FAQ
General Questions
It’s a 2 hour guided tour. Starting and finishing at the Simon’s Town Wharf.
Not very. If you can do a one-hour walk, then you can do this. It’s only when it’s very windy that the trip becomes quite strenuous. And if it’s very windy, we don’t go out – unless you want to do some wind wave surfing, which IS for the fit and adventurous.
We have 10 double kayaks, so 20 people max. If your group is more than that, we normally split the group so that half paddle the outward leg, meet the rest on the beach, and then swap so that the other half paddle back.
You absolutely can. 99% of our customers have never even been in a kayak before.
Of course. Children younger than 9 usually aren’t the strongest paddlers so the guardian/adult with them needs to be prepared to do most of the work.
Like we said, if you can do a one-hour walk, then you can do it. We’ve had many older customers, and as long as you feel good you’ll be fine.
Over 120 kg is probably pushing it. We allow max 200 kg in total for both paddlers in a kayak.
Nothing is guaranteed in nature apart from it being a magical experience. You can look forward to possibly seeing the following:
- African Penguin
- Cape Fur seal
- Cormorants (4 species)
- Black oyster catcher
- Seagulls (obviously)
- Fish (yes, the visibility is mad)
- Good looking guides (guaranteed, obviously)
- Sea star/starfish (low tide mostly)
- Octopus (if you’re lucky)
- Octopus eaten by seal (if you’re very lucky)
- Whales, mostly in whale season (Humpback, Southern Right, Bryde’s Whale, Orca)
- Sunfish (if you’re wide awake)
- Smaller shark species, but very rare
- Dolphins
- Baboons
Unfortunately not, we only offer guided tours.
Almost certainly not, because our kayaks are very stable. About three people a year (on average) fall in, and that’s usually because they are messing about. It’s also very easy to get back on, and because we’re in False Bay, the water is not too cold.
We use incredibly stable two-person sit-on-top kayaks. We find that people who have never paddled before become immediately comfortable because they don’t feel constricted as they would in a sit-inside type of kayak, and they also feel that should they fall off, it would be easy to get back on. They like the fact that they are sharing the paddling with another person — usually their partner.
We used to have a gladiator-style battle to the death to get rid of that one odd person out, but while it proved very popular, it simply took too long — so these days you will either be paired with a guide or with another person from an odd-numbered group.
Ideally, wear shorts and a T-shirt. Bring a hat and sunscreen, too. You can go barefoot, but sandals are a good idea (not flip flops, as they tend to come off when you walk in water). You will get wet, so bring a towel and a change of clothes for afterwards. In winter, longs like tracksuit bottoms and a sweater or windbreaker is advised. Quick-dry clothing is recommended rather than cotton.
You’d probably think summer only, right? But you’d be wrong: all-year round is best. Summer, of course, offers warm sun and warm water — but it also brings many windy days. Winter, on the other hand, is cooler but offers many calm, warm, beautiful days. In winter there is also a good chance of seeing whales. So, to answer the question: the best time of year to paddle, is the time you are available to do it.
We take every precaution to provide the safest trip available. With qualified and well-experienced guides, you can be sure that we have safety as the highest priority.
Please send a WhatAapp to 065 707 44 44.
Booking Questions
You can book directly online – Book now
A day before is normally sufficient, but the longer in advance the better.
R450 per adult and R400 for anyone under the age of 18
The trip leaves from Simon’s Town Waterfront and there is a car park right there. A local landmark is Bertha’s Restaurant (check it out on Google Maps). Please plan to arrive around 15 minutes prior to your scheduled trip time. You should also always WhatsApp or text the number supplied on your booking confirmation an hour before trip time to check the weather, because if the conditions are adverse, the trip may be postponed.
Online bookings are paid via credit card or debit card directly through the system, but if that fails we have a Yoco account for a quick and easy payment method.
You must always text us in the morning before you leave for the trip to check the weather. If it’s cancelled, then we try and get you on the next nice day (if you can make it). If you cannot postpone, you get a full refund. Note that a rainy day is not “bad weather” — only a windy day is.
- If we cancel the trip due to bad weather it’s a 100% refund.
- No show – full charge/no refund.
- Less than 48 hours notice – full charge/no refund.
- More than 48 hours notice – no charge/full refund.