadvisor

A few things to know before we set out

Everyone has a front-row seat

Your safety is paramount to us. There’s no upper age limit — the only restriction is that children should be within the 7–14 years guidance. All passengers should be able to reach the handrails and hold on firmly. Passengers under 18 must have an adult sign the indemnity on their behalf.

  • 7–14 years · child guidance
  • No upper age limit
  • Under 18 an adult signs the indemnity
Before you book

The honest answers

Still stuck? Our team is ready to help.

+27 (0)60 894 0029
Will I definitely see a whale?

No guarantees. Just a good chance. Whales are wild, and the ocean has a mind of its own. We can’t promise a sighting — but from June to November, your chances are genuinely good. We’re the only boat here permitted to approach them, and our skippers have spent years learning the rhythm of this bay.

Do you cancel for weather?

Our trips are weather-dependent, and Hout Bay can experience strong south-easterly winds in summer and north-westerly swell in winter. If conditions prevent us from going out safely, we’ll move your trip or give you a full refund. Because getting you out there is never more important than getting you out there safely.

How rough does it get?

Inside the bay it is usually gentle. The 2.5 hour safari and the high speed eco tours go out past the headland where the Atlantic swell is real. If you are prone to seasickness, take something an hour before you sail and choose a morning slot — the bay is almost always calmest before eleven.

What should I bring?

A windproof jacket even in summer, sunscreen, and sunglasses with a strap. Leave anything you cannot afford to get wet in the car. We provide the life jackets, and yes, they are the orange ones in all the photographs.

Is there a minimum age to ride the boat?

Your safety is paramount to us. There’s no upper age limit; the only restrictions are that children should follow the 7–14 years age guidance. All passengers should be able to reach the handrails and hold on firmly, and anyone under 18 must have an adult sign the indemnity on their behalf.

Where exactly do we leave from?

Ticket Office #4 in Hout Bay Harbour. Come through the main harbour gate, past the fish market, and we are on the quay. Parking is free and there is usually plenty. Be there fifteen minutes before your slot.

How do I book?

Call or WhatsApp +27 (0)60 894 0029, email info@captainjacks.co.za, or walk up to the ticket office. We hold ten seats a boat, so summer weekends and whale season mornings do genuinely sell out.

Is it a group trip or private?

Both are available. Standard departures are shared, capped at ten people. If you want the boat to yourself — a proposal, a birthday, a photography charter — call us and we will quote it.

Ticket office opens 08:00 · Monday – Sunday, 08:00 – 17:00

We plan the outing. The ocean writes the rest.

Send an enquiry

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Prefer to talk?

Call +27 (0)60 894 0029 info@captainjacks.co.za

Ticket Office #4, Hout Bay Harbour · 34°02'53"S 18°20'46"E

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