Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus
Recommended by 94% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Hermanus, South Africa
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Maximize your chances of seeing whales with this boat tour from Hermanus. Learn about the magnificent mammals from a whale specialist as you head out onto the water. Depending on the time of year keep an eye out for humpback, Bryde's, and southern right whales, as well as dolphins and seals.
- Maximize your chances of seeing whales on a tour from Hermanus
- Learn about these 'gentle giants' directly from a whale specialist
- Spot Humpback, Southern Right whales and even dolphins and seals—depending on the season
- Complimentary light refreshments included: No need to bring your own
What's Included
- Whale specialist guide on board
- Support Crew to ensure passenger comfort
- Complimentary Light refreshments
- Transportation to/from attractions
- USB Movie of tour (available to purchase at R390)
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Southern Right ChartersThe Whale Shack New Harbour, Hermanus, 7200, South Africa
Enter the New Harbour (Corner of Westcliff & Stil Road), follow the signs for Southern Right Charters, down to the waters' edge.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
1
Southern Right Charters
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- All ages welcome, children U/12 must wear a life jacket at al times which will be provided
- Please bring along:
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Weather appropriate clothing and a windbreaker
- Sensible footwear, sunscreen; cap if necessary
- Sea sick tablets should be taken in advance as per packet instructions (if necessary)
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
David_L
Really great trip, well organised with friendly staff.
Buy the seasickness tablets in the Click chemist in town (R20). Take one the night before and the morning of your trip and you will have no issues. They won’t interfere with any of your eating and drinking plans
Reviews
4.7
based on 235 reviews
David_L, Oct 2025
Really great trip, well organised with friendly staff.
Buy the seasickness tablets in the Click chemist in town (R20). Take one the night before and the morning of your trip and you will have no issues. They won’t interfere with any of your eating and drinking plans
Vlad_C, Oct 2025
We saw whales :D and the guides were very friendly and knowledgeable. 100% reccomended!
Only thing I would say, if you get seasick make sure you get pills before as the waters can get choppy!
Lena_L, Oct 2025
We had chances to a lot of whales in close distance. Everyone in the boat was so exited and happy. Crew members did a excellent job for spotting whale and explanations.
Tannis_N, Oct 2025
Good experience, we were able to see multiple whales including babies. The guide was knowledgeable and provided facts. We did experience big swells which had some experiencing sea sickness.
Anna_B, Aug 2025
If you want to go whale watching in Hermanus then these are the company to go with! Absolutely amazing experience, fantastic boat, great team on the boat and land. We saw so many Southern Right Whales it was just amazing. We were so lucky to see them breaching and to see them right by the boat. Just brilliant!
Robyn_B, Sep 2024
Whales, seals and an amazing pod of common dolphins to finish off the trip! An enthusiastic guide who was knowledgable and friendly
Simon_P, Sep 2024
Fantastic experience. We saw 2 types of Whales, Dolphins, Seals and lots of birds. We literally never had time to put our cameras away during the whope trip, because there was always something going on! Would definitely recommend.
Jason_H, Aug 2024
From start to finish, the experience was incredible, thanks to our enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide providing us with fascinating insights about the Southern Right species. We were fortunate enough to spot several majestic Southern Right Whales. Watching these magnificent creatures breach and play in the water was a breathtaking experience that I will never forget.
Atul_N, Jun 2024
The trip was methodically organised, safety was well managed. Very knowledgable staff
Had incredibly good sightings of whales
Strongly recommended
Lindsay_B, Oct 2022
Great experience… only saw one mum & baby whale … would have loved to look for more in the 2 hrs but still great
barbara_c, Oct 2022
We had a lovely day on the water with a great crew. They were very enthusiastic and accommodating and we saw a lot of whales, dolphins, and seals. I absolutely recommend it!
Shabala_M, Oct 2022
Unforgettable! They are the best. We already had read so many good reviews about them that we booked two trips with them on successive days. The first trip was at 9 am and was very rewarding in terms of whale sightings. The second trip was also scheduled for 9 am the following day but was rescheduled to 6 am tour as all whale watching tours in Hermanus was cancelled for all slots starting from 9 am onwards because of strong winds forecast The sunrise whale watching was divine and the Bay was so calm and no wind at all. It was lovely to watch the whales and their calves as the sun rose. The refreshments was very generous and complimentary. Our skipper and guide Jock and Isabella and the crew very fantastic
Shabala_M, Oct 2022
The best whale watching trip ever. They are very professional and are very informative.
The whale watching tour was so rewarding with such fantastic sightings. We were so lucky to spot mothers and playful calves, one of them being a rare Brindle calf. The refreshments are very generous, with detox water, hot hot refreshing tea, coffee, apples, cookies, a variety of cup cakes, all complimentary. Even on board the boat, we were served complimentary cokes, ginger ales. A special thanks to our guide/ skipper Jock and a special thanks to Isabella who was very helpful .
michelacatania, Sep 2022
Got to see the southern right whales up close and enjoying their natural habitat. Everyone was able to see and staff are very helpful
Yasmina_N, Jun 2022
I have been to Hermanus before, but not during whale watching season. I came back to Hermanus just for that. The trip did not disappoint. We got an overview and lots of details before the trip. We saw a lot of whales. There was a drone. I got an amazing video. Best time ever.
Adrianus_v, Nov 2021
We had a very experienced guide who knew what he was talking about. He also told that the whales were early this season and that in August and September there were about 80-90 whales in the bay. Now there were about 8 whales. So you should not sell the trip as it being the whale season. We know it is nature and it is very good thing that nature does itself but tell people that the season is over. It is possible to see whales but chances are limited. Now there were 40+ people on a boat hoping to see whales or a whale thinking that is was partly whale season and it isn’t.
Nyamaa_T, Aug 2021
My family very happy and satisfied with whale watching trip on cruse. Crew was very experienced, safe and knew where to bring to watch whales.
I am giving 5 star for my review and recommend others!
Thank you!
Go592819, Oct 2019
Unfortunately our Hermanus Whale watching was cancelled due to poor weather.
However I was very impressed with the operator, Southern Right Charters, who informed us at 08h00 of the cancellation and I was contacted within a couple of hours by Viator to offer me a re-schedule or a refund. I opted for the refund and the money was back in my account within a few days.
I have given this trip a five-start review but this is clearly for the service, not the actual trip.
Thanks to all concerned.
Jason_C, Oct 2019
Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Excellent tour with lots of whales and seals to see. Would recommend this tour to anyone staying in Hermanus.
Trail62668555803, Nov 2018
Informative pre meeting, very good guide informed us during the whole tour. Good service. Even the captain took the time to chat
LeeAnn_K, Jul 2018
Our family had an amazing day of whale watching. Great crew and very informative tour. Sighted many Southern Right Whales up close to the boat. Also saw dolphins.
Highly recommend this trip to anyone.
Karen S, Nov 2015
Sea pretty choppy but crew were excellent , telling people where best to sit. Found a great spot - mother and calf swimming close to the boat - did not expect to see the whales as close as this.
MichaelCheret, Oct 2025
We experienced it as a positive, just a pity that the whales did not feel like it that day. They were present but kept their distance and came up very little with their tail fin and snout. On the boat many people were seasick due to the high waves
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ALFONSOLUIS_V, Jul 2025
It really deserves to be warm.
The exciting and well-directed sighting.
He deserves to keep the video they sell you in the end.
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HuiWen_F, Nov 2022
Umweltschutz. Behusames Umgang mit alle Pflanzen,Tiere und Natur.
Wir haben sehr viele Info bekommen über die Wahle.
Edu_P, Aug 2022
Experiencia inolvidable viendo cetáceos, una previa donde te explican que ballenas se podrán ver por la zona.
No es necesario imprimir el bono o la documentación, di mi nombre y estaba apuntado en la lista de reservas.
JULIEN_H, Oct 2021
Nous ne regrettons pas une seule seconde d'avoir réservé cette sortie en mer. En raison de la météo notre sortie a dû être annulée mais nous avons été reprogrammés le lendemain. Le personnel est vraiment agréable.
Voir les baleines depuis la côte est bien mais les voir depuis la mer est un moment incroyable. Nous avons été extrêmement proches. Nous avions peur que ce soit un peu l'usine et que lorsqu'une baleine sortait ils fonceraient avec les moteurs à fond mais au contraire une fois atteint la zone où les baleines évoluent ils font très attention à ne pas trop les déranger.
vraiment une super expérience que je recommande.
Lea_G, Jul 2019
Je n’ai pas pu voir de baleine car j’ai été terrassée par le plus violent mal de mer de toute ma vie la mer était très agitée et le bateau pas très stable ( même si à aucun moment nous n’avons été en danger) cependant pour le confort des passagers un bateau plus large serai certainement plus adapté vu les vagues qu’il y a dans cette région, je n’ai pas arrêté de vomir du début à la fin je conseille au autre voyageur qui pourraient y être sujet de prendre des comprimé avant d’y Aller et d’attendre Un jour où la mer est particulièrement calme
Stefan_K, Jan 2018
Das war toll.
Abholservice hat bestens geklappt.
Die Crew auf dem Boot war super nett.
Und Wale gab es natürlich auch zu sehen. Direkt am Boot, als würden Sie uns beobachten.
Petra V, Oct 2015
Schöne Bootstour man kommt den Walen schon ziemlich nah :-
Wer nicht ganz Seefest ist unbedingt vorher Reisetabletten einnehmen.
From $107.01
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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