Whale watching in the Western Cape has been a beloved activity for generations of locals and tourists. With whale season on our doorstep, we’re rounding up the best places and companies to consider when we want to get close to these fascinating, water-dwelling mammals. From the tiny town of Fish Hoek to Walkers Bay, Hermanus and Gansbaai, we’ve sourced the best places to go whale-watching in the Western Cape, along with top companies and guides.
Simons Town Boat Company
Simons Town Boat Company is a top choice for whale watching in Cape Town. Their passion, expertise gained from years of experience, and the ethical approach is well known.
The skippers are highly knowledgeable about the wildlife habituating the waters and the local area in general. The Simon’s Town Boat Company also boasts a safe, wheelchair-friendly boarding method and a 100% incident-free record.
Cost: Various. Book here
When: Daily 9am – 5pm
Where: Wharf St, Simon’s Town
Read more about exciting marine wildlife tours with Simon’s Town Boat Company
Dyer Island Cruises: Marine Dynamics Whale Cruises
An adventure awaits whale enthusiasts in Gansbaai, just a three hour’s drive from Cape Town – an extraordinary Marine Big Five Sea Safari. The South African Marine Big Five are the great white shark, the southern right whale, the bottlenose dolphin, the Cape fur seal, and the African penguin.
By providing training and job opportunities for people from surrounding rural communities, Dyer Island Cruises also strive to help previously disadvantaged people. This encourages their staff to further their training or studies to improve their horizons. With ‘Discover, Protect and Educate’ as a motto, we highly recommend them.
Cost: Various. Book here
When: Daily, various hours
Where: 5 Geelbek St, Van Dyks Bay, Gansbaai
Southern Right Charters
Since 1999, Southern Right Charters has been one of the leading boat-based whale and dolphin-watching tour companies. Based in the Cape Whale Coast Capital, Hermanus, they operate within the waters of Walker Bay. This is worth mentioning because Walker Bay holds the title of ‘one of the best whale-watching areas in the world’.
This company operates under the ethos ‘Observing NOT Disturbing’; marine life conservation is its prime principle. Southern Right Charter’s permits grant them the right to approach whales up to 50 metres. Whales are often inquisitive and come straight up to the boats, providing an up-close informative and educational experience.
Cost: Adults – R1320; Children (under 12) – R660; Children (under 3) – FREE; Students and Seniors (over 60)- R1220
When: Mon – Fri | 8am – 6pm
Where: The Whale Shack, Whale Road, New Harbour, Hermanus
Oceans Africa
What started as Graeme Grant’s passion project in 2002 currently represents a large team of diverse experts. Ocean Africa has partners in all the main coastal centres of South Africa, from diving instructors and guides to boat charters and whale-watching operators.
Graeme Grant has worked in Mozambique, Egypt, Zanzibar, and the UAE as a skipper in the whale-watching and diving industries. Oceans Africa also offers multi-day packages that include other exciting activities.
Cost: Various. Find more info and prices here
When: Mon – Fri: 9am – 6pm
Where: 14 Saunders Cl, Fish Hoek, Cape Town
Hermanus Whale Watchers
Offering an exciting and up-close experience, Hermanus Whale Watchers grants personal encounters with the Southern Right Whales in their natural environment. On a typical trip, guests can also expect to see Cape Fur Seals, pods of various dolphins, or the endangered African Penguins.
With a bit of luck and depending on the season, the waters of Walker Bay could also surprise guests with sights of Humpback Whales or Bryde’s Whales. The SATOUR qualified guides explain the manners of the sea and the marine wildlife in it.
Cost: Adults – R1350 per person; Students/Seniors – R1250 per person (student card required); Children u/12 yrs – R700 per person; Children u /3 yrs – FREE; private charters quoted on request.
When: Daily | 9am, 11am, 2pm and 4pm (1 June – 30 November). Note: check in 30 mins before departure time
Where: Westcliff Rd, New Harbour, Hermanus
Captain Jacks
Being the only licensed Whale and Dolphin watching operator in Hout Bay, Captain Jacks will be the first to get you to the scene. Once there has been a sighting of whales or dolphins, Captain Jacks is prepared for a quick trip out with their ready-to-go boat.
Hout Bay is generally considered one of the most beautiful bays in the Western Cape. Uniquely positioned, this bay offers the chance to see many marine creatures in their natural habitat. The list of sightings includes Southern Right Whales, Humpback Whales and Bryde Whales, Long Beaked Common Dolphins and Heavyside Dolphins, Sun Fish, and, more commonly, Cape Fur Seals.
Cost: Various. See here for more on the six different types of adventures they have to offer.
When: Mon – Fri: 8am – 5pm
Where: Hout Bay Harbour, Hout Bay, Cape Town
Ivanhoe Sea Safaris
Although based in Gansbaai, this leading whale-watching company also heads out to Hermanus and Walker Bay. They focus on area six, the best location for whale watching in Walker Bay waters. The area has views of Hermanus and Gansbaai in the North and South.
The cruise kicks off in Gansbaai and travels along the Cliffs of De Kelders towards Plaat Beach. A team of highly qualified and registered guides takes care of guests.
Cost: R 500 – R 1,750 (2-hour trip) | Whale trip Private Charter – R 36,500
When: Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm
Where: 3 Hawe Weg, Gansbaai Harbour, Gansbaai
Hermanus Whale Cruises by Sandown Bay Fishing Company
Hermanus Whale Cruises was one of the first companies to offer these services in the Western Cape, and thanks to the united experience and efforts of the skippers and guides, Hermanus Whale Cruises can easily provide an informative tour of all the surroundings, marine life, and local history.
In the spirit of true Capetonians, these cruises support the previously disadvantaged community of Hawston, a historic fishing village 12 kilometres outside of Hermanus.
Cost: Adults – R 1300.00 pp; Students – R 1200.00pp; Children between 4 to 12 – R 650.00 pp; Children 3 and under – Free. Book via email: [email protected] or call 082 369 8931
Where: 148 Westcliff Rd, New Harbour, Hermanus
When: All week: 8am – 5pm
Green Cape Tours Private Whale-Watching Tour
This private 10-hour tour includes transport from Cape Town to Hermanus (and back afterwards) to see the Southern Right Whales at Walker Bay (from the shore). The whales breed there during the spring season every year. After the viewing, guests stroll through the charming town of Hermanus, take a guided coastal walk to Grotto Beach, visit a luxurious wine farm, and then are transported back to Cape Town.
Cost: Various. Book here
When: All Hours
Where: 4 Disa Ave, Fish Hoek, Cape Town
Website: greencapetours.com | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 083 500 5194
Facebook: @greencapetours | Instagram: @greencapetours
Ocean Wonder
The Ocean Wonder tours are more about seeing a wide variety of marine animals and plants rather than whales, but they are definitely worth mentioning.
This single-owner-run company provides intimate trips that don’t follow any set route. The highly experienced guide moves based on his ongoing observation of this environment, its creatures, and the ever-changing water and weather conditions. These trips are all about finding and, where possible, interacting with some of the amazing creatures that frequent the rich waters around Cape Town.
Choose from a 2-hour trip on a group boat, or book a whole boat (contact Ocean Wonder for price and arrangement).
Cost: 2-hour trip: R1300 pp. Book a boat: various. Contact Ocean Wonder to book and for details
When: Daily 8am – 7pm. Trips are
Where: Oceana Power Boat Club, Haul Rd, Greenpoint, Cape Town
