Whale Watching in South Africa


WHALE WATCHING TRAVELER

15 Best Whale Watching in South Africa

The trips worth heading out on.

The 15 whale watching in south africa travellers head out on most, side by side. What you are likely to see, how far offshore the boat goes, how long you are out, the operator running it and what a place on board costs.

15 Best Whale Watching in South Africa

Whale Watching from Gansbaai - Southern Right Whales: What You’re Really Searching For
Gansbaai Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

Whale Watching from Gansbaai

1.Whale Watching from Gansbaai

2-hour whale watching from Gansbaai along De Keldar cliffs. Spot Southern right whales, dolphins, sharks and penguins with small-boat comfort.

Most Popular 5.0

“We chose Ivanhoe as the boats are not too big, making it a more personal experience. We soon found the majestic Southern Right Whales, several Mums with Calf’s . They swam right along side the boat, so relaxed . Very emotional experience. The tour is only two hours long , we could all have stayed…”

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Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus - The morning briefing: how the guide helps you spot whales faster
Hermanus Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus

2.Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus

A 2-hour catamaran whale-watching trip from Hermanus, led by a whale specialist, with light refreshments and strong chances to spot southern right whales.

4.5

“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 me a re-schedule or a refund. I opted for the refund and…”

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Whale Watching Walking Tours (Land-Based) - from JUNE 2025 - 5–7 Coastal Stops by Vehicle, Then Walking Between Viewpoints
Hermanus Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

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

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

Land-based whale watching in Hermanus: private guide, walk coastal viewpoints, visit Whale House Museum. Pickup and mobile ticket.

5.0

“Excellent trip. Mr. Percy is a fantastic person and like a family and friend in Hermanus. He gave us an excellent orientation tour of the town, tour to the whale museum, a trip to Fernkloof Nature Reserve and drove us along all the coast stopping Read more”

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Whale Watching Knysna - Close Encounter Experience Ocean Odyssey - The boat ride and The Heads: what happens before the whales
Knysna Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

Whale Watching Knysna – Close Encounter Experience Ocean Odyssey

Hermanus Whale Watching Shared Boat Trip and Private Wine Tour from Cape Town - When the ocean changes the plan: still worth your day
Cape Town Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

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

Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town - Shoreline Whale Watching: Choosing the Best Viewpoints in Hermanus
Cape Town Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town

6.Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town

Shore-based southern right whale watching in Hermanus, coastal drive back to Cape Town, Bouchard Finlayson wine tasting, and penguins.

3.5

“I booked the Full day whale watching in Hermanus trip from Cape Town. Not up to the usual Viator standards, by far. The tour as advertised in the UK is not what we got. We were not taken to the cliff top walk we were given restricted time in tRead more”

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Gansbaai: Shark Dive & Whale Watching Combo Boat Trip - Kleinbaai morning: breakfast, wet suit, and the ride out to Dyer Island
Garden Route Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

Gansbaai: Shark Dive & Whale Watching Combo Boat Trip

Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus - The morning briefing: how the guide helps you spot whales faster
Cape Town Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus

8.Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus

Boat whale watching from Hermanus New Harbour with an expert briefing, catamaran comfort, and a guided search for humpbacks and more.

5.0

“We recently went on a whale-watching tour, and while we couldn’t see any whales, the experience was still memorable. Our guide, Paul, was friendly and knowledgeable, making the trip enjoyable despite the circumstances. He even went the Read more”

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Whale Watching Hermanus - Boat base - What Happens During the Two Hours on the Water
Cape Town Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

Whale Watching Hermanus – Boat base

9.Whale Watching Hermanus – Boat base

Boat whale watching from Hermanus to Walker Bay with hotel pickup, Clarens Drive scenic drive, dolphins and seals, and time in town.

4.5

“The boat was far too small for the number of people take onboard... much too small especially since the weather was not good and the seas were rough bouncing passengers around, many got seasick and there was no way for all to sit and get away from the vomit.... waveRead more”

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Hermanus Whale Watching & Penguins Shared Tour from Cape Town - What whales you might spot off Hermanus (and why you should stay flexible)
Cape Town Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

Hermanus Whale Watching & Penguins Shared Tour from Cape Town

1 Day Whale Watching at Yzerfontein - Meganova on the water: comfort, safety, and a crew that runs the show
Cape Town Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

1 Day Whale Watching at Yzerfontein

Whale Watching Tour in Hermanus with Hotel Pickup - Pickup, comfort, and avoiding the chaos
Cape Town Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

Whale Watching Tour in Hermanus with Hotel Pickup

12.Whale Watching Tour in Hermanus with Hotel Pickup

Private whale watching in Hermanus with hotel pickup, expert spotting tips, and optional Betty’s Bay penguins plus time for lunch.

5.0

“We had a fantastic day with Tingo, visiting Hermanus, seeing whales and dolphins, and visiting Betty’s bay to see penguins and finishing off with the beautiful scenery at the coast. Tingo is an excellent and knowledgeable guide who knRead more”

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Cape Town Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

Shark Cage Diving and Whale Watching Combo Experience in Gansbaai

Whale Watching Tour from Cape Town - Harold Porter Botanical Garden: A Break That Actually Feels Like Nature
Cape Town Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

Whale Watching Tour from Cape Town

14.Whale Watching Tour from Cape Town

Spend a full day from Cape Town to Hermanus for Southern Right whales and calves, with scenic stops, cliff views, and optional boat rides.

3.5

“The only reason this didn't get five stars from me is because I could only book the boat trip on the day, which relied on there being spaces. Since the whole reason for me booking this was to get on the boat trip, this was disappointing because at one point, it looked likRead more”

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Hermanus Whale Watching and Wine Tasting Private Tour - Cape Town to Hermanus: Sir Lowry’s Pass plus the Whale Coast Route (R44)
Cape Town Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

Hermanus Whale Watching and Wine Tasting Private Tour

15.Hermanus Whale Watching and Wine Tasting Private Tour

Private Hermanus whale watching plus wine tasting from Cape Town, with a penguin stop at Stony Point and scenic drives.

5.0

“We had a great experience with Golden Eagle!We loved the tour from the moment it started to the end!I really wanted to visit the Cape of Golden Hope!It is historically and ecologically an interesting spot!The Table mountain as one of the seveRead more”

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