Ocean Odyssey

Ocean Odyssey offers Close Encounter Whale Watching tours from June to November and Eco Marine tours, including Heads Adventures with daily departures. Our Stand-Up Paddle Boards and Kayaks are available for hire from our office conveniently located on Thesen Island.

Ocean Odyssey offers an unforgettable marine adventure in the beautiful Garden Route seaside town of Knysna, which is considered one of the best tourist destinations in South Africa – Voted #19 on the Tourism Sentiment Index 100 Most Loved Destinations Around the World for 2021! We are a whale watching and marine eco-tour company offering a range of eco-based boating activities for local and international tourists. We have been in operation since 2006 and are Knysna’s only permitted close encounter whale watching operation.

Our newly commissioned flag ship vessel, Odysseus, offers comfortable cinema style seating for 25 passengers, with plenty of space to move and view the amazing scenery and the abundant marine life that spoil us with sightings all year round. Our trusty work horse Oyster Catcher is also available for tours with a carrying capacity of 12 passengers.

During the winter whale migration season, our close encounter whale watching tour takes guests on a 1.5 to 2-hour excursion out through the Knysna Heads and along the beautiful coastline in search of the majestic giants of the sea,Humpback and Southern Right whales and other marine life.

During the summer months, our marine eco-tours follow a similar route and serves to highlight the area’s immense variety of marine life which includes the Indo-pacific Humpback dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, Common dolphins, Seals, Penguins, and a myriad of pelagic birds.

Our vessels depart daily (sea and weather conditions permitting) from Thesen Island marina and run three scheduled trips daily–09h30, 12h00 & 15h00 – or more if required.

LOCATION

TH22 Long Street, Thesen Island Harbour Town, Knysna, Garden Route,
Western Cape
34° 2′ 54.2″ S | 23° 2′ 51.3″ E.