Hermanus Whale Watching Tour: Wine & Coastal Drive
The kloof-top pathways offer some of the world's best shore-based whale watching during season.
A full-day guided tour from Cape Town to Hermanus combines a scenic coastal drive, exploration of the town's shops and galleries, wine tasting from the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, and a visit to Peregrine Farm Store for locally sourced produce and artisanal goods. The tour includes an English-speaking guide, leisure time to walk the kloof-top pathways where Southern Right whales are often sighted close to shore in season, and an optional whale-watching cruise. The 10-hour itinerary starts with a stop at the Pitstop, a 1950s-inspired diner on one of the world's most scenic routes.
Step-by-step itinerary
Hermanus whale watching and wine tasting
- Drive scenic coastal route
- Stop at Pitstop 1950’s diner
- Admire coastline and town views
- Whale sightseeing cruise (seasonal)
- Walk kloof top pathways for whale watching
- Explore Hermanus shops and galleries
- Urban wine tasting in Hemel en Aarde Valley
- Visit Peregrine Farm Stall for local produce
What’s included
- Guided tour with an English-speaking guide.
- scenic coastal drive with stops at the Pitstop diner and panoramic viewpoints.
- leisure time to explore Hermanus, walk the kloof-top pathways, and browse shops and galleries.
- urban wine tasting from Hemel-en-Aarde Valley producers.
- visit to Peregrine Farm Store with its locally sourced produce, artisanal goods, and café.
- WiFi on board.
Times
- Every day No fixed time
Before you book
Operated by City Sightseeing South Africa
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The experience
You leave Cape Town in the morning and drive the coastal route to Hermanus, stopping first at the Pitstop: a 1950s pump diner with a South African character, tucked into one of the world's most scenic stretches of road. The route itself is the draw: sweeping vistas of the coastline and ocean unfold as you climb toward the town. Your guide handles the commentary and the logistics. You take in the panorama and stop to photograph it.
Once in Hermanus, the day splits between structured moments and time on your own. You walk the kloof-top pathways, which offer some of the best shore-based whale watching in the world during season: close sightings of Southern Right whales are highly likely if they are present. The town itself is small enough to explore on foot: quaint shops, galleries, and cafés with views over Walker Bay. If whales are in the bay, you have the option to book a whale-sighting cruise (at additional cost). If not, the shore-based vantage points often deliver sightings anyway. Leisure time means you set the pace.
The second half of the day moves into food and wine. You taste wines produced in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, one of South Africa's most respected wine regions, then stop at Peregrine Farm Store: a Cape Dutch–style building in the Elgin Valley surrounded by orchards and gardens. The farm store stocks fresh local produce, baked goods, artisanal cheeses, and gourmet items. The café serves farm-to-table meals. It is the kind of stop where an hour disappears. Your guide is with you throughout. WiFi is available on board for the drive back to Cape Town.
Is this one for you?Book this if you want coast, whales, and wine tasting in one day with an English-speaking guide handling all navigation and stops.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2).
Can I see whales if I take this tour from Cape Town?
Southern Right whales appear in Walker Bay from June through November. During those months, the kloof-top pathways where you walk offer some of the world's best shore-based whale watching, and close sightings are highly likely. Outside season, the coastal scenery and the rest of the itinerary remain the same. An optional whale-sighting cruise is available in season at additional cost.
How long is the drive from Cape Town to Hermanus?
The full tour runs 10 hours from Cape Town. The coastal drive itself takes you through some of the world's most scenic routes, with a stop at the Pitstop diner partway. You have leisure time in Hermanus to explore the town and walk the kloof-top pathways at your own pace.
What is Peregrine Farm Store?
Peregrine is a farm store in the Elgin Valley housed in a Cape Dutch–style building. It sells fresh locally sourced produce, baked goods, artisanal cheeses, and gourmet items, and has a café serving farm-to-table meals. The stop is included in the tour itinerary.
Is lunch included in the tour?
Lunch is not included, but you have leisure time in Hermanus to eat at one of the town's cafés or restaurants with views over Walker Bay. Peregrine Farm Store also offers café meals and can be a lunch stop if you choose to eat there.
What wines will I taste on this tour?
You taste wines produced in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, one of South Africa's world-renowned wine regions. The specific wines depend on the estate or tasting venue visited on the day. Your guide will lead the tasting.
Do I need to be fit or experienced to do this tour?
The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You walk the kloof-top pathways at your own pace during leisure time in Hermanus, and the rest of the day involves driving and standing at viewpoints or in shops and tasting rooms. Infants can ride in a pram or stroller, and service animals are allowed.
Hermanus Whale Watching Tour: Wine & Coastal Drive
10h · EN
from US$ 81 per person
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