Hermanus: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

Overstrand Municipality, Cape Town



Experience an up-close encounter with the gentle giants of the ocean by joining an informative and educational whale-watching cruise from Hermanus, known as a destination for whale watching.

Highlights

  • Experience close encounters with a licensed whale watching operator
  • Learn about these gentle giants directly from a whale specialist
  • Explore South Africa's Whale Capital coastline

Description

Discover Hermanus, one of the best destinations for watching marine mammals, on a boat trip with a whale specialist guide. Sail to areas that receive seasonal visits from southern right and humpback whales along with year-round sightings of Bryde’s whales and dolphins. Enjoy refreshments onboard.

Sailing on a purpose-built catamaran ensures maximum passenger comfort and spectacular viewing opportunities. During the tour, the crew is on hand to make sure everyone has a great experience, from helping get the perfect photo to serving complimentary light refreshments.

The guide, a whale specialist, will interpret the marine life encountered en route and provide insight into the behavior of the whales while the action is taking place. The expert videographer will ensure the best footage is captured.

Includes

  • Whale and dolphin watching cruise
  • Specialist guide on board
  • Light refreshments
  • Crisps

Important Information

  • What to wear:

    • Weather-appropriate clothing and a windbreaker
    • Sensible footwear (flat shoes are recommended)

    What to bring:

    • Sea sickness tablets should be taken in advance as per packet instructions if necessary
    • Camera (tripods and binoculars are not advised)

    Children Policy:

    • All ages welcome. All children under 12 must wear life jackets for the full duration on-board, and be under adult supervision at all times
    • The life jacket condition applies as well to infants. For children under 2 years old, they can be very uncomfortable. We would strongly advise motion sickness syrup for infants
    • No prams are allowed on board
    • The vessel is not wheelchair accessible

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund

Frequently Asked Questions

You can see southern right whales, humpback whales, Bryde’s whales, and various dolphin species along the Hermanus coastline near Cape Town.
A whale specialist accompanies the boat trip to provide expert information about the marine mammals.
Whale sightings are most common during the seasonal visits of southern right and humpback whales, but Bryde’s whales and dolphins can be seen year-round; check the website for current seasons.
The trips typically depart from the harbor area along the Hermanus coastline near Cape Town.
Trip durations vary, so check the website for current trip length and schedule details.
Yes, the tours use a purpose-built catamaran designed for passenger comfort and optimal marine mammal viewing.
Yes, light refreshments are provided onboard during the boat trip.
Yes, but the boat trip offers closer and more consistent sightings along South Africa's Whale Capital coastline.
Yes, the tours are family-friendly, but it's advisable to check specific age recommendations on the website.
You can book online through the official tour website or local Cape Town travel platforms; check the site for availability and booking options.

Trusted local guides, read by millions every month

  • 2006 online since
  • 27.8M page views a month across the network
  • 14 languages

180+ destination guides, one network

Every guide covers a single destination on its own website, with events, restaurants, things to do and places to stay chosen from local recommendations.

My Guide Network Locations

Nearby Destinations

Add to your trip

Add your travel dates so we can place this on the right day, or save it for later.

Added to your trip Added to day {[{trip.toast.day}]}, MorningAfternoonEvening Saved to your trip Already in your trip Transfer saved to your trip Save your trip to get fresh suggestions Staying in {[{trip.toast.label}]} Base cleared Trip deleted Link copied Could not save your trip Something went wrong, please try again