Closed 12 December 2019 - 1 June 2020

Hermanus Whale Cruises is your ticket to an ocean adventure of a lifetime. The whale watching company launches from the Hermanus New Harbour and you are invited to hop aboard their spacious boat, Whale Cruiser, to view whales, dolphins, seals and the myriad of marine and bird life that populates Walker Bay. Hermanus Whale Cruises also offers boat-based educational eco-tours that focuses on conserving the ocean, and the creatures that live in-and-around it. As an added bonus, Hermanus Whale Cruises will take you on land-based cultural tours where you will meet local communities, and learn about their history and culture. These historical tours will take you along the Cape Whale Coast from Hawston to L’Agulhas.

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About

About

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Hermanus Whale Cruises was established in 1998.

The company is owned by Sandown Bay Fishing Company (Pty) Ltd which has shareholders in Hawston, an historic fishing village outside Hermanus.

The directors, Tom Gelderblom and Phillipus May, together with their team of registered and highly experienced skippers and tour guides, invite you to join them on a tour not to be missed. 

Whale Watching

Whale Watching

The Whale Cruiser departs from the Hermanus New Harbour in whale season (June to December).

Cost:

  • Adults - R800
  • Students - R700
  • Children (under the age of 14) - R380 
  • Children (under the age of five) - No Charge 

Departure Times (June to December):

  • 09:00
  • 12:00
  • 14:00
  • 16:00
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Meet the gentle giants of Hermanus’ coast, the mighty Southern Right Whales, on a thrilling two-hour whale watching trip. Hermanus Whale Cruises are focused on preserving, observing and creating awareness around these awe-inspiring creatures of the ocean on every cruise, and great care is taken not to disturb them in their natural habitat.

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Other than Southern Right Whales, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Bryde’s and Humpback whales, as well as dolphins, seals and flocks of seabirds.

The Whale Cruiser is wheelchair friendly and has the capacity to seat up to 90 passengers, including crew. This makes it perfect for team building excursions, as well as offering ample space for solo passengers to feel relaxed and comfortable.

Please note:

As a permit holder for Sub-Area 3, Hermanus Whale Cruises is permitted to approach whales up to 50-metres. The whales often turn and approach the boat, coming as close as one meter. In these cases, the permit allows that the boat remain in position alongside the whales for up to 20-minutes, so as not to disturb the animal.

  • Trips are weather dependant
  • Light refreshments are served onboard
  • Smoking and alcohol are prohibited onboard
  • There are ablution facilities onboard

For more information on whale-watching trips contact Hermanus Whale Cruises directly.

Eco - Tours

Eco-Tours

Hermanus Whale Cruises offer interactive and informative boat-based tours that launch from the Hermanus New Harbour (January to May).

Cost:

  • Adults - R450 
  • Children (under the age of 12) - R200

Departure Times:

  • 09:00
  • 12:00
  • 14:00
  • 16:00
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This two-hour sight-seeing adventure will lead to many surprises along the way and you could see dolphins, seals, clawless otters and a variety of seabird life. Socialise and learn with friends and family as you experience Walker Bay’s nature in all of its beauty. 

For more information on eco-tours contact Hermanus Whale Cruises directly.

Cultural Tours

Cultural Tours

Unravel history, experience different cultures and listen to fascinating stories from tour guides and locals in various areas of the Overberg’s coastline. Traditional meals can be arranged with prior arrangement.

Hermanus Whale Cruises invites you to explore:

Hawston

Cost:

  • R280 per person

Departure Times: 

  • 09:00 - 12:00 
  • 14:00 - 17:00

You’ll be visiting:

  • Mountain
  • Harbour
  • Lagoon
  • Public Swimming Pool
  • Blue Flag Beach

Zwelihle - Ubuntu 

Cost: 

  • R250 per person

Departure Times: 

  • 09:30 - 12:30 
  • 13:30 - 14:30

You’ll be visiting:

  • Men’s Hostel
  • Traditional Healers
  • Shebeen
  • Handcrafts Training Centre
  • Siyakhula African Restaurant

Kleinmond

Cost: 

  • R350 per person

Departure Times: 

  • 09:00 - 14:00 
  • 14:00 - 18:00

You’ll be visiting:

  • Harold Porter National Botanical Garden
  • African Penguin Colony
  • Old Waaigat Whaling Station
  • Fishing Harbour
  • Abalone Sanctuary
  • Township
  • Live Fish Bar

Gansbaai

Cost: 

  • R450 per person

Departure Time: 

  • 09:00 - 15:30

You’ll be visiting:

  • Klipgat Cave
  • Stanford Cove
  • Danger Point Lighthouse
  • Strandveld Museum
  • Fishing Harbours
  • Different Communities

Struisbaai And L’Agulhas

Cost: 

  • R550 per person

Departure Time: 

  • 09:00 - 17:00

You’ll be visiting:

  • Southernmost Tip Of Africa
  • Oldest Working Lighthouse In South Africa
  • Lighthouse Museum

Arniston / Waenhuiskrans Fishing Village

Cost: 

  • R550 per person

Departure Time: 

  • 09:00 - 17:00

You’ll be visiting:

  • National Monument In Kassiesbaai
  • Waenhuiskrans Cave
  • Historical Fish Traps
  • Khoisan Shell Middens
  • Arniston Shipwreck

Elim Mission Station

Cost: 

  • R500 per person

Departure Time: 

  • 09:00 - 16:30

You’ll be visiting:

  • Cold-water Stone Mill
  • Heer-se-bos
  • Elim Huisie
  • Arts And Crafts Centre
  • Slave and German Missionary Cemetery
  • Slave Monument

Suurbraak Mission Station

Cost: 

  • R650 per person

Departure Time: 

  • 08:30 - 18:00

You’ll be visiting:

  • Anglican Church
  • Swellendam
  • Drostdy Museum
  • Dutch Reformed Church
  • Tradouw Pass

Genadendal Mission Station

Cost: 

  • R550 per person

Departure Time: 

  • 09:00 - 17:30

You’ll be visiting:

  • Church Square National Monuments
  • National Culture Treasure Museum
  • Boesmanskloof
  • Greyton
  • Voostekraal
  • Beria

For more information on cultural tours contact Hermanus Whale Cruises directly.

Reviews

Reviews

“What a fantastic experience. We received excellent customer service from all of the staff, from Adel in bookings to Eric the guide and the boat captain. They made sure you were treated well. Don’t miss this trip if you go to Hermanus.” Cara, Facebook
“Went on this boat cruise yesterday, and what an experience. Thank you to the staff on board for your wonderful service and making everything much more fun and exciting. It was amazing.” Feleena, Facebook
“Whale galore! I loved the boat tour. The guides were amazing, attentive and good at spotting whales. We saw no less than six whales.” Ayanda, Google Reviews

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