Hermanus, known as the whale-watching capital of South Africa, is perfectly positioned on the windswept coast of Walker Bay for seeing migratory southern right whales.
The town is a 90-minute drive southeast of Cape Town and easily slots into a self-drive trip along the Garden Route. Treading its streets, you pass galleries, shops and waterfront cafés. In the evening, you can dine in one of the seafood restaurants while watching the sun set over the ocean. Hermanus is a town that has fully embraced its status as South Africa’s chief whale-watching destination.
Every year, the season is celebrated with the Hermanus Whale Festival, where live music, sizzling food trucks and art and craft stalls are accompanied by educational exhibits on marine life and conservation.
Whale Watching: Up Close and Personal
Joining a boat trip is the best way to get close to the whales - both southern right and resident Bryde’s whales frequent the bay, fluking and spouting right before your eyes. You don’t have to be waterborne to see them, though. Between Hermanus’s New Harbour in the west and Piet-se-Bos in the east, you can follow a 12 km (7.5 mile) coastal path along the clifftops. From this lofty position, you have undisturbed views over the ocean and of any marine life that’s in passing.
While you can see marine life year-round from Hermanus, the main whale-watching season lasts from June to November.
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Here's a general cost guide for whale watching boat trips:
- Hermanus boats: R1440 to R1500 per adult / R1340 to R1400 per student & senior / R720 per kid under 13yrs / kids under 3yrs = zero
- Kleinbaai boat: R2160 per adult / R1560 per kid under 12yrs / kids under 5yrs = zero, PLUS a small Conservation fee of = R100 per person
- Gansbaai: R1950 per adult / R1700 per student & senior / R975 per kid under 12yrs / kids under 4yrs = zero
- PRIVATE Charter of a Whale Watching boat starts from R45,000 to R71,000 for 3 hour
NEW product - re-starts from - DECEMBER 2025 Humpback Whale Watching boat trips on the West Coast at Yzerfontein -which is 1 hours drive north of Cape Town -Starts - December, 2025.
Intense Whale Watching in Hermanus!
Beyond Whales: Activities and Excursions
Your stay in Hermanus needn’t have a single focus. Hermanus is backed by Fernkloof Nature Reserve, which spreads across the Kleinrivier Mountains. Here, you can walk among rare heather-like fynbos vegetation, following some of the 60 km (37 miles) of trails.
You can also join a ‘wine safari’ to the nearby Hemel en Aarde (Heaven on Earth) Valley. You travel in an open-sided safari vehicle through mountainous terrain, hopping on and off at different wineries to spend as long as you like sampling (and, perhaps, purchasing) their finest tipples.
Other Activities and Entrance Fees (Per Person):
- Table Mountain Cable Car - return - R430 / Kids 4 to 17yrs R215
- Robben Island boat trip and tour - R600 / Kids under 18yrs R300
- Boulders Beach penguins - R215 adults / R105 kids under 11yrs
- Cape Point / Cape of Good Hope reserve - R445 adults / R225 kids under 11yrs
- Safari park - from R2800 - kids under 11yrs half price - 3 hour game drive - located 3 hours from Hermanus or Cape Town - Minibus transfers are a total of R7000 / 3 person Cars are R5000 - full 12 hour day activity.
Wine Tours of Hermanus - Hemel-en-Aarde wine valley
- From - R1500 per Adult for half day (4hrs)
- R2000 per Adult for full day (8to9hrs)
- Kids go for FREE. (This is from any central Hermanus accommodation / collection point and returning there afterwards.)
Lunch and Wine Tasting fees are for your pocket on the day as here are SO many options. Discounts available for groups - please contact usWine Tours to further locations like Stellenbosch & Franschhoek - please contact usWine valley (Hemel-en-Aarde) in Hermanus, return transfers just to/from Creation winery - 7 to 8 seater minibus = R2400 / 13 seater Quantum minibus = R4400 - includes waiting time
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Other Options:
- Shark cage diving and/or surface watching - GWS sightings are not guaranteed - at Kleinbaai / Gansbaai (45mins from Hermanus) from R2800 to R3355 - Kids discount = R1600 to R2150 per kid under 12 years
- Kayaking onto the ocean and along our pretty coastline, with (hopefully) - Cape Fur Seals, and maybe Dolphin and Penguins - R550 - 2 hours - (Kayaking occurs ALL year long)
- Hiking & Walking trails - mountains, beaches, rivers, lagoons, flowers, bird-watching, guided tours with Tour Guide - 3hrs to full day - totally tailor-made to your wishes and fitness levels - from R1000 to R3000 per person, depending upon your hiking tour schedule
- Cessna Plane Flights - NOW available (Maximum 5 persons) DEPARTING from Gansbaai (45mins drive from Hermanus) - over incredible mountain, ocean scenery and Whales (June to Dec) - TOTAL fee - divided by persons on board - 30mins = R8975 / 45mins = R12950 / 60mins = R17950
- Quad Biking in Hermanus - R900 - 90 mins
Transportation Costs
Getting to and from Hermanus requires planning, and transportation costs can vary. Here are some options:
- Cape Town Airport transfers to / from Hermanus:
- Cars (3 persons): R1800 total
- Kombi minibuses (7-8 seats): R3000 total
- Quantum minibuses (13 seater): R4600 total
- Cape Town City Centre to / from Hermanus:
- Car: R2000 total
- Kombi minibuses (7-8 seats): R3200 total
- Quantum minibuses (13 seater): R5400 total
Trailers available for extra luggage - R500
Wine region transfers / cab services of Hemel-en-Aarde, Hermanus, with dedicated drivers so that you can enjoy yourselves and do not drink and drive - R900 per hour for 7 seater / R1500 per hour for 13 seater - (collections/drop-offs from Hermanus addresses)
Important Considerations
Remember, we are dealing with wild animals, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. Refunds are therefore not considered in the event of non-sightings, however, a second tour is offered free of charge.
Disclaimer - Please be aware that - ALL Activities & Tour companies apply a 100% cancellation fee for bookings that are cancelled by YOU within 48 hours of the agreed & booked date/time slot
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CANCELLATION policy for ALL BOAT trips and ALL Activities - Tours must be cancelled at least 48 hrs before tour departure time. If the client cancels less than 48 hrs before tour departure time, a 100% cancellation fee applies. If the client does not arrive for their tour (a 'no show'), a 100% cancellation fee applies.
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