Marine Dynamics Shark and Whale Tours Earns Blue Flag Status for Three of their Eco-Tourism Vessels for the 2025/2026 Season
Marine Dynamics Shark & Whale Tours is proud to announce that all three of its custom-built eco-tourism vessels - Slashfin, Dream Catcher, and Whale Whisperer - have once again been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag eco-label for the 2025/2026 season.
The announcement was made during the WESSA Blue Flag and Green Coast Annual Awards Ceremony, held this year in Port Alfred, celebrating municipalities, partners, and organisations committed to upholding South Africa’s highest standards of environmental management and sustainable coastal tourism.
Representing Marine Dynamics were Wilfred Chivell, CEO of Marine Dynamics; Skipper Dickie Chivell; and Marine Guide Susy Alexander.
The Blue Flag Programme, operated under the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and coordinated locally by WESSA, is recognised internationally as a trusted symbol of excellence in environmental stewardship, safety, and sustainable tourism. South Africa was among the first countries to extend the Blue Flag criteria to tourism boats in 2016 - a milestone shaped by Marine Dynamics CEO, Wilfred Chivell, and the late Ted Knott of WESSA, who pioneered the inclusion of marine vessels in the programme.
For Marine Dynamics, maintaining Blue Flag status is not just an accolade - it’s a legacy of conservation. As custodians of the Greater Dyer Island Area, the company continues to lead by example in responsible tourism and marine protection.
“Achieving and maintaining Blue Flag status for our vessels is a testament to our unwavering commitment to ocean conservation,” says Wilfred Chivell, CEO of Marine Dynamics and Founder of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust. “This recognition reflects our dedication to world-class marine tourism and our responsibility to preserve these extraordinary ecosystems for future generations.”
Each of Marine Dynamics’ vessels has been custom-designed for eco-tourism, balancing comfort, safety, and environmental responsibility.
• Dream Catcher was the first boat in South Africa designed specifically for whale watching. Built for comfort and safety, it is surveyed annually by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and licensed for 50 passengers and 6 crew. The vessel is spacious and stable, featuring two onboard toilets, an upper observation deck for photography enthusiasts, a PA system, and a hydrophone that allows guests to listen to the whales underwater.
• Slashfin, used for shark cage diving, and Whale Whisperer, used for marine eco-tours, are also Blue Flag-certified vessels, meticulously maintained and operated under strict environmental and safety standards.
Each trip with Marine Dynamics is led by the best crew, trained spotters, and onboard marine biologists, ensuring that every guest enjoys an educational, responsible, and inspiring encounter with the Marine Big 5 - whales, sharks, dolphins, seals, and penguins.
The Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards highlight the collective commitment of partners working to maintain clean, safe, and sustainable coastal environments. As Mike Denison, Senior Manager: Coastal Programmes at WESSA, stated:
“The Blue Flag and Green Coast programmes are not just eco-labels, but living partnerships that connect people, planet, and prosperity. Healthy ecosystems underpin sustainable tourism, livelihoods, and resilience. Together, we are shaping a future where coastal spaces are accessible, equitable, and beneficial to all.”
As Marine Dynamics celebrates 25 years of purpose-driven eco-tourism, this achievement reaffirms its leadership in sustainable marine operations and its ongoing collaboration with WESSA to inspire ocean stewardship.
Join us in Gansbaai for a Blue Flag-certified adventure with Marine Dynamics Shark & Whale Tours - where every experience contributes to the protection of the ocean, the advancement of marine research through the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, and a shared commitment to “People Caring for the Earth.”
Source: https://sharkwatchsa.com/
