Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town
Traveler rating
3.6/5
Based on 29 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town worth booking?
Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town is a 9.5-hour experience in Cape Town, South Africa, from $121 per person. It scores 56 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.6/5 rating across 29 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 56 / 100
- Rating
- 3.6/5 (29)
- Duration
- 9.5 hours
- From
- $121 per person
This circular tour takes you over a mountain pass to the seaside town of Hermanus. This town, nestled between mountains and the sea is not only very beautiful but offers some of the best shore-based whale watching opport
What you get
About this experience
This circular tour takes you over a mountain pass to the seaside town of Hermanus. This town, nestled between mountains and the sea is not only very beautiful but offers some of the best shore-based whale watching opportunities in the world (July – November). Close sightings of the Southern Right whale are likely. En route we are treated to a delicious wine tasting at a family-owned wine estate. On a Sunday, a visit to the Stony Point Penguin Colony will be included instead of a wine tasting, to have a look at a unique colony of African penguins (time permitting) before returning to Cape Town in the afternoon.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop off from Cape Town City Centre Hotels
- Professional English speaking tour guide
- 1 x Wine tasting
Not included
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Gratuities
- Boat based whale experience (subject to availability)
What you'll see and do
Bouchard Finlayson Winery
2020 Season - Enjoy a wine tasting at Bouchard Finlayson, a boutique winery in Hermanus dedicated to the making of Pinot noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc wines.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Cape Town
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Wed, Fri, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Cullinan Guided Journeys
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- A minimum of 2 adults per booking is required
- Seasonal: the tour runs from July - November only
- Tour Departs Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays only
- Wine Estate is closed on Sundays. A stop at Stoney Point penguin colony will be included instead on Sundays.
- If guests are making their own way to a listed pick-up point, they need to allow sufficient travelling time (ie... traffic delays etc...) in order to arrive at the pickup point in time for collection.
- Should guests not arrive by the scheduled departure time, the tour will depart and no refunds will be given.
- It is compulsory that guests contact us 48 hours prior to tour departure to re-confirm pick up and drop off details. Should clients not make contact with us by 48 hours prior to travel date, the booking will automatically be cancelled.
- It is compulsory that guests contact us 48 hours prior to tour departure to re-confirm that they will still be travelling on the tour. Should clients not make contact with us by 48 hours prior to travel date, the booking will automatically be cancelled.
- When more than one person is travelling – we require names and last names of all guests travelling (reason being if tour booking is made with one person and the hotel reservation is made under another, we will be informed by the hotel that there ais nobody by that name at the hotel which will result in delays and could cause the guests to miss the tour).
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 29 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
6 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
29 verified traveler reviews for Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Hermanus Whales tour
The tour was amazing and the guide as well but when I booked the tour it said it was with a wine tasting and ticket entry as well and the day of the tour we didn’t do it and the guide was not told that was the tour we booked.
Response from the operator: Good Afternoon Thank you for your feedback received. We are so sorry that you were disappointed with your Full day Hermanus Tour. We will pass on your feedback onto management.
via Viator
A great experience
Hermanus and the whale watching were amazing definitely worth doing. It would have been nice to have a little more time in Hermanus itself as the addition of the boat trip meant that we struggled for time. Jean our guide was great and made a booking for lunch in a lovely restaurant.
Response from the operator: Good Morning Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your feedback. We are pleased to hear you had an amazing day.
via Viator
Great Tour Guide!
Our tour guide, Armoy Olivier, was absolutely fabulous. He talked with the locals about best places to see the whales and made sure we had a wonderful day. I recommend you contact him about any trip you want to take.
Response from the operator: Good Afternoon Thank you for taking the time and providing us with your feedback. We are thrilled to hear you enjoyed your Hermanus Tour with the Guide Armoy.
via Viator
Disappointing
We had a driver rather than a guide. He did the minimal effort to explain and even mentioned “I appreciate you talking among yourselves”
Response from the operator: Hi there, Thank you for taking the time and provide us with your feedback. We are very disappointed to learn of your experience with the guide. We are investigating the matter and will take the required remedial action. We apologize for the less than satisfactory experience.
via Viator
Awesome day out with the whales!
A full day tour that brought us to many scenic places along the coast, with a 2hour boat ride out to catch the whales basking in the sun, followed by a yummy lunch in a quaint village. A perfect day!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 9.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Wed, Fri, Sun
- Price range
- $121 to $4180
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 10
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Cullinan Guided Journeys, who run 25 experiences we rank across 4 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 59.7.
See everything Cullinan Guided Journeys runsWhy this scores 56
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cape Town.
How much does Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town cost?
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Prices start at $121 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cape Town usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town take?
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Plan for about 9.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cape Town is not rushed.
Is Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 56 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.6/5 across 29 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cape Town, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town?
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Around 10 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cape Town can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cape Town and add a light layer if any part of the 9.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cape Town within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cape Town?
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On Outty we rank every Cape Town experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cape Town: Lion's Head Sunrise/Sunset Hike, Ocean Wildlife Encounter in Cape Town, Private Full Day Stellenbosch Wine Tour with Pick Up and Drop Off. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cape Town?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cape Town?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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