 |
Danie's tractor Moby's Dick launching his boats Advantage Charter 1 & 11 on the beach in St Lucia.
Transported down to the beach with a Unimog or Blazer to go whale watching with renowned skipper/guide Danie Bennett aboard the Advantage Charter St Lucia - the only LEGAL boat based whale watching permit holder |
 |
|
Launching through the surf at St Lucia to go whale watching with skipper/guide Danie Bennett
ADVANTAGE CRUISER operates 7 days a week, the journey lasts for 2 hours, and if need be, departure times can be negotiated to suit demand . |
|
Our concession allows us to operate within a pristine part of the Wetland Park, and the boat complies with all the Park Authorities’ regulations and Department of Transport and SAMSA (South African Marine Safety Authority) Permits |
|
WHALE WATCHING |
 |
 |
 |
This is something exceptionally special, and anyone that is wanting a memory to last beyond a lifetime should pay us a visit .
Our ocean going boat, the ADVANTAGE CHARTER, a 9m+ hard hulled vessel , is built eco-friendly with passenger safety and comfort in mind 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.
|
 |
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. |
THE WHALES migrate pass this stretch of coastline between the months of mid May to mid December annually , to calf and breed in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, moving as far as Mozambique and Madagaskar before making the journey back to the Antarctic.
You may be fortunate to witness a 40ton acrobatic HUMPBACK WHALE breaching a mere 50 meters away from the boat !!!! or maybe just swimming alongside the vessel . |
| |
 |
SHARING TIME WITH THESE PLAYFUL GENTLE GIANTS OF THE OCEAN IS A SOUL –STIRRING EXPERIENCE, AN INVESTMENT YOU MAKE IN YOUR OWN LIFE, AND SOMETHING NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN.
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 and cetacea . |
 |
| |
It is advisable to bring ::an extra warm jacket, although we issue lifejackets and raincoats always dress in warm comfortable quick drying clothes, bring along a 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.
From the time that you meet at the office till 3 hours later when you return from your trip , cameramen will be taking video footage of yourself and your sightings and a personalized DVD of yourself aboard the Advantage Charter can be bought at the WHALE SHOP about an hour after your return
ADVANTAGE has a legal filming permit from Marine and Coastal Management allowing then to film and photograph whales . It's worth investing in this personalized DVD, as we cannot always guarantee that your own camera equipment is not going to be water damaged when we have seaspray on the boat . If you do however bring your own camera ,wrap it in an extra plastic bag .
Danie , Bien and Berno has a treasure - house full of knowledge about the Whales, and will give a full educational talk of- for instance : what part of the whale was used decades ago to make a ladies’ corset ? etc, and then a hydrophone on board will allow you to on occasion listen to the whales singing which can bring a tear to your eyes.
If you have been out at sea with Danie for the entire 2 hours and you have NOT seen any whale , you will get 40% of your money refunded the moment you return to the office.
Please do make sure that you go with a legal operator like ADVANTAGE, South Africa only DOES have 9 legal Boat Based Whale Watching permit holders, of which Advantage is currently still the only in KwaZulu Natal, it is the clients obligation to ensure their operator has the legal permit from Marine and Coastal Management . Don't hesitate to ask your operator for his permit. |
ST LUCIA ESTUARY - HIPPOS AND CROCS ...... BIRDLIFE GALORE! |
| |
|
TOURS AND TARIFFS |
|
Description |
Cost |
(departure times to be confirmed with the office,but mostly early morning) |
WHALE and DOLPHIN WATCHING
2 hours aboard the ADVANTAGE CHARTER with renowned skipper and specialized Marine Mammal Guide ,Danie Bennett to see 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 fun you will have with your clothes on!
(** a certain percentage of your rate will be refunded in cash straight after the trip if you haven't seen a whale after 2 hours on the ocean **) |
R660-00(**)
(** a certain percentage refunded if you have NOT seen any whale after 2 hours on the ocean**) |
Departure to confirm at the office |
Marine Mammal Experience
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 seeing turtles, sharks, dolphins, pelagic sea birds, flying fish. Depending on wind conditions we will visit the Jolly Rubino shipwreck. An educational talk on the 2nd highest vegetated dunes in the World. |
R350.00 pp |
+/-6h00 |
Deep-sea Fishing - Advantage Charter
(32ft Yeld cat)(2x250HP Suzuki engins)
(A full day of game, bill and bottom fishing with experienced skipper Danie - all bait and tackle supplied - just bring own food & drinks) WHAT YOU CATCH IS YOURS TO KEEP !!!! |
R550.00 p/p
|
+/-05h00 |
Umfolozi/Hluhluwe Game Reserve
(A full day of game viewing the Big 5 in two of the oldest Game Reserves in Africa - price includes a full lunch , tea/coffee/juice & rusks at breakfast time, soft drinks throughout the day , entrance fees ,and a qualified guide ) |
R685.00 p/p |
08H00 |
Cape Vidal Snorkel Safari
(A full day of snorkeling at one of the most beautiful beaches on the North Coast - view stops en route - walking trails etc. Prices includes tea/coffee & rusks at breakfast time , soft drinks throughout the day , a full lunch , snorkels equipment , a qualified guide , gate entrance fees .) |
R425.00 p/p |
+/-9h00
**departure times can change according to demand/tide/season or weather -please check with the office** |
Hippo & Croc Tour - Advantage Cruiser
(2 Hours to explore the St Lucia Estuary with skipper Riëtte, Dave or Berno for hippos, crocs, fish-eagle, heron, mangroves, kingfishers, mud skippers etc.A fulfilling educational relaxing trip) Bar & toilet facilities on board |
R140.00 p/p Children under 10years half price/under 2years no charge |
+/-12h00 |
Hippo & Croc Tour - Advantage Cruiser
(2 Hours to explore the St Lucia Estuary with qualified skipper Riëtte/Berno or Dave for hippos, crocs, fish eagle, heron, mangroves, kingfishers, mud skippers etc. Bar & toilet facilities on board |
R140.00 p/p Children under 10 years half price /under 2years no charge |
+/-15h00 |
Hippo & Croc Tour - Advantage Cruiser (Winter)(mid Apr-mid Sept)
(2 Hours to explore the St Lucia Estuary with skipper Riëtte, Dave or Berno for hippos, crocs, fish eagle, heron, mangroves, kingfishers, mud skippers etc. Relax and hear about the Wetland Park and what she has to offer . |
R140.00 p/p |
+/-16h00 |
Hippo & Croc Tour - Advantage Cruiser (Summer)(mid Sept-mid Apr)
(2 Hours to explore the St Lucia Estuary with skipper Riëtte , Berno or Dave for hippos, crocs, fish eagle, heron, mangroves, kingfishers, mud skippers etc.The boat has bar and toilet facility |
R140.00 p/p |
20H00 |
Night Drive
+ 3 Hours(within the Eastern Shores to view nocturnal animals with a qualified guide) |
R285-00p/p |
Midnight |
Turtle Tours(seasonal)
(Nov - March) - Enquire at office |
R660.00 p/p for 2007 (rates will increase according to consession) |
Saturday
15H00 |
Crocodile feeding
At the Croc Centre |
R30.00 p/p |
Wed
18H30 |
Crocodile feeding
At the Croc Centre (Summers only - the crocs don't feed well at night in Winter |
R30.00 p/p |
Every day |
Khula Cultural Tour |
R180.00 p/p |
Every day
(weather and tide permitting) |
Horse Riding -
Enjoy the beach on horseback accompanied by a qualified guide and rider or into the Eastern Shores of St Lucia.
|
R170p/p(1 hour on the beach)
R280p/p(2 hours on the beach)
R170p/p(1 hour Game Ride)
R340-p/p(2 hours Game Ride) |
Every day |
Birdwatching Walking trail
(+/-3 hours) |
from R120-00.00p/p |
A minimum number of passengers necessary before a tour will commence. |
|
MAP |
 |
|
