Whale Watching & Hermanus

SOUTH AFRICA · REGION

10 Best Whale Watching & Hermanus Tours In South Africa

South Africa's standouts.

A shortlist of the 10 whale watching & hermanus tours most worth booking in South Africa, with what each one is like on the day, who runs it, and what it costs.

10 Best Whale Watching & Hermanus Tours In South Africa

Hermanus: Boat Based Whale Watching Experience

Hermanus: Boat Based Whale Watching Experience - Out on Walker Bay: how whale watching typically unfolds

1.Hermanus: Boat Based Whale Watching Experience

Most Popular★ 4.4

90 minutes in Hermanus, Western Cape: whale watching from the top deck when weather allows, plus dolphins, seals, coffee, and expert guidance.

“Very knowledgeable guide, giving explanations and was able to answer all questions in a gentle manner, even if we guess he has to answer the same one several times per day. Even the boat trip was a positive adventure, more so, as we detected a huge swarm of dolphins and a whale with its (4…”

1,180 reviews1.5 hoursFrom $93by Hermanus Whale watchers

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Hermanus: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

Hermanus: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip - What You’re Wearing Matters More Than You Think (Boat Comfort Basics)

2.Hermanus: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

★ 4.6

Hermanus whale and dolphin cruise from the Whale Shack catamaran. Specialist guide, light refreshments, and up-close sightings near Walker Bay.

“We were at the end of the whale season but we saw hundreds of dolphins and at the end of the tour a whale, the tour a half hour longer so we could see the whale. Guide knows what he’s talking about.”

807 reviews2 hoursFrom $98by Southern Right Charters

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Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise - The water hunt in Algoa Bay: whales and dolphins when timing matters

3.Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

★ 5.0

Whale, dolphin, and penguin cruise from Port Elizabeth to Algoa Bay and St. Croix Island, with conservation-focused guides.

“We had a wonderful experience! The team was super helpful, engaged and living for their mission. We were so lucky to see jot only dolphins, seals, two whales but also a hammerhead shark and a bunch of penguins swimming to feed. Would recommend everytime!”

687 reviewsFrom $185.19by Raggy Charters

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From Hermanus or Cape Town: Shark Cage Diving Experience

From Hermanus or Cape Town: Shark Cage Diving Experience - Breakfast at the Lodge and the safety-first shark briefing

4.From Hermanus or Cape Town: Shark Cage Diving Experience

★ 4.7

Shark cage encounter off Gansbaai: pro crew, 7mm wetsuits, meals included, and a 20-minute Great White close-up with other species.

“Amazing from start to finish, wouldn’t change a thing. Very organised, amazing to see the huge sharks and so many of them, all staff attentive and informative.”

684 reviews4.5 - 10 hoursFrom $137by White shark projects PTY Limited

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From Cape Town: Hermanus Whale Watching Boat Trip

From Cape Town: Hermanus Whale Watching Boat Trip - The early pickup and road trip rhythm (and how to stay sane)

5.From Cape Town: Hermanus Whale Watching Boat Trip

★ 4.4

Speedboat whale watching from Gansbaai to De Kelders for southern right whales, orcas, penguins, and more, with early Cape Town pickup.

“We had an amazing whale-watching experience! We were lucky to spot a family of Southern Right Whales, and it was absolutely breathtaking. The guides were very friendly, knowledgeable, and took the time to explain everything throughout the trip, which made the experience even more special. If you are concerned about safety like I was, you…”

378 reviews7 hoursFrom $221by Ivanhoe Sea Safaris

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Plettenberg Bay: Whale Watching Boat Cruise

Plettenberg Bay: Whale Watching Boat Cruise - The 400-horsepower speedboat ride: what the beach launch feels like

6.Plettenberg Bay: Whale Watching Boat Cruise

★ 4.4

A 2-hour Plettenberg Bay speedboat whale watch with Ocean Safaris, built for safety and close marine-life sightings in June–November.

“Amazing trip, we were lucky and saw whales breaching and hundreds of dolphins, obviously despite the guide’s expertise this can’t be guaranteed.”

362 reviews2 hoursFrom $49by Ocean Safaris Garden Route

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Whale Watching from Gansbaai

Whale Watching from Gansbaai - The 2-Hour Cruise Along De Keldar Cliffs (What Happens After You Leave the Harbour)

7.Whale Watching from Gansbaai

★ 5.0

Cruise Gansbaai’s De Keldar cliffs for Southern right whales, dolphins, sharks, and penguins on a small 2-hour boat ride.

“Friendly welcome from 'Ivanhoes' receptionist, down at Gansbaai Harbour. Faultless experience once on board with crew.”

327 reviewsFrom $112.15by Eubalaena Sea Safaris CC - Trading as Ivanhoe Sea Safaris

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Knysna: Close Encounter Whale Watching Tour by Boat

Knysna: Close Encounter Whale Watching Tour by Boat - How the whale spotter system actually helps you see more

8.Knysna: Close Encounter Whale Watching Tour by Boat

★ 4.6

A 2-hour boat tour from Thesen Harbour to Knysna Heads, with a whale spotter on radio for humpback and southern right sightings.

“Great trip - fast and bumpy ride out to sea, meeting a few seals and a very brief sighting of dolphins. Then found a pair of humpbacks, and chased back to find another fin-slapping repeatedly, close to the boat. Surfed back on large waves. Overall great fun, and more than 2 hours on the boat.”

207 reviews2 hoursFrom $113by Ocean Odyssey Whale Watching Knysna

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Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus

Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus - Out on the Catamaran: What to Watch, Who Helps, and How Comfort Is Handled

9.Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus

★ 4.5

Two hours on a purpose-built catamaran from Hermanus with a whale specialist. Spot southern right whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and seals.

“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.”

205 reviewsFrom $91.45by Southern Right Charters

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From Hermanus: Cruise with Shark Cage Dive and Lunch

From Hermanus: Cruise with Shark Cage Dive and Lunch - The 3 hours at sea: what you actually get from the shark expert

10.From Hermanus: Cruise with Shark Cage Dive and Lunch

★ 4.4

Shark Alley cage time from Kleinbaai, with wetsuits, lunch, expert talks, and onboard filming—great value for a no-experience thrill in Hermanus.

“Great experience overall. The staff was very informative and attentive. During the dive we spotted several bronze whaler sharks, a cape seal, a stingray and two young (about 2m) great white sharks. The drop off to Cape Town could be better (i was offered the choice either to wait for 2-3 hours for another group…”

184 reviews1 dayFrom $168by White Shark Ventures

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