FAQ | Frequently asked questions about Whale Watching in Hermanus.

FAQ about your whale-watching tour

Every whale-watching trip is an unique experience and the sightings vary. from trip to trip.

• Southern Right Whales are the stars of the show from June – November during the annual whale-watching season.
• Humpback Whales migrate through our waters from June to September, or even as late as October on their way to their breeding grounds in Mozambique.
• Brydes Whales are resident all year round
• Common Dolphins
• Bottlenose Dolphins 
• Endangered Humpback Dolphins
• Endangered African Penguins
• Cape Fur Seals
• A variety of seabirds

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE SEA AND WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE NOT SUITABLE?

Our staff constantly monitors the weather and responds professionally to any changes. Passengers traveling to join us on the day of their trip are strongly advised to telephone us for a sea condition update.

IF MY TOUR IS CANCELLED, WILL I BE TRANSFERRED TO THE NEXT ONE?

When the skipper cancels a trip because of the weather we offer 2 options:

1. Reschedule- change the booking to the next available tour.
2.  Full refund
3. PLEASE NOTE: Trip cancellations will be communicated via email and SMS to the contact details you supplied when you made the booking. Please check your emails & phone messages while in transit.

HOW LONG IS THE TOUR?

All trips are 2 hours including check-in time and safety briefing. Allow 2 hours of traveling time from Cape Town.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

• Weather-appropriate clothing, remember it’s always a little colder at sea than it is on land
• Sensible shoes (No high heel shoes and flip-flops)
• Sunblock, sunglasses & cap, or hat
• Windbreaker jacket,
• Camera (remember to charge your camera/phone )

WHAT IF I SUFFER FROM MOTION SICKNESS?

If you are susceptible to motion sickness you should take motion-sickness tablets the night before the trip as a necessary precaution prior to the trip.

What are the chances of seeing a whale while whale watching?

While we do not guarantee whale sightings on our tours, 20 years of sightings data shows that we do have a 90% chance of seeing whales during the peak months of June – October. Towards the middle of November, the whale sightings will become less because the whales will start their migratory journey back to Antarctica.

Hermanus Whale Watchers does not offer refunds on trips when there are NO WHALE SIGHTINGS.

Which month is best for whale watching in South Africa?

When is the best time to go whale watching in South Africa?
To see the migratory southern right and humpback whales, visit between June and November. The best months are  August to October.

The  Hermanus Whale Festival taking place at the end of September. This is the time when the town welcomes their most famous visitors – southern right whales.

Which town is most famous for whale watching in South Africa?

It’s not every day that you see a whale. And there are even fewer days where you can see one from your bed. But in Hermanus, South Africa’s premier land-based whale-watching destination, this is more than feasible, with guesthouses and hotels overlooking Walker Bay.

Is a whale-watching tour worth it?

It depends on whether you are a nature lover and admire animals in their natural environment

Whale Watching provides amazing opportunities for spotting these gentle giants from the coastal cliff path and even closer to a boat.

FAQ – What Does Our Whale Watching Boat Look Like?

See Image below

FAQ – How does a Southern Right Whale look?

See Image below