"Guys" the voice grew louder. "At number 5, a dolphin"(Code speak; clock direction. Imagine the confusion on the boat if they just said, "A dolphin, there!"). 

The trip was bust. For me at least. Other people would spot all the dolphins and sharks (and possibly whales if they defied their usual July arrival date) and I'd be stuck on the chair, enduring the ocean spray, with my barf bag close at hand. 

Then suddenly, someone spotted something. A dolphin.

I perked up but didn't make any sudden movements, all the better to coddle my acidic oesophagus. But more dolphins started popping up around our boat, the Whale Whisperer. And I had to get over my sea sickness to see the genial sea creatures, just for a moment.

We started the cruise hoping to spot a whale. Our Dyer Island Cruises' guide had heard rumours of these ocean mammals popping up unexpectedly at other popular whale watching waters. It'd be a coup, Kleinbaai (boating from Danger Point to Quoin Point) is possibly the only place you can spot both the whale and the great white shark in one trip.

After the dolphin spotting I retreated to feeling sorry for myself. The sea sickness was completely jarring and unexpected. I'd taken one of those tablets that's supposed to take care of you in situations like these.

One of the crew members, Kwezi tried to help me. We'd been told he's a genius with queasy situations. He helped me scope out the horizon to focus on, as that's supposed to help. 

Soon we reached fur haven, Geyser Island. A colony of about 40 000 seals have made this their permanent home. The island resemble a large, live fur blanket. Creepy, but interesting enough to get me off my funk for a while. 

If you plan to see the lovely seals be warned; at other times the wind might not blow towards the island as was the case with us. It may blow towards you, which may have you cursing the fur seal pluming.

Finally, Dyer Island, home to vulnerable African Penguins. The boat approached close enough for us to see the birds in action. Some ran around while others lay eggs in their specially provided nest boxes.

The boxes were brought down to mimic burrows and provide penguins with shelter from the sun and protect their eggs from predatory birds.

You can adopt a family of penguins by buying them a nest box. Human access is restricted on the island itself - so no picnics with your adopted family. 

We made our way back, some of us still queasy. But that didn't mean we got any less excited when we spotted great white sharks. They came so close to our boat, I could see their teeth just a meter or so from me.

They weren't whales but they were exciting none the less. And in the excitement I didn't even have to look at the horizon to keep myself together.

Hopefully you won't be as sea sick as I am when you visit, but it doesn't really matter when you witness these amazing sea creatures.

Want the marine experience without the queasy feeling? Check out these holiday packages.