When is the best time for whale watching in Hermanus?

The official whale watching season in Hermanus runs from June to November. During this time, Southern Right Whales visit Walker Bay to mate and calve. Peak sightings usually occur between August and October.

What can I see during the summer months (December - May)?

While Southern Right Whales are seasonal, our summer boat trips frequently encounter resident Bryde's Whales, large pods of Common and Bottlenose Dolphins, Cape Fur Seals, and African Penguins in Walker Bay.

How long is a whale watching boat trip?

A standard trip with Hermanus Whale Watchers lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. This includes the voyage into Walker Bay to find the whales and ample time for observation and photography.

Is the boat trip safe for children and seniors?

Yes, our vessel 'Unathi' is a stable 15-meter catamaran designed for comfort. We welcome passengers of all ages, and our SAMSA-registered skipper and SATOUR guides ensure a safe experience for everyone.

Do I need to book in advance?

We highly recommend booking in advance, especially during the peak season (Sept-Oct). You can book online via our website or contact our office directly to secure your seats.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Whale watching is weather-dependent. If sea conditions are unsafe, we will notify you and offer to reschedule your trip or provide a full refund. Safety is always our primary concern.

Where do the whale watching boat trips depart from?

Our trips depart from the New Harbour in Hermanus. Please arrive at our office 30 minutes before your scheduled launch time for a safety briefing.

Whale Watching with Hermanus Whale Watchers

Looking for the best whale watching in Hermanus? Hermanus Whale Watchers offers exciting boat-based whale watching trips that bring you up close to Southern Right whales in their natural ocean environment.

The Southern Right whale watching season runs from June to the end of November, when these magnificent whales arrive in Walker Bay to mate and calve before returning to their Antarctic feeding grounds.

The Best Boat-Based Whale Watching in Hermanus

Hermanus in South Africa is the Land Based Whale Watching capital of the world and every whale-watching trip is a unique experience where the sightings vary. Southern Right Whales are the stars of the show during the annual mating in calving season, which starts with the arrival of the bulls in June, closely followed by the females. They will mate during their time in the South African Cape Coastal waters. Pregnant female Southern Right Whales will be the last to arrive and the last to leave with their newborn calves. Only when the calves are fit enough will they swim back to the Antarctic waters where she and the calf will feed on krill, a nutritious rice grain size crustacean.

On a typical whale-watching trip, you may encounter Cape Fur Seals, pods of common dolphins, or the playful bottlenose dolphins and the endangered African penguins. Depending on the time of the season you may also see migrating Humpback Whales or the resident Bryde’s Whales. The Hermanus Walker Bay area also attracts a large concentration and variety of seabirds.

WHALE WATCHING SEASON: 1 June 2026 – 30 November 2026

BOAT-BASED WHALE WATCHING TRIP TIMES:

Launch Times: 7:00 am; 9:00 am; 11:00 am; 14:00 pm; and 16:00 pm
Hermanus Whale Watchers operates trips every day (weather permitting)

We look forward to share your whale watching experience on our next trip.

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Boat and Crew

THE BOAT – Unathi is a 36 seater, 15-meter catamaran with two 380HP inboard diesel engines. THE CREW: You will be accompanied by SAMSA registered skipper + SATOUR registered guides

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Whale Watching Trip

An exhilarating hour-and-a-half voyage to discover Walkerbay’s wonderful wildlife, stunning coastline and famous whales. Our boat is called Unathi

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How do I make a reservation?

Book Online Now
eMail: bookings@whalewatchers.biz
Call +27 (0)28 312 4957 or 082 931 8064

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BOAT AND CREW

ALL ABOUT WHALES

Whale Watching FAQ – Hermanus Whale Watchers

Current whale watching rates for 2026 are:

Adults: R1500 per person
Students/Seniors: R1350 per person
Children under 13 years: R750 per person
Children under 3 years: FREE
Private charters: Quoted on request

These rates apply to the standard boat-based whale watching experience

The Southern Right whale season runs from June to November, with peak viewing between August and October.

The boat-based whale watching experience lasts approximately 2 hours.
Please arrive 30 minutes before departure to allow time for check-in and the mandatory safety briefing.

Every trip is unique because the whales and marine life are wild and free. During the season you may encounter Southern Right whales, humpback whales, Bryde’s whales, dolphins, seals, penguins, and seabirds in Walker Bay.

Yes — booking is strongly recommended, especially during peak season, to avoid disappointment.

Book Online Now
Email: bookings@whalewatchers.biz
Call +27 (0)28 312 4957 or 082 931 8064

Passenger safety comes first. If the skipper cancels due to sea or weather conditions, you will be offered the option to reschedule or receive a full refund.

If you are prone to motion sickness, it is recommended to take preventative medication the night before and before your trip.

Whales are wild animals, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. However, historical data shows about a 90% chance of sightings during peak months.

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