Question 1

What is the best time for whale watching in Hermanus?

Accepted Answer

The Hermanus whale watching season generally runs from June to December, with peak Southern Right Whale activity typically during September and October. There is no guaranteed best time of day to go whale watching, as every trip offers a different experience depending on whale movements, weather and sea conditions.

Question 2

Is morning or afternoon better for whale watching in Hermanus?

Accepted Answer

There is no fixed best time of day for whale watching in Hermanus. Morning and afternoon trips can both produce excellent sightings, and each trip is different because whale activity, sea conditions and weather can change throughout the day.

Question 3

Where do whale watching boats leave from in Hermanus?

Accepted Answer

Boat-based whale watching trips in Hermanus depart from the New Harbour, located approximately 2 km from the town centre. Guests are requested to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure to allow sufficient time for harbour entry, parking, check-in, safety briefing and life jacket fitting before boarding.

Question 4

Is there a harbour entry fee or parking at the Hermanus New Harbour?

Accepted Answer

Visitors entering the New Harbour should note that a small harbour entry fee may be payable at the harbour gate. This fee is controlled by the harbour authorities and is subject to change. There is generally ample parking available within the New Harbour. Parking is at the visitor's own risk, although the area is generally considered safe during normal operating hours.

Question 5

Are there restaurants at the Hermanus New Harbour?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The New Harbour is home to several popular restaurants and bars where visitors can enjoy breakfast, lunch, drinks or a meal before or after their whale watching trip, including Harbour Rock Restaurant, Gecko Bar & Restaurant and Quayside Cabin.

Question 6

How long does a whale watching trip in Hermanus last?

Accepted Answer

A standard Hermanus whale watching trip lasts between 1.5 and 2 hours on the water. This gives the skipper enough time to find whales, stay with them respectfully and reach the prime viewing zones across Walker Bay. Total time at the harbour, including the safety briefing and disembarking, is usually around three hours.

Question 7

How much does whale watching cost in Hermanus?

Accepted Answer

Whale watching in Hermanus costs R1,580 per adult, R1,480 for pensioners and students, R790 for children under 12 and is free for children under three. Prices include the boat trip, life jackets, a qualified marine guide and harbour fees. Group, family and special-season rates are available on request through our booking team.

Question 8

Is Hermanus really the best whale watching destination in the world?

Accepted Answer

Hermanus is widely recognised as one of the top three land-based whale watching destinations on earth. Walker Bay's deep, sheltered waters bring Southern Right Whales extremely close to shore, sometimes within five metres of the cliffs. The town also has the world's only Whale Crier, who blows a kelp horn whenever whales are spotted.

Question 9

Can I see whales from the shore in Hermanus?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Hermanus is famous for excellent land-based whale watching from the 12 km Cliff Path. From June to December you can often see Southern Right Whales breaching, lobtailing and nursing calves just metres from the rocks. Gearing's Point, Sievers Point and the Old Harbour are the most reliable viewing spots.

Question 10

What makes whale watching in Gansbaai special?

Accepted Answer

Gansbaai is best known for the Marine Big 5 experience: Southern Right Whales, great white sharks, Cape fur seals, African penguins and bottlenose or common dolphins, all in one trip. Trips depart from Kleinbaai harbour and head into the rich waters around Dyer Island and Geyser Rock, one of the world's most diverse marine ecosystems.

Question 11

When is whale season in Gansbaai?

Accepted Answer

Whale season in Gansbaai runs from June to December, with the highest concentration of Southern Right Whales between August and November. Humpback Whales pass through on migration in winter and again in late summer. Because trips combine whales with sharks, seals and penguins, Gansbaai offers good marine wildlife viewing all year round.

Question 12

How far is Gansbaai from Hermanus?

Accepted Answer

Gansbaai is about 40 km from Hermanus along the R43, roughly a 35 to 40 minute drive. Many visitors stay in Hermanus and do a Gansbaai Marine Big 5 trip as a day excursion. The coastal road passes Stanford and the Klein River lagoon, both popular stops for lunch or birdwatching on the way.

Question 13

Can you go whale watching from Cape Town?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can go whale watching from Cape Town in several ways. False Bay tours depart from Simon's Town and Hout Bay, while the most reliable trips are full-day excursions to Hermanus or Gansbaai with hotel pickups in Cape Town. Whales appear in False Bay between June and November, with Southern Rights and Humpbacks the most common.

Question 14

How long is the drive from Cape Town to Hermanus for whale watching?

Accepted Answer

The drive from Cape Town to Hermanus takes about 1 hour 30 minutes via the N2 and R43, a distance of roughly 120 km. The scenic R44 coastal route through Gordon's Bay and Betty's Bay takes around 2 hours and is one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the country, with regular whale sightings in season.

Question 15

Do you offer hotel pickup from Cape Town for whale watching?

Accepted Answer

We do not run our own transfers, but we work with trusted Cape Town and airport transfer operators who can collect guests from their hotel and bring them through to Hermanus or Gansbaai for a whale watching trip. Let us know your pickup point when you enquire and we will arrange a quote.

Question 16

Is whale watching good in Mossel Bay?

Accepted Answer

Mossel Bay offers excellent year-round marine tours, with whale watching from late June to early December. Southern Right Whales, Humpback Whales and Bryde's Whales are seen in the bay, along with bottlenose dolphins, Cape fur seals at Seal Island and the occasional great white shark. Trips depart from the Mossel Bay harbour near the Bavarian Castle.

Question 17

What whales can you see in Mossel Bay?

Accepted Answer

Mossel Bay is one of the few South African destinations where you can see Bryde's Whales year round, alongside Southern Right Whales and Humpback Whales in winter and spring. Humpbacks often breach and tail-slap on migration, while Bryde's Whales feed on sardine and pilchard shoals just outside the bay throughout the year.

Question 18

Can you go whale watching in Knysna?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Knysna offers boat-based whale watching trips that depart from Thesen Island, just inside the famous Knysna Heads. Humpback Whales are the main attraction, seen on their northbound migration from June to August and again from October to early January as they head south. Southern Right Whales are most reliable from July through October.

Question 19

When is the Humpback Whale season in Knysna?

Accepted Answer

Humpback Whale season in Knysna runs from June through to early January. The northbound peak migration is between June and August, when whales travel toward Mozambique to breed. The southbound peak is from October to early January, when mothers and calves head back to Antarctic feeding grounds and often pass close to the Knysna Heads.

Question 20

Where do Knysna whale watching trips depart from?

Accepted Answer

Knysna whale watching trips depart from Thesen Island, inside the Knysna Lagoon. Guests check in at the harbour office on the island, board a licensed permit boat and head out through the dramatic Knysna Heads into the open ocean. The trip itself lasts about 2 hours and is weather and sea condition dependent.

Question 21

Is whale watching good in Plettenberg Bay?

Accepted Answer

Plettenberg Bay is one of the best whale watching destinations on South Africa's Garden Route. The sheltered bay attracts Humpback Whales, Southern Right Whales and Bryde's Whales, along with hundreds of resident bottlenose and common dolphins. Trips depart from Central Beach and include the Robberg Peninsula, a Cape fur seal colony and dramatic cliff scenery.

Question 22

When can I see Humpback Whales in Plettenberg Bay?

Accepted Answer

Humpback Whales are seen in Plettenberg Bay from June to early January. The clearest sightings are during the northbound migration in June and July and the southbound return between October and December. Humpbacks often breach and tail-slap close to the boats. Bryde's Whales are present year round, feeding on sardines and anchovy.

Question 23

What is a Southern Right Whale?

Accepted Answer

Southern Right Whales are large baleen whales that grow up to 17 metres long and weigh up to 80 tonnes. They are easily recognised by their broad black bodies, V-shaped blow and the white callosities on their heads, which are unique to each whale. Every winter they migrate from Antarctica to the South African coast to calve.

Question 24

Why are they called Right Whales?

Accepted Answer

Southern Right Whales were named by 19th-century whalers, who called them the right whales to hunt. They were slow, swam close to shore, contained large amounts of valuable oil and baleen, and floated when killed, making recovery easy. Hunting almost drove them to extinction, but protection since 1935 has allowed a slow but steady recovery.

Question 25

When is the Southern Right Whale season in South Africa?

Accepted Answer

Southern Right Whale season in South Africa runs from June through to December, with peak activity typically during September and October. During this time, mothers nurse newborn calves in sheltered bays like Walker Bay, False Bay and St Sebastian Bay. Pairs of courting whales can often be seen rolling at the surface together.

Question 26

How close do Southern Right Whales come to shore?

Accepted Answer

Southern Right Whales regularly come within 10 to 50 metres of the shore in places like Hermanus, De Kelders and Witsand. They prefer shallow, sheltered water for calving and resting, which is why the Western Cape's bays are so famous. From the Hermanus Cliff Path you can sometimes hear their blows clearly from the rocks.

Question 27

How do you identify a Southern Right Whale?

Accepted Answer

A Southern Right Whale has no dorsal fin, a strongly arched mouth and rough white patches of skin called callosities on its head, jaw and around the blowholes. The callosities are colonised by tiny crustaceans called whale lice, which make them appear white or yellow. Each whale's callosity pattern is unique, like a fingerprint.

Question 28

How many Southern Right Whales visit South Africa each year?

Accepted Answer

Around 6,000 to 7,000 Southern Right Whales make up the South African breeding population. Several hundred individual whales are counted each year along the Cape coast, with the highest concentrations between Cape Agulhas, Walker Bay and False Bay. Numbers can vary year to year depending on Antarctic food availability and breeding cycles.

Question 29

When can I see Humpback Whales in South Africa?

Accepted Answer

Humpback Whales are seen along South Africa's coast from May to early January. The northbound migration toward warm Mozambican breeding grounds peaks between May and August. The southbound return, when mothers travel with new calves back to Antarctic feeding grounds, runs from October through to early January and often produces the most active surface behaviour.

Question 30

What is the difference between Humpback and Southern Right Whales?

Accepted Answer

Humpback Whales have a small dorsal fin, very long white pectoral flippers and an iconic tail fluke shown when diving. Southern Right Whales have no dorsal fin, broad short flippers and white callosities on the head. Humpbacks are migratory and acrobatic; Southern Rights are quieter, larger-bodied and tend to stay close to shore.

Question 31

Do Humpback Whales breach?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Humpback Whales are famous for breaching, where they launch most of their body out of the water and crash down in a huge splash. They also slap their long pectoral fins and tails on the surface. Scientists believe these behaviours are used for communication, parasite removal, courtship displays and possibly play, especially among young whales.

Question 32

What is Walker Bay?

Accepted Answer

Walker Bay is the sheltered bay stretching between Hermanus and De Kelders on South Africa's southern Cape coast. It is one of the most important Southern Right Whale calving grounds in the world. The deep, calm water and rocky shoreline make it ideal for both mothers with calves and for boat-based and land-based whale watching.

Question 33

What marine life lives in Walker Bay?

Accepted Answer

Walker Bay is home to Southern Right Whales, Humpback Whales, Bryde's Whales, bottlenose and common dolphins, Cape fur seals, African penguins and a wide variety of seabirds. The bay also has kelp forests, reef fish and the occasional great white shark. Its biodiversity is protected by the Walker Bay Whale Sanctuary, declared in 2000.

Question 34

Is Walker Bay protected?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Walker Bay is a declared whale sanctuary, with strict rules limiting boat approach distances and the number of licensed operators. Only permit-holding boats may approach whales within 300 metres, and they may never block a whale's path. These rules ensure mothers and calves can rest, nurse and socialise without disturbance throughout the season.

Question 35

What are whale watching flights?

Accepted Answer

Whale watching flights are scenic helicopter or fixed-wing trips that take off from Hermanus or Stanford airfield and fly low over Walker Bay. From the air you can spot pods of whales, dolphins and seals, see the full sweep of the coastline and often photograph behaviours that are hidden from the boats, like full-body breaches or surface-active groups.

Question 36

How long do whale watching flights last?

Accepted Answer

Most scenic whale watching flights last 20 to 40 minutes in the air, depending on the package and aircraft. A standard helicopter flight over Walker Bay is around 20 minutes, while longer routes extend along the Cliff Path, Klein River lagoon and De Kelders. Flights operate from June through to early December, weather permitting.

Question 37

Should I take a boat or a flight for whale watching?

Accepted Answer

Both are excellent. A boat trip puts you at eye level with the whales and is more intimate, while a flight gives you a sweeping aerial perspective and the chance to spot dozens of whales in one view. Many visitors do both: a boat trip one morning and a scenic flight on another day for a complete experience.

Question 38

Where is the best place for whale watching in South Africa?

Accepted Answer

Hermanus is regarded as South Africa's best whale watching destination thanks to its sheltered Walker Bay, close-to-shore sightings and dedicated Whale Sanctuary. Gansbaai, Plettenberg Bay, Mossel Bay, Knysna and False Bay near Cape Town are also outstanding. Each destination offers a slightly different mix of species, scenery and on-water experiences.

Question 39

When is whale season in South Africa?

Accepted Answer

Whale season in South Africa runs from June through to December, with peak Southern Right Whale activity typically during September and October. Southern Right Whales arrive first, followed by Humpback Whales on their long migration toward and from Mozambique. Bryde's Whales are present in many bays year round, especially in Mossel Bay and Plettenberg Bay.

Question 40

What whales can you see in South Africa?

Accepted Answer

The most commonly seen whales in South Africa are Southern Right Whales, Humpback Whales and Bryde's Whales. Orcas, sperm whales, minke whales and pilot whales are also recorded offshore, though sightings are rarer. Dolphins, including bottlenose, common and Heaviside's dolphins, are seen on most trips alongside Cape fur seals and seabirds.

Question 41

How many whales visit South Africa each year?

Accepted Answer

Several thousand whales visit the South African coast each year. The Southern Right Whale population that breeds here is around 6,000 to 7,000 individuals. Humpback Whale numbers passing the coast on migration are estimated in the tens of thousands. Numbers continue to recover steadily after the global whaling ban came into effect in 1986.

Question 42

Do I need to book my whale watching trip in advance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, advance booking is strongly recommended, especially during peak Southern Right Whale activity in September and October and over school holidays. Trips can sell out days ahead. You can book online, by WhatsApp or by phone. A deposit secures your seat and we will confirm departure time the day before.

Question 43

What should I wear on a whale watching trip?

Accepted Answer

Wear warm, windproof layers even in summer, as it is much cooler at sea than on shore. Bring a waterproof jacket, sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat with a strap and closed shoes with good grip. In winter, add a beanie and gloves. Avoid loose scarves or hats that can blow off in the wind.

Question 44

Will I get seasick on a whale watching trip?

Accepted Answer

Most guests are comfortable, as Walker Bay is usually calm and trips stay relatively close to shore. If you are prone to motion sickness, take a tablet 30 to 60 minutes before departure, eat a light meal, avoid alcohol the night before and focus on the horizon. Tell the skipper if you start to feel unwell.

Question 45

What happens if a whale watching trip is cancelled because of weather?

Accepted Answer

Safety always comes first. If conditions are unsafe, the skipper will postpone or cancel the trip and we will offer the next available slot or a full refund. You can also switch to our Hermanus Cliff Path walking tour for the day. Travel insurance is recommended for guests on tight itineraries.

Question 46

Are whale watching trips suitable for children?

Accepted Answer

Yes, whale watching trips are family friendly and suitable for all ages. Children under three travel free, and life jackets are provided in all sizes. The boats are stable catamarans with seating and shelter. Children love seeing whales, dolphins and seals up close and our guides explain what is happening in a fun, age-appropriate way.

Question 47

Is whale watching wheelchair accessible?

Accepted Answer

Boarding arrangements may vary depending on the vessel, tide, weather and sea conditions. Guests with mobility concerns are encouraged to discuss their requirements when making an enquiry so we can advise on the most suitable vessel and arrangements. The Hermanus Cliff Path also has several accessible viewing decks for land-based whale watching.

Question 48

Why do whales breach?

Accepted Answer

Whales breach for several possible reasons, including communication over long distances, dislodging parasites, courtship displays, play and even possibly to scan the surface. Humpbacks are the most acrobatic, but Southern Right Whales also breach, sometimes more than 50 times in a row. A full breach is one of the most spectacular sights in nature.

Question 49

What is sailing behaviour in Southern Right Whales?

Accepted Answer

Sailing is a behaviour unique to Southern Right Whales, where a whale lifts its broad tail flukes vertically out of the water and lets the wind catch them like a sail. The whale may stay in this position for several minutes, drifting along. Scientists believe it could be a form of play or thermoregulation in calm conditions.

Question 50

How long do whales stay in South African waters?

Accepted Answer

Southern Right Whales spend roughly three to four months in South African waters, from June to December, before returning to Antarctic feeding grounds. Humpback Whales pass through more quickly on migration but can be seen for over six months in total, between the northbound and southbound legs. Bryde's Whales are present year round.

Question 51

Do whales sleep?

Accepted Answer

Yes, whales sleep, but only one half of the brain rests at a time so they can keep breathing and watch for danger. They often rest just below the surface, breathing slowly every few minutes. Mothers with newborn calves rest in sheltered bays like Walker Bay, which is one reason Hermanus is so important to the species.

Question 52

How big is a newborn Southern Right Whale calf?

Accepted Answer

Newborn Southern Right Whale calves are around 4.5 to 6 metres long at birth and weigh roughly 1 tonne. They drink up to 600 litres of rich milk a day from their mothers and can gain as much as 50 kg every 24 hours. Calves stay close to their mothers for about a year before becoming independent.

Question 53

What is the Hermanus Whale Festival?

Accepted Answer

The Hermanus Whale Festival is an annual event held in late September or early October, celebrating the peak of whale season. It features live music, food and craft stalls, environmental education, an arts programme and family entertainment along the Cliff Path. The town can get busy, so book your whale watching trip and accommodation well in advance.

Question 54

Where is Hermanus?

Accepted Answer

Hermanus is a coastal town in the Western Cape of South Africa, about 120 km southeast of Cape Town. It sits on the northern shore of Walker Bay, between the Kogelberg mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. The town is famous for whale watching, wine farms in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and the 12 km Cliff Path along the coast.

Question 55

Which is better for whale watching, Hermanus or Gansbaai?

Accepted Answer

Hermanus is best for Southern Right Whale viewing and land-based whale watching, with a calm sheltered bay and easy walks along the Cliff Path. Gansbaai is best for combined Marine Big 5 trips that include sharks, seals and penguins around Dyer Island. Many visitors do both for a complete picture of the Cape coast.

Whale Watching Questions & Answers

Hermanus

Gansbaai

Cape Town

Mossel Bay

Knysna

Plettenberg Bay

Southern Right Whales

Humpback Whales

Walker Bay

Whale Watching Flights

South Africa

Planning

Behaviour

Hermanus vs Gansbaai

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