Cruises & Boat Tours in Hermanus: 15 Ranked for a Real Itinerary

1.Boat Based Whale Watching Experience

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

Board at Hermanus New Harbour for a 90-minute whale-watching trip with an English-speaking guide, safety briefing, and ocean wildlife viewing. The crew may spot southern right whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds. You can use the upper deck in good conditions, and the boat stops with engines off near whales.

“A great trip out seeing the whales. 2 hours was the perfect amount of time, and we managed to catch many breaching whales at sunset too. Would highly recommend!”

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2.Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

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

From Hermanus New Harbour, you’ll join Southern Right Charters for a two-hour catamaran cruise with an English-speaking whale specialist. Expect seasonal southern right and humpback whales, year-round Bryde’s whales and dolphins, light refreshments, and wide viewing areas. Guides including Ken, Jacques, and David have led past trips, with optional drone footage available to buy.

“Very well organised. They offered us coffee, tea, and cupcakes before the tour. Unfortunately, we didn’t see a whale, but since it was the last day of the season, that was understandable. Still, we had an amazing time with around 300 dolphins and even saw some seals. I would definitely do it again, just in the middle of the season to see the whales.”

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3.Marine Big 5 Boat tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 593 reviews · 2.5 - 10 hours · from $155

Cruise from Kleinbaai into the Dyer Island ecosystem with an English-speaking marine biologist. Look for whales, sharks, dolphins, Cape fur seals, and penguins, then warm up with soup and bread. Cape Town transfers can include the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary. Sea conditions decide both timing and sightings.

“It was good. Saw Southern right whales, sharks that were being baited by shark cage boat company. Seals were great, went to island with penguins. Couldn’t really see them because boat could not get close enough. That was disappointing.”

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4.Hermanus Whale Watching Boat Trip

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

Travel from Cape Town to Gansbaai, then cruise toward Hermanus aboard a speedboat limited to 25 people. Guides such as Alfonzo, Jean, and Muammer explain whale behavior as you look for Southern Right Whales, calves, dolphins, seals, penguins, and humpbacks. Expect a long road journey, about two hours at sea, cold weather, and wildlife sightings that depend on nature.

“the office contacted me to move our tour to 1 day earlier due to weather forecast not looking good for the day we booked. end up the day we move, weather is perfectly great to go out to the sea. 3 skippers on the boat to guide us of around 20 tourist. skippers are well prepared and knowledgable with the whales. we saw total of 4 whales and 2 mating right next to our boat. all are southern right whales. the return ride from cape town hotel to the port was smooth and scenery was excellent. driver Mr Cyril is also very friendly. highly recommended to tick off this bucket…”

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5.Gansbaai Eco-Friendly Shark Cage Diving Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 326 reviews · 6 - 10 hours · from $237

Travel from Cape Town to Gansbaai for a full-day shark cage experience with Marine Dynamics. You’ll ride the Slashfin boat, learn from a marine biologist, watch bronze whaler sharks from the cage or deck, and visit the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary. Great white sightings are not guaranteed.

“Absolutley incredible! Highlight of SA so far. Saw about 20 bronzer sharks, personally i dont think you can be disappointed about not seeing a great white when these are so amazing. Some were massive! Its not as scary as you think i felt super safe and what a view of these amazing animals. The whole tour was set up so well. Amy and Suzie were soo lovely and informative! And our videographer , so happy with the video. We saw a big pod of dolphins too! You must book! X”

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6.Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus

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

Join a whale specialist at Hermanus New Harbour for a two-hour catamaran trip in search of southern right, humpback, and Bryde’s whales. The guide explains whale behavior as you watch, while the crew provides light refreshments and helps passengers find the best viewing spots. Dolphins, seals, and seabirds may also appear.

“Informative pre meeting, very good guide informed us during the whole tour. Good service. Even the captain took the time to chat”

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7.Cruise with Shark Cage Dive and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 184 reviews · 1 day · from $168

From Hermanus, travel to Kleinbaai Harbour for a shark cage encounter at Shark Alley. You’ll get breakfast, wetsuits, masks, boat drinks, lunch, and guidance in English or Afrikaans. Marine biologists explain shark behavior while a four or five-person cage rotates through the group. Great whites are not guaranteed, but bronze whalers often provide close views.

“Overall good - very nice service. But not many shark whne we was on the sea”

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8.Whale Watching Trip by Boat

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

From Gansbaai Harbour, you’ll cruise along De Kelders’ cliffs with an English-speaking guide, watching for southern right whales, dolphins, seals, sharks, and other marine life. The two-hour boat stays close to the action without feeling crowded, and the trip is wheelchair accessible. Bring warm clothing and sun protection.

“Great visual access in a boat where you are able to see the whales clearly and especially if you are lucky enough that they come close to the boat. Guides have good knowledge”

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9.Shark Dive & Whale Watching Combo Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 22 reviews · 6 - 12 hours · from $292

Ivanhoe Sea Safaris combines a shark cage experience near Dyer Island with a southern right whale trip from Gansbaai. You can complete both on one long day or split them over two days. Breakfast and wetsuit rental are included, Cape Town pickup is optional, and the English-language experience suits visitors who want close marine wildlife encounters without needing scuba training.

“Shark Diving was absolutely great, the driver arrived on time and the drive to Gansbaai was smooth. They gave us breakfast and briefing before heading to the boat. We went in the cage for two dives of about 15 minutes each. We saw so many bronze whaler sharks. When we came back lunch was waiting for us and then we got back to Cape town. We couldn’t do the whale watching due to the strong wind in the afternoon, it got canceled. We got a refund. Totally worth it”

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10.Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · from $287Top rated

Join Paul Polano Tours for a six-hour whale-watching trip from Hermanus New Harbour. After a shore briefing, you board a purpose-built catamaran with a whale specialist, support crew, refreshments, and a videographer. Look for southern right, humpback, and Bryde’s whales, plus dolphins and seals, depending on the season.

“We recently went on a whale-watching tour, and while we couldn’t see any whales, the experience was still memorable. Our guide, Paul, was friendly and knowledgeable, making the trip enjoyable despite the circumstances. He even went the Read more”

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11.Big 5 Sea Safari Boat Ride of Gansbaai or Walker Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 17 reviews · 2 hours · from $109

You’ll leave Gansbaai Harbour with a qualified marine biologist and an experienced skipper, cruising past De Kelders and De Platt Beach before searching Walker Bay for dolphins, Bryde’s whales, seals, penguins, and marine birds. The route may shift to Walker Bay if conditions near Danger Point are poor.

“Super gaaf, heel veel dolfijnen spelend rondom de boot, ook zeeleeuwen en walvissen gezien. En heel enthousiaste gidsen aan boord en nemen echt de tijd om walvissen te spotten. Die hebben we ook nu kunnen zien.”

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12.Shark Cage Diving and Shark Viewing Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 14 reviews · 3 hours · from $161

From Cape Shark Adventures in Kleinbaai, you’ll head toward Dyer Island with an experienced crew, a safety briefing, breakfast, and time to watch sharks from the boat or enter the cage. You may also see seals, dolphins, whales, or African penguins. Children under 12 can watch from the deck.

“De activiteit was heel goed verzorgd. Leuke crew leden.”

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13.Hermanus Whale Watching Shared Boat & Penguins

★★★★★★★★★★3.3 · 6 reviews · 1 day · from $246

Travel from Cape Town with a private English-speaking guide and air-conditioned vehicle to Hermanus for a 2 to 3-hour shared whale-watching boat trip. Enjoy lunch and town time, then see African penguins and cormorants at Stony Point in Betty’s Bay. Guides Gabriel and Joel are praised for flexible, helpful touring.

“Aucun avis l'activité a été annulée et je suis toujours en attente du remboursement...”

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14.Hermanus Whale Watching Tour with Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $219

Travel from Cape Town to Hermanus with a private guide and driver, then spend 2 to 3 hours at sea looking for Southern Right and Humpback whales. Guides including Darlington, Nwabisa, Patricia, and Rasheed have provided warm, flexible service. Add penguins, wine estates, ziplining, or quad biking if time and budget allow.

“All in all, a successful day. We were picked up on time by our friendly driver, the whale watching tour was informative and we got really close to the animals, plus we saw tons of dolphins. Then a nice stay in Hermanus, coastal walk recommended! On the way back, we made a quick stop at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden - thanks to Rasheed!”

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15.Private Tour: Hermanus- Boat Based Whale Watching Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 9 hours · from $370

Travel by private vehicle from Cape Town to Hermanus with an English-speaking guide, stopping at Stony Point penguin colony and scenic Clarence Drive. In Hermanus, join a shared boat to seek Southern Right Whales, humpbacks, and dolphins. Lunch is at your own cost, and a complimentary glass of bubbly awaits on the return journey.

“Leonard was a fantastic guide, taught us so much about the areas we drove through, and provided so much content about Capetown and South Africa. Enjoyed this tour immensely!!!! Highly recommend for any tour in Capetown, African Sun tours is the way to go!!”

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