Whale Watching in South Africa


THE WHALE WATCHING GUIDE

15 Best Whale Watching in South Africa

The trips worth booking.

The 15 whale watching in south africa travellers rate most highly, gathered in one place. What you are likely to see, when the season runs, who skippers the boat, and what a place on deck costs.

15 Best Whale Watching in South Africa

Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise - Getting there and making sense of the 8:00 am start
Port Elizabeth, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

1.Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

A slow, small-group cruise from Port Elizabeth to Algoa Bay’s wildlife hotspots, with humpback whales, dolphins, and penguins at St. Croix.

Most Popular 5.0

“Fantastisk at se pingvinerne og opleve delfinerne som vi sejlede med i lang tid. Alle på båden var meget deltagende og bidrog med mange interessante fortællinger om både pingvinerne og delfinerne.”

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Whale Watching from Gansbaai - The 2-hour cruise flow: from harbor to whale-watching waters
Gansbaai, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

Whale Watching from Gansbaai

2.Whale Watching from Gansbaai

Small-boat whale watching from Gansbaai along De Keldar cliffs for Southern right whales, dolphins, sharks, penguins, and more.

5.0

“We did Whale Watching with Ivanhoe Safaris. It was not a nice experience. Approximately 15 drunk Russians sceaming every time we saw the whales coming out of the water. The guide did not tell them to shut up! The boat was smelly from petro, no drinks except water. Read more”

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Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus - The catamaran run from Hermanus New Harbour
Hermanus Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus

3.Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus

A 2-hour catamaran whale-watching trip from Hermanus with a whale specialist briefing, expert on-water spotting, and light refreshments.

4.5

“We had a very experienced guide who knew what he was talking about. He also told that the whales were early this season and that in August and September there were about 80-90 whales in the bay. Now there were about 8 whales. So you should not sell the trip as it bRead more”

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From Cape Town: Full Day Guided Hermanus and Whale Tour - Rotary Way: Where the Ocean and Hermanus Fit in One Shot
Cape Town Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

From Cape Town: Full Day Guided Hermanus and Whale Tour

Whale Watching Walking Tours (Land-Based) - from JUNE 2025 - The Whale House Museum: the 20-minute orientation that makes the coast make sense
Hermanus Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

Whale Watching Walking Tours (Land-Based) – from JUNE 2025

5.Whale Watching Walking Tours (Land-Based) – from JUNE 2025

Land-based Hermanus whale-watching walking tour with a private guide, clifftop coastal stops, and Whale House Museum admission.

5.0

“We met up with Percy on Friday and started at the whale museum he was very knowledgable and informative about all aspects of the whales. We had a good 3.30 hours around Hermanus talking in the views and surrounding area we unfortunately didn’t see any whales but it was still a very enjoyable trip would…”

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Whale Watching Knysna - Close Encounter Experience Ocean Odyssey - Check-in, indemnity, and life jackets: how the crew sets you up
Knysna, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

Whale Watching Knysna – Close Encounter Experience Ocean Odyssey

Hermanus Whale Watching Shared Boat Trip and Private Wine Tour from Cape Town - Southern Right Charters: what the whale boat experience feels like
Cape Town Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

Hermanus Whale Watching Shared Boat Trip and Private Wine Tour from Cape Town

7.Hermanus Whale Watching Shared Boat Trip and Private Wine Tour from Cape Town

Full-day Hermanus whale watching plus African penguins and a wine-country stop from Cape Town, with private transport and a shared boat trip.

4.5

“Despite some last minute shuffling around, the tour was excellent! Cornelius was fantastic and the company the whale watch was chartered through did an excellent job- whales all over the place and mostly right next to the boat!! The wine tours were just what we were looking for- great wines/ great venues and Cornelius also…”

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Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town - Bouchard Finlayson Winery Stop: A Real Break, Not Just a Photo Stop
Cape Town Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town

8.Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town

Shoreline Southern Right Whales in Hermanus plus a winery tasting and scenic drive from Cape Town, with optional boat time.

3.5

“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.”

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Hermanus Land based Whale Tour with Dave de Beer - The Hermanus Cliff Path Walk: Where the Best Views Happen
Hermanus Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

Hermanus Land based Whale Tour with Dave de Beer

Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus - The catamaran run from Hermanus New Harbour
Cape Town Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus

10.Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus

Early boat whale watching from Hermanus with a specialist briefing, catamaran comfort, and Paul’s on-water interpretation plus videography.

5.0

“I had an amazing time with Paul Polano Tours. He was humorous and friendly. He is really punctual as well. You should really spend your money on the company.”

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Whale Watching Hermanus - Boat base - The boat portion: what a 2-hour search feels like
Cape Town Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

Whale Watching Hermanus – Boat base

11.Whale Watching Hermanus – Boat base

Whale watching from Hermanus by boat in Walker Bay, with hotel pickup, a scenic coastal drive, and time to explore town after.

4.5

“In a group of almost 90 people! Online description said group of 8. It was okay. To expensive in my opinion. Even though we saw some southern right whales. That was fascinating.”

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1 Day Whale Watching at Yzerfontein - The offshore game plan: humpbacks, pods, and the smaller extras
Cape Town Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

1 Day Whale Watching at Yzerfontein

12.1 Day Whale Watching at Yzerfontein

1-day humpback whale watching from Yzerfontein. Small-group Meganova RIB, expert guidance, breakfast and picnic lunch. 6:30am start.

5.0

“Amazing trip I'd highly recommend, especially photographers! Small groups of people which makes the trip so much nicer. Although we didn't get to see a super group, we saw a lone juvenile Humpback and then a mother with her calf. PleRead more”

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Hermanus Whale Watching & Penguins Shared Tour from Cape Town - The boat cruise off Hermanus: where the magic happens
Cape Town Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

Hermanus Whale Watching & Penguins Shared Tour from Cape Town

Cape Town Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

Shark Cage Diving and Whale Watching Combo Experience in Gansbaai

Whale Watching Tour in Hermanus with Hotel Pickup - Hermanus by Boat: Your Best Odds in May–November
Cape Town Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching in South Africa

Whale Watching Tour in Hermanus with Hotel Pickup

15.Whale Watching Tour in Hermanus with Hotel Pickup

Private Hermanus whale watching with hotel pickup, boat time for close sightings, optional Betty’s Bay penguins, and flexible lunch stop.

5.0

“Tingo guided us on an awesome whale watching trip at Hermanus. It was a memorable experience thanks to the crew's expertise and enthusiasm. The whales were really close to us. The curious penguins at Betty Bay never fail to amaze me Read more”

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Every coast with a season worth booking, port by port.