African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary
African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary
African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary
4.5
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
The African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary (APSS) a project of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT) based in Gansbaai, South Africa. A state of the art facility, designed and built by passionate experts, that strives to provide local marine avian species with a local rehabilitative centre where injured, diseased or distressed birds can be treated and rehabilitated.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
177 reviews
Excellent
114
Very good
47
Average
14
Poor
1
Terrible
1
reinier b
5 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
During our visit to the southern coast of South Africa we stopped by at the Aftican Penguin Sanctuary in Gansbaai and we enjoyed very much to see how professionals and voluntary workers research and take care of hurt and ill penguins before re-introducing them back into the wild. Nice to see these little fellas (that we could only see here) and nice to see that are getting helped here in a professional way. Thanks to the sanctuary for showing us around the installations and for all the everyday work that they invest to help avoiding that these beautifull animals disappear.
Written 24 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Afrexplorer
Southampton, UK93 contributions
Jun 2022
This sanctuary provides a great sanctuary for penguins from Dyer Island and local sea birds, which are then returned to their natural habitat when they have recovered. Feeding time is the highlight when visiting. The centre has been designed to give ample viewing space, visitors are assured of a warm reception from the very helpful staff.
Written 6 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emarie B
Paarl, South Africa679 contributions
Dec 2020 • Family
They do good work. Never realised that this penguin is now endangered species due to lack of food due to over fishing. Excellent cakes. Feeding time is at 15h00.
Written 17 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eduardo
Dubai, United Arab Emirates10 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
I was touched by the hardwork and dedication of the sanctuary. The staff is very passionate about conservation of sea birds and I was lucky enough toi go on a behind the scenes tour.
They also have adorable gifts and a delicious coffee.
They also have adorable gifts and a delicious coffee.
Written 1 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sylvia M
Regensburg, Germany8 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
I was very impressed with the conservation efforts in South Africa in general. The Penguin sanctuary is one of them. Very small but it’s this little bit which makes a huge difference. Keep up with the great work....
Written 12 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Loruama B.
Oakland, CA606 contributions
Sept 2017 • Friends
This place is magical! Had no idea South Africa had penguins! There’s baby penguins and adult penguins. Beautiful to see them in their normal habitat. Specially on the beach... see them swim up to the beach and waddle unto the sand. They’re everywhere. Great for the entire family!
Written 13 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
boxerone
Austin, TX634 contributions
Aug 2015 • Solo
I came here to visit the first day I was volunteering with International Marine Volunteers with Marine Dynamics. I spent the next two weeks coming here every day for at least 3 hours and working on cleaning the Penguin living areas, crates, preparing food and eventually helping in the hospital (I work with my vets stateside.) The folks that work and volunteer here are here for the Love of the African Penguin. Their enthusiasm was infectious and inspired me. I left a sizable donation and I think anyone stopping here should try and leave whatever they can, ever bit helps!
This is a Great place to visit on any day and a perfect place to take children for a school visit. It is important to learn about the plight of the African Penguin and all that is being done to save them. The do a feeding on the main screens at 3pm everyday and this is a great time to come. Ask questions, they do not mind answering them at all!
They do have a WC (a very nice one), some cake and biscuits to eat and a cappuccino machine along with bottled water. There are plenty of Penguin related items to buy and please do as it all goes to APSS! APSS is right around the corner from Shark Alley so it is easy to visit and really a must see.
This is a Great place to visit on any day and a perfect place to take children for a school visit. It is important to learn about the plight of the African Penguin and all that is being done to save them. The do a feeding on the main screens at 3pm everyday and this is a great time to come. Ask questions, they do not mind answering them at all!
They do have a WC (a very nice one), some cake and biscuits to eat and a cappuccino machine along with bottled water. There are plenty of Penguin related items to buy and please do as it all goes to APSS! APSS is right around the corner from Shark Alley so it is easy to visit and really a must see.
Written 28 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DeboraH
Cape Town Central, South Africa50 contributions
Jul 2024 • Solo
They are absolutely adorable to see. A very worthwhile cause to support while in the area - have a cup of coffee and a chat - the staff are incredibly knowledgeable about the penguins. Feeding time at 3pm daily.
Written 8 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
geezers2
geezers253 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Anything that helps animals in distress is to be welcomed. This place is free to visit, you will learn so much from people who genuinely care for the creatures and what wildlife is experiencing in the world around us. You will see first hand the animals that would not be here without the care and commitment of these caring souls.
Written 4 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eicker
Cape Town, South Africa131 contributions
Jul 2020
Great experience and great to see the panguins up close. Sad to see them injured, but thats what the sanctuary is there for. Even some seagulls in the compound too. Well worth a visit
Written 6 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are you open today?
What time are feeding times?
Written 19 March 2017
Are you open today?
What time are feeding times?
Written 19 March 2017
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