Tickets & tours
Book a 2-hour boat safari departing from New Harbour, or secure a full-day guided excursion from Cape Town.
Most bookedExperience 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...
Top ratedAfter 20 years of photographing and observing the behavioural patterns of the Southern Right Whales that visit Walker Bay annually, I consider myself a Whale behavioural...
Best valueDiscover the beauty of Hermanus on this full-day tour from Cape Town, perfect for wildlife lovers and coastal explorers. Walk the famous cliff paths with stunning...
Spend a day whale watching and wine tasting on this full-day trip to Hermanus from Cape Town. See migrating Southern Right, Humpback and Bryde's Whales off the coast of...
Small groupExperience the ultimate whale watching tour from Cape Town to Hermanus, where you'll see the stunning Southern Right Whales up close. Enjoy private transfers with...
Experience two of the Western Cape’s most memorable wildlife encounters in one unforgettable day. Visit Stony Point in Betty’s Bay to observe endangered African penguins...
Prices change based on platform, season, and exchange rates.
Enter your group and compare totals on both platforms. From-prices; children are priced as adults unless the listing gives a child rate.
Compare our top-rated Hermanus whale encounters.
| Option | Duration | Viator from | GetYourGuide from | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| boat whale watching | 2 h | $110 | Compare | 4.7 (258) | classic ocean whale encounters |
| land based tour | 2 h 30 min | $93 | Compare | 4.9 (42) | cliff path coastal viewing |
| scenic coastal drive | 8 h to 10 h | $152 | Compare | 5.0 (9) | nature lovers and walkers |
| shared trip & wine | 8 h | $210 | Compare | 4.8 (36) | wine and whale enthusiasts |
| private boat & wine | 10 h | $272 | Compare | 4.6 (43) | exclusive luxury day trips |
| private boat & penguins | 8 h | $300 | Compare | 5.0 (17) | comprehensive marine wildlife experience |
Adult tickets cost approximately R1,300 to R2,150 (ZAR). Prices vary by operator and visitor nationality. Children often pay reduced rates. See Cost and Tickets for details.
Yes. Boats have limited capacity. Tours often sell out during the peak months of August, September, and October. Advance booking guarantees your spot.
Operators cancel trips if seas are too rough. Safety is the priority. You will usually receive a full refund or an offer to reschedule. Have a backup plan.
From Viator
258 reviews of the boat whale watching on Viator
good trip and we were lucky to find whales - one solo & the other a mother with calf. guide was very knowledgable and easy to understand. unfortunately due to the size of the bay we did spend more time getting to and from the sightings than if they had been closer to the harbour
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.
This is a long overdue review. Our tour with Dave was beyond amazing. It was the highlight of our trip to Hermanus. He is just so passionate and shares all his knowledge. He went above and beyond and drove for a long time to show us the whales. I could not recommend him more. My family and I were delighted to meet him, an absolute privilege.
