Hermanus Whale Watching Shared Boat Trip and Private Wine Tour from Cape Town
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Cape Town, South Africa
- 10 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Spend a day whale watching and wine tasting on this private full-day trip to Hermanus from Cape Town. See migrating Southern Right Whales off the coast of Hermanus from June through mid-December. Sample some of the local wines at two estates.
- Private trip to Hermanus from Cape Town
- Enjoy a whale-watching excursion from Hermanus
- Visit 1 wine estates for wine tastings (included) and lunch (own expense)
- See a colony of African penguins at Stoney Point
What's Included
- Pick up and drop off at accommodation in Cape Town
- Private tour guide/driver, Vehicle and Fuel
- Bottled water onboard the vehicle
- Whale watching boat trip
- Stony point Penguins
- Lunch and Drinks
- Gratuities
- Wine Tasting fees
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Operating hours.6:30 am
Itinerary
Explore the gorgeous coastal scenery and wildlife of South Africa's Cape Whale Route with a private day trip from Cape Town to Hermanus. Enjoy round-trip transportation for you and your family in a luxury vehicle with your own knowledgeable guide/driver. Customize the tour if you like, or use the guide's recommendations.
Travel to the seaside community of Hermanus, world-famous for its excellent whale watching. Embark on a boat trip to look for Southern Right Whales, which mate and give birth in this area each year. Marvel at the size of these majestic whales, which often come close to the boats and can even be seen from land. Enjoy light refreshments aboard the boat.
Stop at two wine estates en route back to Cape Town for wine tastings and/or lunch (own expense). Choose the estates you'd like to visit, with Newton-Johnson Family Vineyards and Creation Wines among the options.
Check out the colony of African penguins at Stoney Point. Learn about these unique birds. Return to Cape Town via scenic Route 44 and get dropped off at your accommodation.
Travel to the seaside community of Hermanus, world-famous for its excellent whale watching. Embark on a boat trip to look for Southern Right Whales, which mate and give birth in this area each year. Marvel at the size of these majestic whales, which often come close to the boats and can even be seen from land. Enjoy light refreshments aboard the boat.
Stop at two wine estates en route back to Cape Town for wine tastings and/or lunch (own expense). Choose the estates you'd like to visit, with Newton-Johnson Family Vineyards and Creation Wines among the options.
Check out the colony of African penguins at Stoney Point. Learn about these unique birds. Return to Cape Town via scenic Route 44 and get dropped off at your accommodation.
Cape Town Central (Pass By)
1
Southern Right Charters
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
2
Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
3
Stony Point Nature Reserve
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Cape Town Central (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.6
based on 41 reviews
Gabor_V, Sep 2025
Everything went smooth, whale watching was a great experience! Wine tasting was superior, the wines, the place and the food as well. Our guide was nice, flexible, with a huge amount of information and data. The whole trip gave us a full day of amazing adventures.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Dear Gabor,
🌊🐋 Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that your Hermanus Whale Watching & Private Wine Tour from Cape Town exceeded expectations. Seeing the majestic whales in Hermanus is always a breathtaking highlight, and pairing it with a world-class Stellenbosch & Franschhoek wine tasting 🍷 truly makes for the perfect day.
We’re thrilled you enjoyed not only the whales, but also the superb wines, beautiful estates, and delicious food. Your kind words about our guide’s flexibility, friendliness, and knowledge mean the world to us—we pride ourselves on creating luxury small-group tours 🚐 that feel personal, seamless, and unforgettable.
We can’t wait to welcome you back to explore even more—whether it’s a Cape Peninsula adventure to the Cape of Good Hope, a Garden Route safari 🦁, or a Robben Island & Table Mountain tour.
With gratitude,
Evelyn Ntombela
🌟 Guest Relations Manager | Beyond Africa Safaris
Scott_G, Aug 2025
Seas were rough but definately saw Wright Whales. Followed up with a great lunch at a great winery. Well done.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Dear Scott,
Thank you for sharing your experience! 🐋 Despite the rough seas, we’re thrilled you had the chance to see the magnificent Southern Right Whales during our Hermanus Whale Watching Boat Trip. Following up with a delicious lunch at one of our renowned Cape Winelands wineries makes for a perfect day! 🍷🌊
We appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back soon for more unforgettable whale watching tours and wine experiences from Cape Town.
Warm regards,
Beyond Africa Safaris Team
#HermanusWhaleWatching #CapeWinelandsTours #WhaleWatchingSouthAfrica #BeyondAfricaSafaris
Liana_A, Sep 2024
John our tour guide was very knowledgeable and very kind. We saw lots of whales and seals for our boat trip. John also took us to see the penguins and he was also very accommodating when we want to eat somewhere else other than the ones the vineyard offered. Overall, my husband and I had a very pleasant and enjoyable trip.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Good day Valued Client
Thank you for visiting us again and sharing this valuable feedback.We wish you all the best with your travels and cant wait to have you back in Cape Town
JosepMaria_G, Sep 2024
That a very worthy trip. Kelly, our guide, was extremely kind, and explained several aspects about the travel and Cape Town. We could see the whales, have a great ime at Hermanus, the winery tasting was amazing and we enjoyed with the pinguins visit. Moreover, landscaping of the trip is great!
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Good day Valued Client
Thank you for the review of this tour.We are delighted that you had the most memorable time while doing whale watching.We wish you all the best with your future travels.
Christopher_G, Nov 2023
I loved this day out. Our private driver was excellent and full of knowledge. He drove us to see penguins at Stony Beach and then onto Hermanus to see 6 whales (its end of the season now as well) and then to a lovely wine Estate called Benguela Cove where we did some wine tasting and had a charcuterie board.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Good day Valued Client
Thank you so much for the wonderful five-star review! Your gratitude inspires our team to continue offering first-rate service. We consider it an honor to have you here and show you around.Travel safe
Bethany_H, Nov 2023
Great driver (Pedro), saw lots of whales despite being at the end of the season. The tour company were helpful and were flexible to arrangements
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Good day Valued Client
Thank you for sharing this positive review. We appreciate our location here in Cape Town Hermanus just as much as you do. We are happy to hear that you could still have seen the whales in such a big capacity and could have only the best time ever on this amazing tour.
Mikaela_A, Oct 2023
The private driver, Charleton, drove us to Hermanus and told us stories of cape town and surrounding area the entire time! He was very friendly. The boat tour was exceptional, was up close to hundreds of dolphins and about 5 whales!
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Good day Valued Client
Thank you for leaving and amazing review of this tour. We are happy that we could meet your expectations and that it was nothing short of amazing. All the best
Amnon_M, Sep 2023
The trip got canceled by the operator.
We never got a respond for the refund. Do NOT book this unless you are 100% sure of a sunny day!
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Good day Valued Client
Thank you for providing this feedback. We acknowledge the issue that you have raised and will look into this as soon as we can. Note that the tour booked is a weather-permitting tour and does affect whether the tour will occur or not. All the best
Janet_H, Aug 2023
Incredible day of whales. The weather was perfect and we saw breaching and mothers and babies playing, lots of playing! We had lunch at a great place down on the beach/rocks in town but you need to walk down stairs for that one! Our guide Roland was very informative and fun. We ended up the day tasting some very nice wines. Worth the drive!
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Good day Valued Client
Thank you for taking a moment to share your experience on this tour. We are so pleased to
hear you found the tour to your liking. Travel safe
Robert_G, Aug 2023
Everything went well except for one thing. We were picked up on time and were surprised that we were the only travelers. The guide even let us stop along the way for some coffee and pastry. We arrived at the boat launch and with almost no delay, we were able to board the boat. Plenty of whale sightings but nothing more. Following the boat ride, we went to a magnificent winery and were treated very well with our guide guiding us all the way. The only disappointment was that the trip promised a penguin sighting and we were told only when we asked that the penguin site was closed. Apparently the closing happened only within the past week, but I thought we should have been told that at the onset and that a substitution would be offered, but that did not happen. Our guide was great, as he gave us background info along the way and did everything he could to make our tour pleasant.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Good day Valued Client
Thank you for taking a moment to share your experience of this tour. We are so pleased to hear you found it to your liking. However, we do want to mention that we apologize for the disappointment of not seeing the penguins which site is busy being revamped. We wish you well with your travels.
JosephM_F, Aug 2023
The Southern Right Whales were the best experience. A few fur seals were also seen but sea birds were scarce that day. Visiting a country where I saw many classic land mammals, I felt it was important not to miss one of the most amazing marine mammals. I hope they thrive forever.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Good day Valued Client
thank you for reviewing this tour. We are delighted that you had a great time in Hermanus seeing the most amazing whales.Travel safe
Cheyenne_L, Jul 2022
We saw at least six whales and a couple of them up close. Have done whale watching in a few other places but never had them this close to the boat! A truly amazing experience! The captain and crew are super nice!
Sonia_N, Sep 2021
We were not able to watch the whales due to the bad weather, so we went to Cape of Good hope tour instead. Our host Ray was awesome - very pleasant , knowledgeable and careful.
Response from Host, Sep 2021
Dear Sonia,
Greetings from our Travel desk here in Cape Town.
We would like to thank you for reviewing the services rendered to you by us. We are so sorry that the weather was not good on our side the day you wanted to do the whales watching tour. Thank you for switching over the tour to the Cape of good hope. We are delighted to hear that Ray was a great host. Please do not hesitate to contact us next time you are in Cape Town. Stay safe.
Regina_S, Oct 2019
This was a great day trip, well worth a visit while in Cape Town. Our guide Danton made sure we had a pleasant time. He was very knowledgeable and friendly. The six course paring menu at Creation wines was amazing. The whale watching was great. It was the first day in four days that the boat went out because the seas were rough. We took Dramamine in advance of the boat ride and were not sick. Others did not fare as well, so take precautions or sit in the lower back portion of the boat where you're less subject to movement (the views are great from there too!). Overall we'd do this again in a heartbeat. Ask for Danton, you won't be disappointed!
Response from Host, Oct 2019
Dear Valued Client
Thank you for taking the time to give us feedback.
We are very pleased that you had a great trip and that your tour guide Danson gave great service.
We thank you for your support and wish to see you soon!
cspell030926, Sep 2019
Despite some last minute shuffling around, the tour was excellent! Cornelius was fantastic and the company the whale watch was chartered through did an excellent job- whales all over the place and mostly right next to the boat!! The wine tours were just what we were looking for- great wines/ great venues and Cornelius also had a few stops on his own that were particularly scenic- great day!
Lesson learned- I had to supply my contact info for the booking- but we brought my wife's cell phone/ iPad to Africa. Although I had also supplied alternate contact info (hers)- when the local travel group made a significant change to the pick-up time- they only attempted to contact me- not using the alternate info. I hade re-confirmed all the details two days before we left- I believe your local company had not made any arrangements for the whales OR the guide and had to scramble at the last minute...not very professional- but the day was a success!
travelWatford, Nov 2018
We did this tour for my birthday while we were staying in Cape Town. We were picked up from our hotel and taken out along a beautiful coast line to Hermanus. On route we visited Stoney Point which is a quieter colony of the African Penguins. There were so many to see and you get really close to them as you walk along the wooden paths. It is respectfully done and not intrusive on the Penguins.We were then taken to a wine tasting vineyard which was in a beautiful setting and location. We enjoyed sampling a few wines but didn't drink too much as we were yet to venture out onto the boat for the Whale Watching.The Whale Watching its self is magical. We sat at the front of the boat and got thoroughly soaked from the waves splashing up which in itself was great fun and we were all laughing.Once you reach the area of the Whales you don't know where to look first as there are so many. There is a guide on the boat who explains everything and points out all the different places to look to get views. We dried off in no time as well as the sun was certainly shining on us. The boat company also use a drone so they can filmy you on the boat and get some great shots of the Whales from above. It was totally magical and the experience was truly a special one. The boat was a good size and felt very comfortable and drinks and snacks were provided.When we arrived back our driver took us to a local area for lunch and we got to watch Whales breaching right outside our restaurant. The lunch is not included but the food was lovely and well worth doing after a busy few hours. Plus the stop with local shops and the Whales was an added bonus.The whole day was brilliant. Our guide was knowledgeable and told us lots about the local area and had a real enthusiasm for what he was doing.I would certainly recommend this trip to all and would love to go back and do it again myself.
Andrew_S, Nov 2018
Danny was the perfect host for our trip. Knowledgeable, considerate, happy to help when needed. His knowledge of the area was great, and took us to some incredible sights including the lesser known penguin beach. Having a car to ourselves was definitely a luxury we aren't used to, but Danny helped make that even more special. Onto the activities - the whale watching was brilliant - up close with some beautiful animals, and the vineyards we visited were exquisite too. Highly recommended.
Tyler_S, Sep 2018
We had a great time seeing the whales and wine tasting. Our guide was Cornileus. He was very friendly and had a good knowledge of the area and wine. He took us to a wonderful spot for lunch and stopped at a few places on the trip for us to see animals and markets!
Leslie H, Nov 2017
We had an incredible day, seeing the whales, penguins and wine tasting. But what really made the day was our driver/guide, Samson who was incredibly knowledgeable and kept us entertained all day and couldn't do enough for us. I would highly recommend this tour and if you are lucky you might just get Samson as your guide. Thank you for a wonderful day.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Incredible Experience on Hermanus Whale Watching and Wine Tour
Thank you, Leslie, for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you had an incredible day on our Hermanus Whale Watching Shared Boat Trip and Private Wine Tour from Cape Town.
Outstanding Guidance from Samson
It’s fantastic to know that Samson, your driver/guide, made such a positive impact on your experience. His knowledge and ability to keep you entertained throughout the day truly enhance our tours, and we’re glad to hear he couldn't do enough for you.
Memorable Highlights: Whales, Penguins, and Wine Tasting
We’re delighted that you enjoyed seeing the whales and penguins, along with the exciting wine tasting experience. These attractions are highlights of the tour, and it’s great to know they contributed to your wonderful day.
Thank you for highly recommending the tour and for mentioning Samson. We look forward to welcoming you back for more unforgettable adventures in the future!
Best wishes,
Pinky Ntombela
Marketing Manager
Charles S, Aug 2017
Just by chance we had the same driver both days for our privately booked tours. Let me start by saying how great it was to get to know Barnabas M. He is a South Africa Specialist so besides taking us to the most beautiful coastal places he also gave us detailed history behind what we were seeing. Beautiful vistas, penguins, seals, whales and don't let me forget beautiful wineries! It was two days of pure fun, lots of laughter and he's flexible to change up things last minute should you desire a longer stay at any one destination. He wasn't watching his watch to be done with his day he went out of his way to make sure we saw what we wanted and had a good time, no matter what time that meant he clocked out. I highly recommend both these tours and asking for Barnabas.
I thought I should copy and paste my reply from previous review and add in that we saw Southern Right Whales on our excursion. We actually watched a pod of about 4. Off in the distance we could see a whale showing off his tail as ours never did that. We did not witness any breaching but I enjoyed the tour.
Ask Barnabas to take you to Creation Winery. Do the 7 course small plate/wine tasting, the food is outstanding! A beautiful day that was.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Memorable Hermanus Whale Watching and Wine Tour Experience
Thank you, Charles, for your outstanding review! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic experience on both your Hermanus Whale Watching Shared Boat Trip and Private Wine Tour from Cape Town with Barnabas as your guide.
In-Depth Knowledge and Beautiful Coastal Views
It’s wonderful to know that Barnabas provided valuable insights and detailed history about the beautiful coastal areas you visited. His passion for South African culture and nature truly enhances the experience for our guests.
Flexible and Engaging Tours
We’re delighted that Barnabas's flexibility allowed you to enjoy your time at each destination without feeling rushed. Our goal is to ensure you have as much fun as possible while creating lasting memories, and we’re glad he exceeded your expectations.
Sightings of Southern Right Whales and Culinary Delights
How exciting to see Southern Right Whales and enjoy such beautiful scenery filled with penguins and seals! Thank you for recommending Creation Winery and their amazing 7-course tasting experience. We’re glad it added to your wonderful day.
Your high recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to welcoming you back for more unforgettable adventures with Barnabas in the future!
Best wishes,
Pinky Ntombela
Marketing Manager
Isabel_F, Sep 2024
Ver una ballena con su ballenato fue impresionante!!
Luego compramos un USB con el video hecho por el dron.
Christophe_A, Oct 2023
visite des baleines depuis un bateau, un peu déçu car les bateaux ne sont pas autorisés de s'approcher à moins de 50 M des baleines.
edith_B, Oct 2023
Het was een prachtige tour met een geweldige tourguide Pedro! Hij was er op de afgesproken tijd en kon veel vertellen over zuid afrika. De walvissentour was mooier dan ik had durven dromen, veel moeders met baby’s , ze spongen uit het water en lieten hun staarten zien. Pedro bracht ons daarna naar de lekkerste en mooie wine estate en hebben daar genoten van wijn en champagne. Als kers op de taart nog naar de pinguïns. Een echte aanrader
ASUN_A, Jul 2023
La experiencia fue genial. La organización excelente. Pudimos ver bastantes ballenas y el super guía James nos ayudó a poder cumplir uno de nuestros objetivos en Ciudad del Cabo que era subir a Table Mountain antes de partir hacia Kruger. No tenemos más que palabras de agradecimiento por su simpatía, atenciones para con nosotros. Fue un día redondo. Viator cumplió como en otras ocasiones y no podemos más que recomendar altamente tanto a la compañía como a James!.
Valentina_N, Aug 2022
La prima cosa che vi colpisce quando arriva Seifu è il suo sorriso.
Quando lo vedrete capirete che siete finiti nelle mani giuste.
Una guida precisa, gentile, disponibile e preparata, pronta ad accontentare i suoi clienti perchè quello che conta per lui è che siano felici quando torneranno a casa.
Posti visitati da cartolina e che ci rimarranno impressi sicuramente al nostro rientro.
Abbiamo fatto il giro in nave per vedere le balene, abbiamo fatto una degustazione vini in un posto splendido (benguela cove), tappa dai dolcissimi pinguini di stoney point e varie tappe per le foto lungo la strada panoramica. Ogni tappa è stata vista con calma e senza fretta, cosa che non accade spesso.
Seifu è stato un tesoro è una volta finito il tour ne vorrete prenotare un altro per sentirvi ancora coccolati.
Noi speriamo di poter tornare un giorno e ritrovare lui.
Grazie di tutto
Luca e Vale
GIANPAOLO_U, Aug 2018
Escursione prenotata parecchie settimane in anticipo. Organizzazione perfetta, dall'auto, dalla guida e alla professionalità.
From $270.13
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Hermanus Whale Watching Shared Boat Trip and Private Wine Tour from Cape Town
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