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.
Free cancellation on most bookings · Bookings handled by GetYourGuide
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. Sail 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.
Check-in is 30 minutes before the departure time: Meet at the Southern Right Charters' welcome center, the Whale Shack, on the lower level of the New Harbour. Open in Google Maps
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"Great organisation! The crew was extremely nice and tried everything to find the whales (successfully :)), good atmosphere, lovely crew definitely worth the money. We saw seals, dolphins and two types of whales & learned a lot along the way. Super happy :)"
"Very well organised. They offered us coffee, tea, and cupcakes before the tour. Unfortunately, we didn’t see a whale, but since it was the last day of the season, that was understandable. Still, we had an amazing time with around 300 dolphins and even saw some seals. I would definitely do it again, just in the…"
"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."
"What a beautiful experience: From the expert introduction to Hermanus' whales by Ken, to the explanations of Jacques and the Crew taking care of us and making sure to keep watching out for marine life, this tour was great. Not only did we find ourselves in the middle of a large school of dolphins and did spot a…"
"Great tour! Lots of places to spread out and see the whales on the boat. The drone video was cool to watch afterwards. I think charging R440 for the video is way too much considering the cost of the tour."
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GetYourGuide lists the exact inclusions on the booking page — typically snorkel gear and life vests, drinks (often open bar), light food or lunch on the longer trips, and crew. Hotel pickup is sometimes included depending on the operator. Check the operator's inclusion list before booking; this comparison page surfaces the headline product, not every detail.
This tour starts at From $83 per person on GetYourGuide on our last refresh. Prices vary by date, season, and group size, and private-charter options are priced by the boat rather than per head. Click the Book button to see live pricing for your dates.
Most tours on GetYourGuide offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Look for the cancellation policy on the GetYourGuide tour page before booking — it's flagged prominently on the offer card.
April – May and September – November (sweet spots). Shoulder months (june, july, august (still good, slightly windier)) are the best-value window — smaller crowds, lower prices, mostly the same conditions. Avoid january – march (cyclone window).
10 % cash; some private charters include service. Cash to the captain at the end of the trip — they share with the deckhands. Service is sometimes included on private charters; check the booking confirmation.
Reef-safe sunscreen required in Mauritius lagoon and Seychelles marine parks. Pick up a mineral (zinc-oxide) sunscreen before you board; on-board sales are usually marked up.
Three more catamaran days in South Africa ranked by verified guest reviews. Cross-shopping these usually surfaces a better-value option for the same week.
Check live availability and lock in your date. Most catamaran tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
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