Hermanus Whale Watching Full Day Tour with Cape Town Transport

Wine estates and botanical gardens lead to the whales, not the other way around.

A full-day whale watching tour departing Cape Town with hotel pickup, traveling through the Winelands and botanical reserves before reaching Hermanus for land-based whale viewing and an optional boat trip. The itinerary includes wine tasting at Benguela Cove, entrance to Harold Porter Botanical Gardens, and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with a registered guide who speaks English, Portuguese, Italian, French and one additional language. Lunch is included; the whale-watching boat trip is optional and arranged on the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day whale watching tour

• Pick up at your hotel
• Drive through Gordon’s Bay, Pringle Bay, Betty’s Bay
• Visit Harold Porter Botanical Gardens
• Drive through Hamilton Russell Wine Estate
• Drive Rotary Drive and Fernkloof Nature Reserve
• Arrive in Hermanus
• Land based whale watching
• Optional whale-watching boat trip
• Wine tasting at Benguela Cove
• Drive Sir Lowry’s Pass
• Drop off at your hotel

The Experience

The tour departs between 8am and 9am from your hotel and doesn't return until 5:30pm, so the day is built around seeing whales without rushing the route that gets you there. You'll travel through Gordon's Bay, Pringle Bay and Betty's Bay on the way to the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens, then drive through Hamilton Russell Wine Estate (closed Sundays) before reaching Hermanus. The air-conditioned vehicle keeps you comfortable across the full stretch, and a registered guide narrates the stops in your choice of five languages.

Hermanus itself is where the land-based whale watching happens — you'll stand on the cliffs and watch the southern right whales move through the bay, especially during the June-to-November season when they migrate close to shore. The optional whale-watching boat trip is arranged on arrival, so you can decide once you've seen what's visible from land. Before heading back to Cape Town, you'll stop at Benguela Cove for wine tasting, and lunch is included in the day.

The route also takes in Rotary Drive and Fernkloof Nature Reserve, so the experience is not just the whales but the landscape they move through. Sir Lowry's Pass marks the return journey. Wi-Fi is available on board, and the vehicle has specialized infant seats if you're traveling with small children.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cape Town.
• private air-conditioned transport for the full day.
• entrance to Harold Porter Botanical Gardens.
• wine tasting at Benguela Cove.
• lunch.
• registered tour guide in five languages.
• Wi-Fi on board.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Matadi Africa And Travel Tours

Is this one for you?The full eight-hour day means you're not racing between the wine route and the whales — both get their time, and the pace is set by the itinerary, not by how much you want to fit in. If you're traveling with infants or small children, specialized seats and pram space are available, so the long drive doesn't require you to arrange extra equipment.

Top questions

When is the best time to see whales on this tour from Cape Town?

Southern right whales are closest to the Hermanus coast between June and November, when they migrate into the bay to calve and breed. Land-based viewing from the cliffs is most reliable during these months, though whales can appear outside this window.

Is the whale-watching boat trip included, or do I pay extra?

The whale-watching boat trip is optional and arranged on the day once you arrive in Hermanus. You'll see what's visible from land first, then decide whether to go out on the water.

Does the tour stop at the wine estate if I'm visiting on a Sunday?

The drive through Hamilton Russell Wine Estate is closed on Sundays, so the itinerary adjusts on that day. You'll still visit the botanical gardens and reach Hermanus for whale watching.

What languages does the guide speak?

The registered guide speaks English, Portuguese, Italian, French and one additional language. Confirm your preferred language at booking.