St Lucia Whale Watching

Enjoy boat-based whale watching in South Africa with Advantage Tours. Join us for an unforgettable journey in the heart of Zululand - we are based in St Lucia, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, which is a part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage site.

The Advantage Charter (est. 1991) is THE only legal Boat-Based Whale Watching Permit Holder within "The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park" (renamed in Nov 2007 to "The iSimangaliso Wetland Park"). We are allowed to get as close as 50m from the 5th largest mammal that has lived this earth, the HUMPBACK WHALE.

Our ocean going boat, the ADVANTAGE CHARTER, a 9m+ hard hulled vessel, is built eco-friendly with passenger safety and comfort in mind, and is powered by 2 x 250HP Suzuki engines complying with EPA standards .

In the safe hands of experienced and renowned skipper and specialized Marine Mammal Guide Danie Bennett, you will be taken through the waves to see the gigantic HUMPBACK WHALE. You may also see a variety of pelagic bird life, dolphin frolicking alongside the bow of the boat, sea turtles in season, shark, marlin, whale shark and other interesting marine mammals.

We need about 3 hours of your time, of which the actual tour duration is approximately 2 hours on the ocean, and then 30 minutes on either side to get you to and from the launch site. This in itself is an adventure, as you meet at a central booking office, from where you will be taken to the launch site with a 4 x 4 truck onto the beach.

WHALE WATCHING:

2 hours aboard the ADVANTAGE CHARTER with renowned skipper and specialized Marine Mammal Guide ,Danie Bennett to see HUMPBACK whales from as close as 50m! Danie is the only LEGAL permit holder to take you boat-based whale watching in St Lucia. THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER TRIP TO DO WITHIN THE MONTHS OF JUNE, JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER and NOVEMBER! A SOUL STIRRING EXPERIENCE!

OCEAN ADVENTURE:

An approximate 2 hour trip aboard the ADVANTAGE CHARTER with qualified Marine Mammal guide and skipper DANIE, Bien or Berno - to experience the thrill of surf launching with the possibility of maybe seeing turtles, sharks, dolphins, pelagic sea birds, flying fish. Depending on wind conditions we will visit the Jolly Rubino shipwreck. An ocean adventure to remember.

Deep Sea Game Fishing Charters, Snorkel Safaris, Hippo & Croc Boat Tours, Turtle Tours and assorted land based tours of St Lucia beaches and game reserve areas are also available.

St Lucia, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

Ocean safari with knowledgeable, licensed skipper. 4x4 vehicle transfer between the booking office and launch site.

Personalised DVDs of your trip are available.

It is advisable to bring:

• An extra warm jacket
• Although we issue lifejackets and raincoats always dress in warm comfortable quick drying clothes
• Towel
• Bottle of water
• Packet of biscuits
• Seasick tablet if need be
• Rubber / plastic shoes that you won't mind walking into the sea with.

All are welcome.

40% of your money refunded if you have NOT seen any whales after 2 hours on the ocean.