Whale Watching Knysna - Close Encounter Experience Ocean Odyssey
Overview
Observing whales in their natural environment leaves a feel-good mark on the soul- Knysna the best places to do this!
As Knysna’s only permitted close encounter operator, our team is passionate about showcasing our prolific marine life and our incredibly picturesque & scenic coastline.
Every year, both the Southern Right and the Humpback whales leave their icy feeding grounds off Antarctica and migrate to mate and calve in the warmer waters of our Southern African coastline. Knysna is one of the best whale watching destinations in the country.
Knysna is blessed with year-round sightings - large pods of Dolphins and regular sightings of Brydes whales. From June through to November/December Knysna’s you can sight our incredible migrating whales, as our waters teem with Southern right and humpback whales and they skirt our coastline while making their way to the tropics.
What's Included
- Bottled water Available on request
- Local guide
- Gratuities
Meeting Location
TH22 Long Street
Thesen Island, Knysna, 6571, South Africa
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Guests will check in at our reception where they are required to sign an indemnity form. Once all guests have checked in our crew will start preparing them with life jackets. Once every one is ready they will be given a briefing on the tour they will be departing on and what to expect. A safety briefing will be given by the skipper once all guests have boarded the boat before departing.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travellers with high risk pregnancies
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Due to the nature of this tour and the safety of all guests, the tour operator reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated or show signs of intoxication. If, as a result, your tour is canceled, you will not be entitled to a refund.
- All trips subject to weather & sea conditions
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation - minimum number of passengers required due to vessel operating weight requirement.
- Children are considered a passenger and have a seat allocation.
- Marine mammals are free roaming and wild, sightings of any kind are not guaranteed therefore we do not offer refunds for no sightings-
- The tour will be accompanied by other passengers.
- Not recommended for children under the age of 3 years
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (10)
Q: Do we get to swim with or touch the dolphins?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
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Activity code: C-51740P2
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.74 out of 5 stars based on 81 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
Frequently Asked Questions (10)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
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As an active member of the Dolphin SMART program, we do not have physical contact with the dolphins on Whale Watching Knysna – Close Encounter Experience Ocean Odyssey. We watch them in their natural habitat from the boat.
Dec 2022If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy.
Feb 2023- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (SAST).
- This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- Bottled water. Available on request.
- Local guide.
- Gratuities.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025The minimum age to participate is 1. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Whale Watching Knysna - Close Encounter Experience Ocean Odyssey is as follows:
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travellers with high risk pregnancies
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Whale Watching Knysna – Close Encounter Experience Ocean Odyssey will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Bottled waterAvailable on request
- Local guide
- Gratuities
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travellers with high risk pregnancies
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Due to the nature of this tour and the safety of all guests, the tour operator reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated or show signs of intoxication. If, as a result, your tour is canceled, you will not be entitled to a refund.
- All trips subject to weather & sea conditions
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation - minimum number of passengers required due to vessel operating weight requirement.
- Children are considered a passenger and have a seat allocation.
- Marine mammals are free roaming and wild, sightings of any kind are not guaranteed therefore we do not offer refunds for no sightings-
- The tour will be accompanied by other passengers.
- Not recommended for children under the age of 3 years
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers
