Drumbeat Charters
Drumbeat Charters
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About
Drumbeat Charters has been operating since 1989 and is based in the famous fishing village of Hout Bay offering daily scenic cruises to one of Cape Town’s main attractions. While aboard you are surrounded with breath-taking scenery of the famous Chapmans Peak Drive and the Sentinel Mountain. Drumbeat caters for local and international clients and has information leaflets about the seals available in 26 different languages. The vessel, Drumbeat II has been purposefully designed and built in Cape Town for the sea and weather conditions off the Cape coast. The entire vessel is constructed out of marine grade aluminum. She is twenty one meters in length and has two inboard 400 Cummins diesel engines. Licensed to carry 118 passengers she has 2 toilets on board, a licensed bar and inside and outside seating. Please note that Drumbeat II is also wheelchair friendly.
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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.
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4.0
106 reviews
Excellent
41
Very good
43
Average
14
Poor
5
Terrible
3
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Gourmet Sport
95 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
It was amazing and safe on Drumbeat. Great crew. We booked only and bought an extra ticket at the turquoise office in Hout bay, next to Cape Town, South Africa. From there we did the one hour trip to seal island and to the shipwreck. The boat stopped at the seal colony and we had time to take photos of the seals. We saw many seals on the seal colony and dolphins and whales. Amazing experience . Also the views at the mountains was impressive. The scenery and the bay along Chapman‘s peak was a once in a lifetime experience. The Captain was very skilled and took us close to the seal colony island.
Perfect for families and elderly people as well. The crew speaks many languages so the international guests enjoyed the tour.
Perfect for families and elderly people as well. The crew speaks many languages so the international guests enjoyed the tour.
Written 4 April 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.
Gourmet Sport
95 contributions
May 2023 • Family
Best tour ever. Seal island , Chapman‘s peak, Hout Bay, Cape Town.
Amazing Ocean Safari . Have seen whales, dolphins and lots of seals.
Very well trained Crew and high safety. Enjoyed a cold drink at the bar.
Tour went as far as to the legendary shipwreck . We were impressed ! It was great
Leaves from Hout Bay Harbour, Cape Town, South Africa .
Free parking next to the boat.
Amazing Ocean Safari . Have seen whales, dolphins and lots of seals.
Very well trained Crew and high safety. Enjoyed a cold drink at the bar.
Tour went as far as to the legendary shipwreck . We were impressed ! It was great
Leaves from Hout Bay Harbour, Cape Town, South Africa .
Free parking next to the boat.
Written 30 June 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.
Lauren Ardagh
1 contribution
Nov 2020 • Friends
Wow! An absolutely stunning trip to Chapman's Peak! We wanted do to something different so booked a group of us to go. Would 100% recommend! Stunning view, friendly staff, FULL BAR.. a lovely surprise! I usually get sea sick but had no problem on this charter. Would definitely take another trip.
Written 1 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.
Fearless48651413516
1 contribution
Jan 2024 • Family
I booked beforehand the 1 hour trip on January 19 at 12 o'clock, the only trip of that morning that would go through to the shipwreck. it was very disappointing, as the boat only left at 12h15, didn't go to the shipwreck and was back in 50 minutes. It was meant to be a special trip for my brother in law (from The Netherlands) who turned 75 on that day and who was very much interested to see the shipwreck as well. A guide on board advised me to request a refund as we hadn't got what we booked for, which we did at the office on shore. They took my banking details and promised to send the request to the financial department. It is a week later now and I didn't hear anything yet.
This was a very disappointing trip and is very disappointing service as well.
This was a very disappointing trip and is very disappointing service as well.
Written 27 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.
Bronwen Milford
1 contribution
Jan 2024 • Couples
I had a frustrating experience with Drumbeat Charters. After confirming the tour time for Seal Island in Hout Bay, I arrived for the 15h15 cruise only to find out it was canceled. Instead, I was directed to a nearby competitor to purchase a ticket.
What bothered me most was that the weather seemed fine for other companies, making it puzzling why Drumbeat Charters couldn't provide the promised service. This situation not only inconvenienced me but unintentionally promoted a competitor.
When coming back they were closed where all other competitors were still open and operating.
What bothered me most was that the weather seemed fine for other companies, making it puzzling why Drumbeat Charters couldn't provide the promised service. This situation not only inconvenienced me but unintentionally promoted a competitor.
When coming back they were closed where all other competitors were still open and operating.
Written 9 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.
Maria Renata J
1 contribution
Feb 2024 • Family
The boat left despite the sea being unconditional. People fell along the way, giant waves, traumatic. We could barely pay attention to the seals we were so scared. They should have canceled it but they continued anyway. Elderly people felt sick, people fell to the ground.
Written 16 February 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.
AndyP1998
Wakefield, UK1 096 contributions
Jan 2020
Must admit didn’t appreciate what we were off to see. Very relaxing journey out to Seal Island. Blessed by calm waters. Loved the way the sea changed from green to blue. Excellent commentary. Unbelievable what awaited us. 000s of seals both on the island and in the water. Skipper allowed plenty of time for photo opportunities.
Written 24 January 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.
We are so glad you enjoyed our trip.
Hope to see you on board again with us in the future.
Written 27 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
BOFA BOY
Bridge of Allan, UK1 422 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
Thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Chapmans Peak and then on to Seal Island. The only slight complaint we had was that the loud speaker system on the boat could have been used a bit more to tell us more about the area. Other than that we really enjoyed it.
Written 1 January 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.
nafisab
Dubai, United Arab Emirates1 071 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
If you get seasick then this one is not for you on a rough day.
We had a lot of windchill and choppy waters too.
The boat takes you up near the island where some of the seals sit all huddled up soaking the sun whilst some enjoy splashing in and around the cool waters.
We had a lot of windchill and choppy waters too.
The boat takes you up near the island where some of the seals sit all huddled up soaking the sun whilst some enjoy splashing in and around the cool waters.
Written 27 July 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.
Ramakrishnan R
Mumbai, India849 contributions
May 2019
Nice to see these quaint animals in their own habitat. Free from the vicissitudes of human habitation, these creatures are living and prospering naturally. Very nice experience.
Written 5 May 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.
Do you have to book this beforehand? We are going end Sept, beginning of Oct, please let us know
Regards,
TitoRon
Written 10 February 2015
Hi TitoRon,
You do not have to make a booking beforehand, but if want a guaranteed date and time to take your family on drummbeat charteres, it's best you make a booking with them.
I've just checked their website for you, and they give that option at the bottom of the page, just under their prices.
I also saw that the current prices of R75 for adults and R30 for children is valid till 31 October 2015.
I hope this helps you.
Regards
Isaac
Written 11 February 2015
My son and I will be visiting Cape Town in March. We would like to take your boat tour of seal island.
Do we need advance reservations? What times are available? We are looking at Monday, March 16, 2015.
Written 27 January 2015
Hello
It will be recommended to make a booking so that you don't miss out
The times are listed on there website as well as number to contact them
Times are 8.30,9.15, 10, 10.45
Written 28 January 2015
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