12 Hermanus Whale Watching in Cape Town to Build a Day Around

1.Hermanus Whale Watching Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 378 reviews · 7 hours · from $221Our pick

Travel from Cape Town to Gansbaai, then cruise toward Hermanus and De Kelders on a speedboat limited to 25 people. Look for Southern Right Whales, humpbacks, dolphins, seals, penguins, and orcas, with guides, hotel transfers, drinks, and snacks included.

“The trip was absolutely incredible! It was organized with such attention to detail that every moment felt special. I was especially thrilled with our driver, Tyrone—he was even better than the guide! During our drives, he found the most stunning photo stops and captivated us with fascinating local stories. And can you believe it? We even got to see penguins waddling in their natural habitat! But the highlight of the adventure? Whale watching! After years of waiting, I finally spotted a whale! It was such an exhilarating experience!”

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2.Cruise with Shark Cage Dive and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 184 reviews · 1 day · from $168

Join White Shark Ventures from Kleinbaai Harbour for a full day at sea near Shark Alley. A shark expert such as Weehaan explains the animals, while you take turns in a four or five person cage. Breakfast, lunch, wetsuits, drinks, and hot showers are included. Great whites are possible, not guaranteed.

“Overall good - very nice service. But not many shark whne we was on the sea”

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3.Full Day Guided Hermanus and Whale Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 155 reviews · from $51Best value

Travel from Cape Town to Hermanus in a small group of up to 18, with an English-speaking guide such as Louis or Brahm. Expect a scenic coastal drive, Rotary Way views, free time in Hermanus, an urban tasting of Hemel-en-Aarde wines, and a stop at Peregrine Farm Stall. Whale cruises are optional and seasonal.

“Brahm our Guide was incredible! Although no whales seen it was an interesting and knowledgeable trip!”

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4.Full-Day Hermanus Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 119 reviews · 1 day · from $120

Travel from Cape Town in a small group of up to eight with a registered English, French, or German-speaking guide. Visit Harold Porter Botanical Gardens, Hermanus, Elgin, and Sir Lowry’s Pass, with time for shore-based whale watching and an optional boat trip.

“Nice trip. Hermanas is lovely. Nice coastline. Unfortunately no whales and no boats as it was windy. Still a beautiful place”

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5.Whale Watching Tour in Hermanus and Gansbaai

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 110 reviews · 2 hours · from $249

Join Ivanhoe Sea Safaris for a full-day Cape Town outing to Gansbaai, with a 2-hour whale-watching boat trip, coastal stops, Hermanus time, and a Peregrine Farm Stall visit. Guides such as Neil, Bruce, and Muammer are praised for local insight and flexible routing.

“Fab day with Neil our guide. He was so informative, friendly and professional. Our original trip was cancelled at the last minute due to rough sea but the company managed to book us on a trip from Hermanus for the same day. There is nothing about the trip I would change.”

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6.Hermanus Whale Watching Full Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 30 reviews · 8h 30m · from $68

Travel from Cape Town to Hermanus with an English-speaking guide, stopping at Rotary Way for Walker Bay views, enjoying free time and an urban wine tasting, and visiting Peregrine Farm Store. Whale cruises are optional, seasonal, and best booked ahead for noon.

“Entertaining and informative guide. Just the right amount of time in beautiful Hermanus.”

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7.Cape Agulhas, Hermanus & Stoney point Penguins full Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 10 hours · from $224

Spend 10 hours with a private English- or French-speaking guide, visiting Stony Point penguins, Hermanus, Elim, and Cape Agulhas. Taste Pinot noir and Chardonnay in Hemel en Aarde, climb South Africa’s second-oldest lighthouse, and return to Cape Town by hotel transfer.

“Absolutely wonderful day. Xochitle was an amazing guide who now feels like a friend. She arranged for a wonderful lunch at Hermanus, showed us all the sights, and just overall is a lovely person. Yes, it was a very long day, but welll planned. I highly recommend this tour.”

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8.Hermanus Whale Watching Tour with Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 7 reviews · from $317

Join an English-speaking driver-guide from Cape Town to Hermanus, passing Langa, Khayelitsha, Stellenbosch, Somerset West, Sir Lowry’s Pass, and Steenbras Dam before a 2 to 3 hour whale boat trip. Laetitia has earned special praise for her South Africa history knowledge. Bring warm layers for the 9am departure.

“Very expensive for what it is, poor management of registrations, the office where we were supposed to go did not identify us, they sent us elsewhere and after several phone calls we finally returned to the starting point, no excuses, we missed the basic debriefing and almost missed the start ... The information was very limited and accessible only to people on the upper pontoon. In case of bad weather they should perhaps cancel, poor visibility and the animals less visible ...”

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9.Cape Agulhas, Hermanus whales & Wine Tasting Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 6 reviews · 10 hours · from $264

Leave Cape Town at 6:30 AM for Cape Agulhas, Stony Point penguins, Hermanus whale watching, Khayelitsha, and Stellenbosch wine tasting. An English or French-speaking guide, air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and hotel pickup are included. Whale sightings are seasonal, and boat trips cost extra.

“It was an amazing trip visiting the southernmost tip of Africa where Atlantic and Indian oceans meet each other. Beautiful landscapes along the way, especially in Hermanus where one can watch not only mountains and ocean but also whales. Very competent and kind guide. I definitely recommend this trip.”

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10.Hermanus Whale Watching Tour with Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $219

Travel from Cape Town to Hermanus with a private guide and driver, explore the whale walk, then spend 2 to 3 hours at sea looking for Southern Right and Humpback whales. Guides such as Darlington and Nwabisa have also added flexible stops at Betty’s Bay, Kirstenbosch, and other sights.

“All in all, a successful day. We were picked up on time by our friendly driver, the whale watching tour was informative and we got really close to the animals, plus we saw tons of dolphins. Then a nice stay in Hermanus, coastal walk recommended! On the way back, we made a quick stop at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden - thanks to Rasheed!”

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11.Hermanus Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.2 · 5 reviews · 8 hours · from $218

Travel from Cape Town to Hermanus for a boat trip seeking Southern Right whales, humpbacks, and Bryde’s whales, then taste wine at Benguela Cove. Guide Reagan adds local stories and can adjust the day when weather changes. Boat fees and meals cost extra.

“On September 09, 2024, my daughter and I had the opportunity to book with TOS Travel Tours for a Whale watching and wine tasting tour. Regan was our tour guide and the experience was beyond what I imagined. First of all, Regan was punctual, texting us that he arrived at our hotel promptly at the pre arranged time. About an hour into the travel time to Hermanus, he stopped for bathroom break and coffee. The place we stopped for the break was clean and a full grocery store for whatever food items desired. The whale watching tour company was organized and efficient. There was a brief introduction and explanation about…”

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12.Private Tour: Hermanus- Boat Based Whale Watching Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 9 hours · from $370

You’ll ride in a private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide to Hermanus, stopping at Stony Point penguin colony before a shared whale-watching cruise. Leonard may guide your day, with coastal views, onboard snacks, seaside lunch, and a glass of bubbly on the return.

“A great day full of wonderful experiences. We felt safe and welcomed and got a lot of information about this wonderfull part of the world.”

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