The 11 Best Whale Watching Tours in South Africa

1.Boat Based Whale Watching Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,180 reviews · 1h 30m · from $93Our pick

From Hermanus New Harbour, you’ll join an English-speaking crew for a 90-minute to two-hour boat trip across Walker Bay. Guides such as Philip and Peter explain whale behavior while you look for southern right whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds. Boats have an upper deck, and coffee is served before departure.

“tour guides very knowlegable and got to see 2 types of whales one with calf and dolphins on the way back to habour.👌”

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2.Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 807 reviews · 2 hours · from $98

From Hermanus New Harbour, Southern Right Charters takes you into Walker Bay for two hours of whale and dolphin watching. A whale specialist explains the animals as you see them, while the catamaran gives you room to spread out. Southern right whales are seasonal, Bryde’s whales and dolphins may appear year-round, and onboard refreshments are included.

“Great afternoon out, saw lots of Southern Rightback Whales, some even had their newly born babies with them! Amazing experience! Boat was a bit bouncy on the way back, make sure you take the tablets if you need them…”

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3.Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 687 reviews · from $185Top rated

Meet Jake and the Raggy Charters crew at 8am for a four-hour cruise from Port Elizabeth’s Nelson Mandela Bay Yacht Club. A maximum of 20 people head into Algoa Bay to look for humpback whales, dolphins, African penguins, seals, seabirds, and more. Sightings depend on season and sea conditions, but the slow pace leaves time for questions, photos, and wildlife care.

“Booked direct instead of cruise excursion saving a lot of money and Cruise used same boats we were on. Friendly and knowledgeable staff and we had a great time. Not many penguins these days on the island due to over fishing but we saRead more”

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4.Hermanus Whale Watching Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 378 reviews · 7 hours · from $221

You’ll travel from Cape Town to Gansbaai, then cruise the De Kelders cliffs toward Hermanus with an English-speaking guide. The boat carries 40 but is limited to 25 passengers. Look for Southern right whales, dolphins, seals, penguins, and seasonal sightings of humpbacks and orcas.

“We had an amazing day seeing the whales up close and swim right past our boat. This trip was worth every penny. Only one thing … the description mentions drinks and snacks which nobody received .”

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5.Plettenberg Bay: Whale Watching Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 362 reviews · 2 hours · from $49Best value

Join Ocean Safaris Garden Route for a two-hour whale-watching trip from Plettenberg Bay. Guides such as Andy and PK help spot whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds from a purpose-built cat-style speedboat. Morning departures are the safer bet for weather, and June to November offers the best chance of seeing Southern Right and Humpback Whales.

“Not the perfect season for whales but at least saw a Brydes whale. Best done in season with more sociable hump backs around. Sadly no dolphins but just our luck I guess. Not the cheapest boat tour around.”

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6.Whale Watching from Gansbaai

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 327 reviews · from $112

Set out from Gansbaai for a two-hour whale watch along the De Keldar cliffs. A professional crew, including guides such as Jan, Johan, and Jean, explains the marine life while you look for Southern right whales, calves, dolphins, seals, penguins, sharks, and other whales. The boat holds no more than 25 people and returns to the harbor.

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

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7.Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 205 reviews · from $91

Set out from Hermanus New Harbour on a purpose-built catamaran with a whale specialist, support crew, and videographer. The two-hour trip looks for southern right, humpback, and Bryde’s whales, plus dolphins and seals. Light refreshments are included, and children under 12 receive life jackets.

“Unfortunately our Hermanus Whale watching was cancelled due to poor weather. However I was very impressed with the operator, Southern Right Charters, who informed us at 08h00 of the cancellation and I was contacted within a couple of hours by Viator to offer mRead more”

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8.Full Day Guided Hermanus and Whale Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 155 reviews · from $51

Travel from Cape Town to Hermanus in a small group of up to 18, with an English-speaking guide such as Louis or Brahm. Expect a scenic coastal drive, shore-based whale watching, optional boat cruise, Hemel-en-Aarde wine tasting, and a stop at Peregrine Farm Stall.

“The coastal drive alone made the trip worthwhile but seeing the whales up close is something I will never forget. Our tour guides, Louis, wealth of knowledge was unbelievable and made the tour that much more interesting.”

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9.Whale Watching Tour in Hermanus and Gansbaai

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 110 reviews · 2 hours · from $249

Ride from Cape Town with a local English-speaking guide such as Neil or Bruce, stopping along the Overberg coast before a two-hour Ivanhoe Sea Safaris cruise from Gansbaai. Look for southern right whales, seals, and dolphins, then visit Hermanus and Peregrine Farm Stall. Pickup, entrance fees, and return transport are included.

“perfect organisation, a verry charming and helpfull guide (neil fergusson) he was verry flexible from the route planing. we saw a lot of whales, direct in front of us. absolutly to recommended!!”

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10.Whale Watching Walking Tours (Land-Based) – from JUNE 2025

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 88 reviews · from $57

Meet Percy at The Whale House Museum in Hermanus for a 2 to 3-hour private whale-watching walk. Start with a 20-minute look at whale skeletons and marine displays, then ride between 5 to 7 coastal viewpoints and walk paved paths in search of whales, dolphins, seals, and other sea life.

“Alles perfekt geklappt. Percy hat dieses Erlebnis für mich toll gemacht..auf individuelle Wünsche eingegangen..Man merkt dass er seinen Job gern macht und dann aber auch noch die Extrameile geht und auch mit seiner Kamera Fotos macht zur Erinnerung . Danke”

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11.Hermanus Whale Watching Shared Boat Trip and Private Wine Tour from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 38 reviews · from $242

Leave Cape Town around 6:30 am in a private vehicle with a guide such as John, Kelly, Samson, or Barnabas. Take a 2 to 3-hour shared boat trip from Hermanus, then visit a wine estate, stop at Stony Point’s penguin colony, and return by the scenic R44. Whale trips run June through mid-December and depend on good weather.

“visite des baleines depuis un bateau, un peu déçu car les bateaux ne sont pas autorisés de s'approcher à moins de 50 M des baleines.”

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