Cape Peninsula with a Marine Biologist
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 18 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Cape Peninsula with a Marine Biologist worth booking?
Cape Peninsula with a Marine Biologist is a 8.5-hour experience in Cape Town, South Africa, from $3000 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 18 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 69 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (18)
- Duration
- 8.5 hours
- From
- $3000 per person
If you want to see the must-see spots but also some un-touristy spots then this is for YOU. No day is the same and no animal stays in the same place, so why stick to a pre-determined itinerary? Let the day's adventure
What you get
- Exploration gear - binoculars, guide books, mask & snorkels and changing robes.
- Justin Blake, a professional marine biologist, underwater cameraman, and registered tour guide
- Rooibos and Rusk tasting - the best in Cape Town!
- Comfortable, air-conditioned ECO-vehicle. We plant a tree that restores an ecosystem for each trip.
About this experience
If you want to see the must-see spots but also some un-touristy spots then this is for YOU. No day is the same and no animal stays in the same place, so why stick to a pre-determined itinerary? Let the day's adventure unfold based on real-time animal sightings and the day's conditions. Connect with, and intimately understand, one of the most productive oceans in the world whilst meeting the locals - African penguins and humpback whales, anemones & sea stars, baboons & bontebok. Take a breather from the rigours of travel as we slow things down, tasting the best tea & rusks in all of Cape Town (on a sheltered & secluded shoreline, far from the crowds!) Bring a swim suit if you dare... Next up, lunch is served at a local deli - leaving you healthy, light & very full (well priced). Your adventure will end where it began - a skip and a jump from wine estates, beaches, and the Cape Town city centre - avoiding traffic and queues everywhere you go!
What's included
Included
- Exploration gear - binoculars, guide books, mask & snorkels and changing robes.
- Justin Blake, a professional marine biologist, underwater cameraman, and registered tour guide
- Rooibos and Rusk tasting - the best in Cape Town!
- Comfortable, air-conditioned ECO-vehicle. We plant a tree that restores an ecosystem for each trip.
Not included
- Boulders Beach Penguin Colony entrance fee (optional)
- Lunch
- Cape of Good Hope entrance fee (R320 per person)
What you'll see and do
RockHopper Tours
We meet early at this charming bakery and farm stall nestled into the Constantia winelands. The local coffee and fresh-baked croissants are worth the early wake up, plus its 20minutes drive or taxi from the city centre. *There is free, safe, public parking at the deli.*
20 minutes here
Old Cape Point Lighthouse
Visit the iconic Cape Point lighthouse before the buses. Take a stroll or catch the funicular (R70) to take in the 360 degree views over both the cold and warm sides of the Cape of Good Hope. Entrance fee to the Cape of Good Hope is R376 per person for foreign travellers - cash is not accepted so please bring a debit/credit card to make payment.
40 minutes here · Admission not included
Boulders Beach Penguin Colony
One cannot visit Cape Town without stopping by the curious penguins of Boulders beach. An early start is the best way to have an intimate (and respectful) encounter with the African penguins on their morning routine. Visiting the main tourist walkway is optional and priced at R176 for foreign travellers.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Chapman's Peak Drive
Wind down on the iconic Chapmans peak drive, a marvel of engineering and a feast for the eyes. Keep your eye's peeled, this is a good lookout point for whales, dolphins, seals, sunfish and more!
20 minutes here
Cape of Good Hope
Taste Cape Town's best rooibos tea and rusks on a secluded shoreline based on the days conditions and real time animal sightings. It's just the group, the local wildlife and tranquility.
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Cape Town
Avoid traffic by meeting me for coffee and fresh baked croissants at the Chardonnay Deli - a delightful bakery & farm stall in the heart of the Constantia winelands. Contact us for assistance with transfers to the meeting point if needed. https://goo.gl/maps/KbFaFoBQewJ2
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Avoid traffic by meeting me for coffee and fresh baked croissants at the Chardonnay Deli - a delightful bakery & farm stall in the heart of the Constantia winelands. Contact us for assistance with transfers to the meeting point if needed. https://goo.gl/maps/KbFaFoBQewJ2
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 7 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- RockHopper Tours
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Be prepared. Bring sunscreen, a hat & shoes you trust for walking. Even if the weather looks good, bring a wind-breaker. If you’re keen for a dip in a classic rock pool, bring swimwear along as well.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 18 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
18 verified traveler reviews for Cape Peninsula with a Marine Biologist. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Our Worldschool Seafari 2024
We work with the best and so began a campaign to find that one organisation that would meet our high standards of business ethic and guest experience delivery for our guests to learn about the oceans and sealife. Justin Blake it has been a pleasure and our 23 Worldschool international guests, parents and children, learnt so much from you about our on their curated Seafari that we included in their South Africa itinerary. Thank you for delivering on outstanding Justin - 10stars! We enjoy having you onboard as our Marine Guide!
via Tripadvisor
Kayak and community, Hout Bay
This tour was an experience I'll never forget - I did the kayaking and community tip with Rockhopper Tours. Kayaking in Hout Bay harbour was so interesting (we couldn't go into the bay as it was way too windy - safety first!) with Brent Thomas and his sons telling us about the fishing community, the wildlife - including a visit to the fur seal rehab spot where fishers help disentangle seals from various plastics. Then a walking tour of Hout Bay community with Brent telling us about the history, the Indigenous Khoi people and their ongoing struggle to retain the right to live on their own land. It was raw and unfiltered, as it should be - more people should learn about the injustices which continue to occur. Justin was a superb guide and organised everything seamlessly - including some epic croissants and coffee and a delicious lunch! I didn't want the day to come to an end. Thank you for organising everything, Justin. I hope to come back again one day. I strongly recommend a tour with Rockhopper Tours if you love nature and people, have a sense of adventure and an open mind.
via Tripadvisor
Great Cape Tour - discovery and fun
An early pick up at our hotel (7:30) with Justin Blake - sharkhunter - whose NGO aims at bringing South Africa’s rich marine life to a new audience, particularly into schools using 3D virtual tours. He was great; fun and interesting as he took us around the cape peninsula. He is a marine biologist, offering physical (and virtual) tours. He has worked on a number of nature documentaries. 6 years for a 7 minute segment of Our Planet III for the BBC. The trip took us from Muizenberg for a sunrise coffee and Boulder’s beach for the penguins down to Cape Point via Simonstown. It was an easy and spectacular drive. Within the national park, which claims to be more bio-diverse than even the Amazon per square metre, we saw ostriches, but not the signposted baboons or Eland antelopes. At Cape Point we climbed up to the lighthouse and the marker, at was known as the Cape of Storms and then the Cape of Good Hope. Amazing to be somewhere you had learnt about in school geography classes, but somehow never thought you would get to see in real life. On the drive back up we parked up and watched the surf and the surfers for a while, glimpsing two humpback whales swimming past. We drank roiebos tea and ate rusks - a biscotti-like - hard scone. Later on the way back up we stopped in Simonstown at Eat, Surf, Yoga - a slightly alternative cafe and yoga centre for a late lunch before returning to the hotel around 16:00. One of the highlights of our stay in Cape Town, learning a lot in fun company and helping to support the natural world along the way.
via Tripadvisor
Amazing experience with Justin
Justin and his tour rocks - go on it! I booked the experience with a friend last minute and it ended up just being us on the tour, which was amazing. Justin is a legit marine biologist, from South Africa, who has been to Antarctica, swims with sharks and goes on site with National Geographic and Animal Planet - he knows his stuff! But the coolest part of it, was all the information he shared while on the tour - my friends got tired of me quoting his info (but hey, they learned something too!). Justin took us to a special part of Boulder Beach to see the penguins up close, which was amazing and one of the best parts of the entire trip to SA for me. He also took us around Cape Point, and to a marine reserve, where we saw a bunch of different animals, including an ostrich up close, which was an added bonus. It's obvious he puts a lot of thought into his experience and wants to share his passion and knowledge of the ocean and of South Africa. I recommend him highly - you won't regret it!
Response from the operator: Thank you for the fantastic recommendation, Jessica! Great to hear that you so enjoyed the tour!
via Tripadvisor
Incredible Experience
I cannot recommend Justin & Rockhooper Tours highly enough! I just returned from a month in South Africa, and the day spent on the Cape Peninsula tour was a highlight of the trip. Justin's vast knowledge of the landscape and wildlife, fun and engaging personality, and commitment to creating a personalized, non-conventional tour (full of hidden local gems) made for an incredible and memorable day. A not-to-be-missed and wonderful alternative to traditional group tours. This tour feels more like discovering the Cape with a local friend than a scripted tour, which was truly a gift. Thank you Justin & Rockhopper!
Response from the operator: Thanks so much for the kind words, Jessie!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 12+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 6
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 69
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Cape Peninsula with a Marine Biologist: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cape Town.
How much does Cape Peninsula with a Marine Biologist cost?
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Prices start at $3000 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cape Town usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Cape Peninsula with a Marine Biologist take?
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Plan for about 8.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cape Town is not rushed.
Is Cape Peninsula with a Marine Biologist worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 18 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cape Town, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Cape Peninsula with a Marine Biologist?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Cape Peninsula with a Marine Biologist suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 12. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 8.5-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Cape Peninsula with a Marine Biologist?
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Around 6 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cape Town can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cape Town and add a light layer if any part of the 8.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Cape Peninsula with a Marine Biologist start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cape Town within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cape Town?
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On Outty we rank every Cape Town experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cape Town: Lion's Head Sunrise/Sunset Hike, Cape Town Airport Private Transfer, Ocean Wildlife Encounter in Cape Town. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cape Town?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cape Town?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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