Dyer Island Cruises

Introduction to Dyer Island

Dyer Island is located off the shores of Gansbaai in the Western Cape of South Africa. The town is located about a two and a half hours drive from the popular Cape Town and about an hour drive from Hermanus- famous for its whale-watching. Dyer Island is home to many species of both wildlife and sea life and the entire area has been designated as a protected area for conservation. This protected area also includes Geyer Rock, known for its marine life. The Dyer Island Cruises have been noted as the only place where you can see a great white shark and a whale on the same trip.

Adventures of a Lifetime

Any of the Dyer Island cruises will give you the opportunity of a lifetime to see a vast array of truly beautiful animals. The channel found between Dyer Island and Geyer Rock is a hotbed for sharks and has become well-known as Shark Alley. Many Dyer Island cruises offer cage diving that allows you to see these sharks up close.

There are many Dyer Island cruises that also offer you a fantastic whale-watching experience. These beautiful southern right whales can grow to be up to forty tons and can actually be both longer and wider that the boat you may be on. To see these whales up close is described by many people as one of the most amazing experiences they have ever had.

On the opposite side of Shark Alley sits Geyer Rock- home to over 60,000 cape fur seals. This rock can be seen from any of your Dyer Island cruises and is a year round attraction. Also, spotted in this area are the African penguin and many dolphins.

Things to Keep in Mind

• Dress warmly because it is always colder on the boat than on the land.
• Dyer Island cruises are dependent on the weather. For your safety, they will not run in bad weather. You should plan to be in the region for a few days to ensure you will be able to take a cruise.
• Whale sighting is so frequent that they guarantee a sighting from July through mid-December.
• Dyer Island cruises that include shark cage diving are best between the months of May and October.
• The Dyer Island region is a protected region and public access is not allowed. The only way you will gain access to this area is through one of the cruises available.
• Most cruises last anywhere from thirty minutes to up to four or five hours.
• Pre-planning is absolutely necessary when planning this type of cruise.
• Cameras and binoculars are always allowed on these trips; in fact you should not leave them at home. You will be glad that you have them with you.
• If you are prone to seasickness, be sure to take your medicine plenty of time in advance to your scheduled cruise.
• Most importantly, have a great time. Dyer Island cruises offer a once in a life time experience that will have you telling stories for years to come.