Explore Our Experiences
Tuna Tagging
If you are looking to make a tangible contribution to ground-breaking marine conservation efforts, Honey Guide invites you to join our Yellowfin Tuna, Thunnus albacares, Tagging Pioneer Expedition in Cape Town. With pelagic fish still vastly understudied and their movements largely unknown, this at-cost pilot trip gives you the chance to support essential tagging work and help shape a new conservation initiative from day one,
yellowfin
Step Into the Mission
This pioneer expedition centres on hands-on marine research, giving you the rare chance to work alongside scientists as you deploy satellite tags on yellowfin tuna. Each tag lets you follow the tuna’s movements across global oceans — creating a lasting connection to the science you helped initiate.
Based in Cape Town, this experience includes private beach villas, in-house chefs, guided botanical walks on Table Mountain, and curated local activities. This at-cost pilot trip blends meaningful conservation work with luxury in one of the world’s most iconic coastal destinations.
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Rates are tailored according to your selected accommodation and season.
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The base package includes 5–6 nights. Enquire for options on shorter or extended stays.
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South African sumer months: November to March.
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Group size 6pax maximum. Enquire about smaller bookings.
ADVENTURE AWAITS…
Head out with marine biologists to catch and satellite-tag tuna, contributing directly to vital ocean research.
Enjoy educational talks from expert scientists who unpack tuna behaviour, migration and conservation.
Stay in private coastal villas offering quiet luxury and uninterrupted ocean views.
Experience the culinary creations of a dedicated private chef, with personalised menus and wine pairings tailored to your group’s tastes and preferences.
Explore the Cape Winelands with curated tastings at select, world-class estates.
Discover Cape Town’s cultural heartbeat through guided city experiences and local storytellers.
Hike Table Mountain with botanists who reveal the unique fynbos and ancient coastal ecology.
End each day with calm connection: sea-side sunsets, exceptional meals and space to unwind in nature.
Yellowfin Tuna, Thunnus albacares
Private accommodation in handpicked eco-lodges
Daily field excursions and guided game drives
All meals and select local beverages
Airport transfers and local transport
Expert conservation leaders and field specialists
What's Included?
International flights
Travel insurance
Visas and vaccination requirements
Personal purchases and gratuities
What's NOT?
YOUR JOURNEY
Every part of this experience is fully bespoke and tailored to your group. Whether you’re interested in botanical walks in the mountains, tracing Cape Town’s deep cultural and historical landmarks, diving into its world-class food and wine scene, or spending slow days along the coastline, we shape the itinerary entirely around what excites you most. Our network of specialist guides, historians, photographers, and researchers allows us to craft days that feel meaningful, unhurried, and designed just for you.
Cape Town’s rich offshore waters support some of the most dynamic pelagic ecosystems in Southern Africa. From the slopes of the Table Mountain Nature Reserve to the deep canyons off Cape Point, this region forms a critical migration corridor for yellowfin tuna, making it an ideal base for dedicated tagging expeditions.
Exclusive Lodging
We work exclusively with private villas — no shared spaces or tourist crowds. Together, we’ll choose a property that suits your preferences and group size. Each lodge is fully staffed, offering complete privacy, comfort, and a seamless experience from start to finish.
We take our food seriously. Expect a modernised take on South African classics, prepared by private chefs, and tailored to your dietary needs and preferences. Enjoy a curated wine list from exceptional South African estates, craft cocktails, and slow, fireside evenings.
WHY WE SUPPORT tuna tagging
Tuna are vital predators in the open ocean, helping maintain healthy marine ecosystems, yet their populations have declined dramatically. Globally, yellowfin tuna biomass has dropped by over 50%, and in the Indian Ocean some stocks have fallen by 70% due to overfishing.
Despite their importance, very few tuna have ever been satellite-tagged in South African waters — fewer than a dozen long-term deployments have been successful — leaving a huge gap in our understanding of their migratory routes, seasonal behaviours, and environmental needs. Without this data, management plans remain reactive rather than preventative, putting pressure on an already vulnerable species.
Satellite tagging is one of the most effective ways to fill these gaps, recording not just location but depth, temperature, and ocean currents, revealing how tuna use their environment and respond to climate and human pressures. Each deployment is a specialised, resource-intensive operation. Funds from your trip directly support this research, contributing to collaborative efforts that safeguard tuna populations and the marine ecosystems they sustain.
Organisations WHO MAKE THIS POSSIBLE
Toby Rodgers, a leading researcher with Shark Spotters, is central to making our shark and tuna tagging experiences possible. His work focuses on tracking the movement, behaviour, and ecology of South Africa’s migratory shark species, providing the scientific foundation for these operations. Toby’s expertise ensures each tagging expedition is conducted safely, ethically, and with meaningful conservation value. His guidance gives guests rare insight into the world of marine research and the critical role these species play in South Africa’s ocean ecosystems.
