Whale Watching Tour from Cape Town

Cape Town, South Africa

9 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

This seasonal tour, which takes place between July and December, offers travelers the incredible opportunity to see Southern Right Whales calf from the rugged cliffs of Hermanus. Spend a full day sightseeing and experience the beauty and the wonder of these massive mammals up close.

Whale Watching Tour from Cape Town
Experience the beauty of South Africa's scenic coast
Opt for a boat ride for a closer look at these giant mammals
Round-trip hotel transport included

What's Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Transport
Professional guide

Boat Trip (optional)
Food and drinks
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

We pick up at most hotels within the City Centre

Operating hours
.8:00 am

What To Expect

Your all-day tour is lead by a professional, registered guide and includes stops in the seaside towns of Pringle Bay, Gordon's Bay and Betty's Bay. Visit the Harold Porter Botanical Garden and the Fernkloof Nature Reserve, then make your way to Hermanus. You will stand on the coastal cliffs and watch as giant whales swim, frolic and calf in the warm waters off this cliffside town. You can opt for a boat ride for a closer look (own expense). It's the perfect way to cap off a Cape Town tour.

African Eagle Day Tours

Hermanus Cliff Path

Fernkloof Nature Reserve

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Not wheelchair accessible

No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Juliana_A

I had a really lovely day. The guide, Maxwell, is very friendly and attentive. We saw two whales also including one baby. I highly recommend the tour.

Reviews

3.5

based on 15 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Bad from beginning to end

Carol_B, Oct 2025

We went on a wild goose chase around Cape Town for hour and half picking up guests it transpired that a couple weren’t at the meeting point at 8.15 when we arrived as they were told 8.50 we didn’t leave Cape Town until 9.30 it was then a complete rush to get to Hermanus for 12pm boat tour. We went then told lunch was booked at a restaurant for us we waited over an hour for food then Reggie the guide asked us to have it as a takeaway so we could get going we refused as we had ordered a curry and hake and chips and we hadn’t had our drinks. Because of this we had 10 minutes to look around Hermanus to take pictures and shop! We were promised a visit to the botanical gardens but got there at 5 just as they were closing eventually got back at 7.30. All in all on the bus from 8 am to 7.30pm and all the we did was the boat trip yes we did see whales but none of the other promised activities and felt very rushed

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Dear Carol, thank you for sharing your feedback. I would like to sincerely apologise for the inconvenience you experienced during your tour with us. Unfortunately, due to significant delays during the morning pick-ups, the guide had to amend the itinerary to make the best use of the time available. As whale watching is one of the main highlights of the tour, particularly during this season, it was prioritized to ensure guests didn’t miss this special experience. As a result, the visit to the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens, which is usually scheduled earlier in the day, had to be moved to the afternoon. Unfortunately the botanical gardens closing time was overlooked.

Whale watching from shore.

mollydoggy, Sep 2025

This trip took us by van on a two hour ride in a comfortable vehicle to the costal town of Herman's. Our driver was Knowledgeable and very pleasant. We stopped for a coffee and bathroom break. Continuing to wonderful little town of Hermanus where Southern right whales spend their time breaching in the bay, very close to shore. After spending half an hour watching the whales we were turned loose to explore the quaint town for an hour and have lunch, we passed on lunch. We met up with our driver an drove up to a lookout to view the bay from a different perspective. We then headed back towards Cape Town stopping a a wonderful botanic garden. We wished we had spent our lunch break there instead of the hour at Hermanus After the short stay at the gardens we returned to Cape Town. A very nice trip.

Whale watching in Hermanus, on a rough sea.

Michele_G, Sep 2025

Great tour around Cape Town, but the actual boat ride to see the whales is an extra cost. It’s in the small print of the tour details. Additionally we went out on a 9:00 tour on a very windy day. I did feel a little sick on the way back. The waves were very choppy, and the wind was fierce. You should be prepared for September weather. It was an amazing experience. I would do this again.

Lovely day

Juliana_A, Jun 2025

I had a really lovely day. The guide, Maxwell, is very friendly and attentive. We saw two whales also including one baby. I highly recommend the tour.

Great trip

Robyn_S, Aug 2024

The only reason this didn't get five stars from me is because I could only book the boat trip on the day, which relied on there being spaces. Since the whole reason for me booking this was to get on the boat trip, this was disappointing because at one point, it looked like there were no spaces. I was fortunate and my amazing tour guide worked to get everyone on the tour onto the boat. We had all booked this trip via different agents, so one couple had somehow booked the boat in advance, but i did not have that option with Viator. My tour guide communicated everything in good time and clearly worked behind the scenes and possibly out of hours to make sure everyone was happy. I was picked up from my Airbnb very punctually and the drive was beautiful, with lots of info from the guide about all sorts of things, from nature to SA's political past. We had a lunch stop in Hermanus after the boat, which I wasn't expecting, but was very grateful for. I learned a lot on this trip, which my friends who didn't go missed out on. Not everyone looks forward to or enjoys hours in a bus, but my lovely guide made it engaging and fun. I am so glad I went and was lucky enough to not only get on the boat but see plenty of whales pretty close up.

A whale of a time

Kieran_M, Sep 2019

A very scenic drive along the coast to Hermanus along with a visit to a penguin colony and a, winery tour before lunch and then a great two hours of constant whale sightseeing from the tour boat Highly recommend this tour