Memorable experiences
When it comes to travel it is all about memorable experiences. We have made it our mission to find experiences that will connect you with self, others and the beautiful places we take you to.
When it comes to travel it is all about memorable experiences. We have made it our mission to find experiences that will connect you with self, others and the beautiful places we take you to.
The little coastal village of Gansbaai in the southern Cape has made quite a name for itself as the place where the Marine Big 5 - Southern Right Whale, Great White shark, Bottlenose Dolphin, African Penguin and Cape Fur Seal - like to play. Over the years it’s gained popularity as the prime shark cage diving location in South Africa, in no small part due to the nurture and guidance of our partner organisation, Marine Dynamics. If, however, shark cage diving sounds a little too extreme for you, there’s always the option of getting right up close to marine life by hopping aboard Dyer Island Cruises’ Dreamcatcher boat and setting out for the open seas.
During one of these 5-star experiences, you will have an expert crew at the helm, who will be sharing their knowledge and keeping a sharp eye out for any interesting sightings. During whale season (May to December) you will have the once in a lifetime chance to see the gentle Southern Right Whales up close as they come to our shores to mate and calve. Keep your camera close at hand, as you never know what may surface just a stone’s throw from the boat – it’s an excellent opportunity to snap some seriously spectacular wildlife shots.
The little coastal village of Gansbaai in the southern Cape has made quite a name for itself as the place where the Marine Big 5 - Southern Right Whale, Great White shark, Bottlenose Dolphin, African Penguin and Cape Fur Seal - like to play. Over the years it’s gained popularity as the prime shark cage diving location in South Africa, in no small part due to the nurture and guidance of our partner organisation, Marine Dynamics. If, however, shark cage diving sounds a little too extreme for you, there’s always the option of getting right up close to marine life by hopping aboard Dyer Island Cruises’ Dreamcatcher boat and setting out for the open seas.
During one of these 5-star experiences, you will have an expert crew at the helm, who will be sharing their knowledge and keeping a sharp eye out for any interesting sightings. During whale season (May to December) you will have the once in a lifetime chance to see the gentle Southern Right Whales up close as they come to our shores to mate and calve. Keep your camera close at hand, as you never know what may surface just a stone’s throw from the boat – it’s an excellent opportunity to snap some seriously spectacular wildlife shots.
While all of this makes for a pretty good experience, what we really love about Marine Dynamics and Dyer Island Cruises, is their unwavering dedication to conservation of sea birds and animals in partnership with Dyer Island Conservation Trust. One of their biggest ongoing projects focuses on the African Penguins of Dyer Island and aims to research their worrisome decline over the past few decades (90% in 30 years). To help protect these cute creatures from environmental factors and natural predators, they have manufactured and placed more than 800 superficial nests on the island, as well as at a number of other breeding colonies. These have provided them with sheltered homes and helped to protect them from heat stress and predatory birds such as the Kelp Gull.
With Great White sharks being one of the more regularly sighted species in the region, they also research the feeding, breeding, migrating and behavioural habits of these apex predators. In conjunction with various national and international research institutions, they do this by recording sightings, tagging certain sharks, dorsal fin identification and taking thousands of photos for an ongoing database. Dyer Island Cruises owner, Wilfred Chivell, is part of the SA Whale Disentanglement Network, led by Oceans & Coasts and specially trained to handle whales and dolphins that have been caught in nets. Also, when whales or dolphins are stranded in the area, Chivell and one of the biologists will attend to do sampling and measurement for the Mammal Research Institute of the University of Pretoria and O&C.
While all of this makes for a pretty good experience, what we really love about Marine Dynamics and Dyer Island Cruises, is their unwavering dedication to conservation of sea birds and animals in partnership with Dyer Island Conservation Trust. One of their biggest ongoing projects focuses on the African Penguins of Dyer Island and aims to research their worrisome decline over the past few decades (90% in 30 years). To help protect these cute creatures from environmental factors and natural predators, they have manufactured and placed more than 800 superficial nests on the island, as well as at a number of other breeding colonies. These have provided them with sheltered homes and helped to protect them from heat stress and predatory birds such as the Kelp Gull.
With Great White sharks being one of the more regularly sighted species in the region, they also research the feeding, breeding, migrating and behavioural habits of these apex predators. In conjunction with various national and international research institutions, they do this by recording sightings, tagging certain sharks, dorsal fin identification and taking thousands of photos for an ongoing database. Dyer Island Cruises owner, Wilfred Chivell, is part of the SA Whale Disentanglement Network, led by Oceans & Coasts and specially trained to handle whales and dolphins that have been caught in nets. Also, when whales or dolphins are stranded in the area, Chivell and one of the biologists will attend to do sampling and measurement for the Mammal Research Institute of the University of Pretoria and O&C.
With our oceans drowning in plastic, it’s also fitting that Dyer Island Cruises and Marine Dynamics have launched a campaign to tackle the problem on a local basis. The Clean Marine Anti-Litter Campaign supports recycling, while involving local schools and the community in beach clean ups and marine education. They also place unique fishing line bin disposal units along the coast. It was recognised by WESSA and the Blue Flag beach programme and has been rolled out nationally to 27 beaches.
With our oceans drowning in plastic, it’s also fitting that Dyer Island Cruises and Marine Dynamics have launched a campaign to tackle the problem on a local basis. The Clean Marine Anti-Litter Campaign supports recycling, while involving local schools and the community in beach clean ups and marine education. They also place unique fishing line bin disposal units along the coast. It was recognised by WESSA and the Blue Flag beach programme and has been rolled out nationally to 27 beaches.
With our oceans drowning in plastic, it’s also fitting that Dyer Island Cruises and Marine Dynamics have launched a campaign to tackle the problem on a local basis. The Clean Marine Anti-Litter Campaign supports recycling, while involving local schools and the community in beach clean ups and marine education. They also place unique fishing line bin disposal units along the coast. It was recognised by WESSA and the Blue Flag beach programme and has been rolled out nationally to 27 beaches.
Of course, all these conservation projects require many sets of hands to help them work smoothly and effectively. And what better way to do this than involving passionate people from all over the world. Marine Dynamics is also home to the International Marine Volunteers programme, whose mission it is to inspire their volunteers to make a difference in the world around them by providing them with life-changing opportunities, experiences and creating awareness that eco-tourism, conservation, community, research and education can all dovetail into a sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship.
Of course, all these conservation projects require many sets of hands to help them work smoothly and effectively. And what better way to do this than involving passionate people from all over the world. Marine Dynamics is also home to the International Marine Volunteers programme, whose mission it is to inspire their volunteers to make a difference in the world around them by providing them with life-changing opportunities, experiences and creating awareness that eco-tourism, conservation, community, research and education can all dovetail into a sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship.
