Whale watching in Hermanus
Hermanus
2 tours
Hermanus & the Overberg
Whale coast, fynbos and Africa's southern tip.
Southern right whales from the clifftops, wild fynbos reserves and the windswept coast to Cape Agulhas.
Explore the tours
Hermanus
Ways to build a Hermanus trip
Ninety minutes east of Cape Town along one of the country's most dramatic coastal roads, Hermanus is famous for land-based whale watching. Between June and November, southern right whales come into Walker Bay to calve, often within metres of the cliff path.
Beyond town, the Overberg rolls out in wheat fields, fynbos reserves and empty beaches down to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa, where the Atlantic and Indian oceans officially meet.
Whale watching
Walk the 12 km Cliff Path or join a licensed boat for close (but regulated) encounters.
Hemel-en-Aarde wines
Cool-climate Pinot and Chardonnay a few minutes from town.
Gansbaai
Shark cage diving and marine 'Big Five' boat trips.
Coastal drive
Clarence Drive (R44) via Betty's Bay penguins. One of the world's great coastal roads.
When to go
Best time to visit Hermanus.
Whale season is June to November, peaking September–October. Summer brings beach weather, fynbos in flower and fewer crowds than Cape Town.
- JanGood
- FebGood
- MarGood
- AprGood
- MayGood
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGood
Seasons are reversed from the northern hemisphere.
- Cape Town’s winter rains fall June to August
- Kruger’s dry season (May to September) is peak game viewing
- Summer rains fall November to March in the north and east
- Whale season on the Cape coast runs June to November
Highlights
- Land-based whale watching from the Cliff Path
- Boat-based whale encounters with licensed operators
- Hemel-en-Aarde valley wineries (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay)
- Cape Agulhas, Africa's southernmost point
- Fynbos reserves and coastal hikes
Practical tips
- Combine Hermanus with the start of a Garden Route road trip.
- Whale season overlaps Cape Town's winter. Pack layers.
Experiences
Things to do in Hermanus.
Garden Route road trip
Garden Route · Hermanus · Addo
3 tours
Shark cage diving
Hermanus · Cape Town
5 tours
Are whales guaranteed?
Never guaranteed, but between July and October sightings from shore are extremely likely, often daily.
Tailor-made trips
Tours including Hermanus.
Duration
Budget
2 of 2 tours
8 days · Cape Town & Winelands
Cape Town & Winelands Escape
Daily breakfast · 5 guided activities · All transfers
- Private Table Mountain and Cape Point touring
- Stellenbosch and Franschhoek estate tastings
- Day trip to Hermanus (whales Jun–Nov)
- Boutique stays in the city and the vines
From
$3,450
per person, complete package
From $6,900 for two · international flights excluded
11 days · Cape Town & Winelands · Garden Route · Eastern Cape
Garden Route Self-Drive
Breakfast daily, 4 dinners · 4 activities · Rental car & route book
- Clifftop whale watching in Hermanus
- Knysna lagoon and Plettenberg Bay beaches
- Tsitsikamma forest and Storms River Mouth
- Malaria-free safari finale in Addo
From
$2,890
per person, complete package
From $5,780 for two · international flights excluded
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