Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Experience an up, close and personal encounter with the ‘gentle giants’ of the ocean that promises to be an ‘experience to be treasured.’ From June to December you will mostly encounter the Southern Right whales, seals, penguins and marine birds, and often see dolphins, Bryde’s and Humpback whales on this informative and educational tour.
Inclusions
What's included
- Support Crew to ensure passenger comfort
- Whale specialist guide on board
- Complimentary Light refreshments
What's not
- Transportation to/from attractions
- USB Movie of tour (available to purchase at R390)
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.7
- 5211
- 429
- 36
- 22
- 17
Ratings come from 255 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Showing reviews written in English.
5The best WW operator in town
Hello, After 8 years I was glad to return and to go out with you guys. I did a total of 9 trips. In 2018 I have tried 2 other companies but it was not really meeting my expectations. For me as amateur photographer I would rather not wear a safety jacket on board. You offer this choice, the others not. A life jacket is not really comfortable for a photographer. The briefing before the trips are outstanding, the narration during the trip are high standard. I have done 350 + WW trips in my life all over the world, SRC is in my top 3. Thanks again for the amazing experience. Special thank to Sam and Corden and also the back office. For the non photographers is it recommended to purchase the video which is available after each trip. Hope to back one day.
5Worth the early start
Worth the early start. After missing our original tour due to traffic travelling from Cape Town to Hermanus, the team went out of their way to help and rebook us onto the following morning's departure, which we really appreciated. The crew were knowledgeable, engaging and clearly passionate about the local marine life. Sea conditions were good, we were fortunate to see whales, and the sunrise over the water made the experience even more memorable. The optional drone footage was also excellent value for money. A well-run tour and one of the highlights of our trip.
5Good sightings despite choppy weather
It was a choppy day but we managed to find a group of Southern Right Whales with adults and young. We sat close to the Whales and just watched. It was a lovely experience. We could see 8-9 metres of each Whale. I suspect if it had been calm we would have seen the full Whale.
5Awesome whale sightings
Awesome trip, despite poor weather we enjoyed spectacular sighting of whales with their calves. We were fortunate to see a Brindle Southern Wright calf.
5Taking a whale watching...
Taking a whale watching tour from Hermanus proved to be an unforgettable adventure. We were incredibly lucky to encounter all three local whale species and soon found our vessel completely surrounded by hundreds of playful dolphins. Throughout the voyage, the captain delivered insightful commentary that kept us informed about marine behavior and what to expect on the horizon. Rough ocean swells made the trip challenging, and several passengers suffered severe motion sickness once back on shore. Fortunately, purchasing the company’s aerial drone video captured the wildlife spectacle perfectly, preserving the magic of this extraordinary lifetime experience.
5Amazing experience
What a thrill to see whales with their young ones out in the ocean! The guide gave a comprehensive talk before heading out, providing details of what we’ll see, what to expect, safety etc. We did not feel any nausea during the trip (we did take Dramamine just in case). We saw so many whales, including a couple of Humpbacks. We do recommend purchasing the video they take with their drone. The drone gets a lot closer than we can with our cameras.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Enter the New Harbour (Corner of Westcliff & Stil Road), follow the signs for Southern Right Charters, down to the waters' edge.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 50 travellers
- Operated by
- Southern Right Charters
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- All ages welcome, children U/12 must wear a life jacket at al times which will be provided
- Please bring along:
- 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)
How it compares in Hermanus
- Its from-price is 11% below the median of the 19 experiences we list in Hermanus.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 1 of 19.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Hermanus
Hermanus is a seaside town on Walker Bay in South Africa's Western Cape, one of the world's best places to watch southern right whales from the shore.
Hermanus is a coastal town on Walker Bay, about a hundred and twenty kilometres by road south-east of Cape Town, on a curving shore backed by mountains. It began as a fishing village in the nineteenth century, and its old harbour is now a museum. A clifftop path of about twelve kilometres follows the shoreline, and from it southern right whales can be seen close inshore, with a Whale Crier blowing a kelp horn to announce them.
Top-ranked sights in Hermanus: Benguela Cove, Hermanus Cliff Path, Fernkloof Nature Reserve.
