Hermanus whale watching from Cape Town: Boat trip & penguins
Watch Southern Right Whales from a boat, then walk among African penguins on the same day
A private whale watching tour from Cape Town to Hermanus combines a 2-3 hour boat excursion to see Southern Right Whales up close with visits to the Hemel-en-Aarde Winelands and Stony Point Penguin Colony on the return journey. Your guide handles the drive from Cape Town, briefs you on whale behavior before boarding, and the skipper positions the boat whenever whales are spotted. Lunch and wine tasting are optional stops you arrange separately.
Step-by-step itinerary
Whale watching and wine tasting
- Early morning pick up in Cape Town
- Drive to Hermanus (1.5 hours)
- Whale watching briefing at New Harbour
- 2-3 hour whale watching boat trip
- Lunch at seaside or Hemel-en-Aarde Winelands
- Wine tasting at Benguela Cove Wine Estate
- Visit Stony Point Penguin Colony
- Drive back to Cape Town via scenic R44 coastline
- Drop off at accommodation in Cape Town
- Benguela Cove 1h 30m
- Stony Point Penguin Colony Entry included 30m
What’s included
- Pickup and drop-off at your Cape Town accommodation.
- private tour guide and driver.
- vehicle and fuel.
- whale watching boat trip with an experienced specialist briefing.
- bottled water onboard the vehicle.
- entry to Stony Point Penguin Colony.
Times
- Every day 06:30
Last departure this season: 30 Nov
Another time? ›Before you book
Operated by Beyond Africa Safaris (Pty)Ltd
Prices and times updated today
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The experience
Hermanus sits 90 minutes south of Cape Town and is one of the world's best land-based whale watching destinations, but the boat trip puts you closer. You're picked up at your accommodation around 6:30 am and driven to New Harbour in Hermanus, where an experienced whale watching specialist briefs you before you board a modern shared boat with toilet facilities. The 2-3 hour excursion is built around what the skipper and crew spot: when a whale surfaces, the boat stops so everyone gets a clear view. Southern Right Whales migrate along this coast and can be seen from June through November, though sightings depend on the season and conditions on the day.
After the boat returns to New Harbour, you have the option to lunch at one of the seaside restaurants in Hermanus or head inland to the Hemel-en-Aarde Winelands (the name means Heaven and Earth). Benguela Cove is the recommended estate for wine tasting, though you arrange and pay for tastings separately. The winelands sit on the same route back to Cape Town, so the detour fits naturally into the day.
On the return drive along the scenic R44 coastline, you stop at Stony Point Penguin Colony in Betty's Bay, one of the largest African penguin colonies in South Africa. You walk among the penguins and get close views of one or two of these birds before heading back to Cape Town, arriving at your accommodation roughly 10 hours after pickup. Bottled water is provided onboard the vehicle throughout the day.
Is this one for you?The guide speaks English and French, so if you are comfortable with either language, you'll follow the whale briefing and commentary throughout the day. Children from age 2 are welcome, and the tour suits all fitness levels, though the boat trip involves being on the ocean for 2-3 hours and the penguin colony walk is on uneven ground.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and French.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 13 years); Infant (2 to 4 years).
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
When do Southern Right Whales appear off Hermanus?
Southern Right Whales migrate along the South African coast from June through November, with peak sightings typically in September and October. Sightings on any given day depend on weather and ocean conditions, so there is no guarantee, but the boat is positioned to maximize encounters whenever whales are present.
What happens if whales are not spotted during the boat trip?
The skipper and crew actively search for whales throughout the 2-3 hour excursion and will reposition the boat as soon as one is sighted. If no whales appear, you still get the full boat experience and the rest of the day's stops at the winelands and penguin colony.
Can I do the wine tasting without paying extra?
Wine tasting fees are not included in the tour price and are paid separately at the estate. The stop in Hemel-en-Aarde gives you the option to taste. Lunch at any of the restaurants is also your own account.
How close do you get to the penguins at Stony Point?
Stony Point Penguin Colony allows close-up encounters with African penguins. You walk among them and typically get to see one or two of these birds up close during the visit.
Is there time to eat lunch during the tour?
Yes. After the boat trip, you stop in Hermanus or the Hemel-en-Aarde Winelands for lunch, which you choose and pay for separately. The timing allows for a meal before continuing back to Cape Town.
What is the drive time from Cape Town to Hermanus?
The drive from Cape Town to Hermanus takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes each way. The return journey along the R44 coastline is scenic and includes the stop at Stony Point Penguin Colony.
Hermanus whale watching from Cape Town: Boat trip & penguins
10h · EN · FR · at your hotel
from US$ 274 per person
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