Dolphin & Whale Watching in South Africa: 12 of Them, Priced and Timed

1.Hermanus: Boat Based Whale Watching Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,180 reviews · 1h 30m · from $93Our pick

From Hermanus New Harbour, you’ll take a 90-minute to two-hour boat trip into Walker Bay with an English-speaking guide. Look for southern right whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds while the crew explains local marine life. The boat may stop near whales with engines off, giving you time to watch without disturbing them.

“We had an amazing whale watching experience! 🐋 Before departure there was a clear briefing about which whales we might see, so we felt prepared and excited. The group was limited to only 40 people, and there were different types of boats to choose from, which made everything feel well organized. During the trip, huge whales appeared right next to us and even around us — truly breathtaking! We were lucky to spot a mother and baby whale breaching in the distance. The guide told us it’s a rare sight, which made it even more special. Overall, we are super happy and grateful for such a memorable adventure.”

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2.Hermanus: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 807 reviews · 2 hours · from $98

Join Southern Right Charters in Hermanus for a two-hour catamaran cruise with whale specialists such as Ken, Jacques, or David. Look for southern right, humpback, and Bryde’s whales, plus dolphins and seals. Tea, coffee, light snacks, and onboard commentary are included, while drone footage costs extra.

“Our guide David was amazing, very experienced and He spottet every movement around us. We where able to see female southern right whales with their calfes, seals and dolphins. Some of the whales even breached out of the water. Overall an amazing experience!”

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3.Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 687 reviews · from $185Top rated

Meet at 8am at Nelson Mandela Bay Yacht Club for a four-hour cruise with Raggy Charters. A small group of up to 20 boards a twin-engine catamaran to look for humpback and southern right whales, dolphins, seals, seabirds, and African penguins at St. Croix Island. Crew members, including Jake, explain local wildlife and conservation.

“We were in a small group on the boat and were lucky enough to see a pod of 200 dolphins, penguins hunting for fish and some seals sunbathing. The team really care about the wildlife and spent time explaining to us the different animal behaviRead more”

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4.Hermanus Whale Watching Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 378 reviews · 7 hours · from $221

You’ll leave Cape Town early, drive to Gansbaai, and cruise toward Hermanus with an English-speaking guide. The boat carries up to 40 people but limits groups to 25. Expect about two hours on the water, close views of southern right whales in season, and possible dolphins, seals, penguins, and humpbacks. Snacks and drinks are advertised, but bring lunch.

“Everything was perfect! Pick up on time, the bus is in great condition, the guide was super friendly and open. Well organized, highly recommended”

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5.Plettenberg Bay: Whale Watching Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 362 reviews · 2 hours · from $49Best value

Join Ocean Safaris Garden Route for a two-hour whale-watching cruise from Plettenberg Bay. A 400-horsepower cat-style boat launches straight from the beach, with guides such as Andy, PK, and Ashwin helping you spot whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds. Morning departures are the safer bet in changeable weather.

“Loved the entire experience. We got what we paid for and I would definitely recommend doing the whale watching tour”

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6.Whale Watching from Gansbaai

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 327 reviews · from $112

Take a roughly two-hour boat trip from Gansbaai along the De Keldar cliffs, searching for Southern right whales, dolphins, penguins, sharks, and other whales. A professional guide handles the commentary and the boat carries no more than 25 people. Guides such as Jan, Johan, and Jean, pronounced Sean, have been praised for their warm, informative approach.

“Friendly welcome from 'Ivanhoes' receptionist, down at Gansbaai Harbour. Faultless experience once on board with crew.”

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7.Knysna: Close Encounter Whale Watching Tour by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 207 reviews · 2 hours · from $113

Join Ocean Odyssey from Thesen Harbour Town for a two-hour boat trip through the Knysna Estuary, Heads, and Indian Ocean. A shore-based whale spotter guides the skipper toward sightings of humpback and southern right whales. Expect fast, sometimes choppy water, expert wildlife guidance, and a real chance to see dolphins, seals, and seabirds.

“Excellent, saw bottlenose Dolphins and a Bryde whale followed the boat for around 25 minutes so we got to seyit surface numerous times just metres away. My wife got seasick towards the end and a very attentive member of tge crew made sure she was ok until we disembarked. Highly recommend.”

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8.Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 205 reviews · from $91

Set out from Hermanus New Harbour aboard a purpose-built catamaran with a whale specialist, support crew, and videographer. The two-hour trip looks for southern right, humpback, and Bryde’s whales, plus dolphins and seals. Light refreshments are included, and children under 12 receive life jackets.

“Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Excellent tour with lots of whales and seals to see. Would recommend this tour to anyone staying in Hermanus.”

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9.Full Day Guided Hermanus and Whale Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 155 reviews · from $51

Spend about 10 hours traveling from Cape Town to Hermanus with an English-speaking guide, coastal viewpoints, free time in town, shore-based whale watching, an optional whale cruise, Hemel-en-Aarde wine tasting, and a stop at Peregrine Farm Stall. Guides such as Brahm and Louis are praised for making the drive informative and enjoyable.

“I had a wonderful time seeing Hermanus! It was rainy and windy so we did not get to go out on the boats to go whale watching, but it was an absolutely beautiful area nonetheless. The guide was very informative and friendly, and made sure he answered any questions we had along the way.”

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10.Gansbaai: Whale Watching Trip by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 127 reviews · 2 hours · from $146

From Gansbaai Harbour, an English-speaking guide takes you along the De Kelders cliffs and into a whale-rich nature reserve. Expect a two-hour boat ride with close views of southern right whales, dolphins, Cape fur seals, and possibly sharks, orcas, penguins, or other whale species. The boat is wheelchair accessible and not designed to feel crowded.

“Once in a lifetime experience 😍 Had a great guide, perfect communication before the tour and was so blessed to see the incredible whales! Thanks for this opportunity 😍”

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11.Full-Day Hermanus Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 119 reviews · 1 day · from $120

Travel from Cape Town to Hermanus with a registered guide in a small group of up to eight. From June to November, look for Southern Right Whales from shore, then add a boat trip for closer views. The route includes Harold Porter Botanical Gardens, Elgin, Sir Lowry’s Pass, and seaside towns along the coast.

“Notre guide était serviable, aimable est très sympa. Mais il y a eu un gros manque d’organisation : certaines personnes du groupe voulaient faire l’excursion en bateau, mais leur place n’était pas réservée donc nous avons dû écourter la visite du jardin botanique pour arriver plus tôt à Hermanus. Aussi, la suite de l’itinéraire ne correspondait pas aux instructions qu’avaient reçues le guide donc il ne s’est pas arrêté en haut du col par exemple. C’est dommage !”

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12.Whale Watching Tour in Hermanus and Gansbaai

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 110 reviews · 2 hours · from $249

Join Ivanhoe Sea Safaris for a full-day Cape Town to Gansbaai outing with a local guide such as Neil, Bruce, or Russell. Ride the Overberg coast, stop for scenery and farm produce, then spend 2 hours at sea watching southern right whales, dolphins, seals, and other marine life. Lunch in Hermanus is extra.

“Very nice tour. The pickup was very well organized, and along the way we stopped at a nice farm shop for refreshments. We didn’t stop to check the penguins as it was hinted on the description but had a wonderful time. But the tour itself - incredible experience! We were welcomed by more than 10 southern rights, and also a funny seal came around. Very relatable and competent guide… I can only imagine how it is in April/may during mating season! Beautiful experience.”

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