The 15 Best Whale Watching Tours in South Africa

Hermanus: Boat Based Whale Watching Experience - The First Run Across Walker Bay

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

Review of Hermanus whale watching by boat, with practical tips on wildlife, timing, sea conditions, value, and what to expect for $93.

“Loved the whale watching trip! We saw a mother and a calf. Amazing to see those magnificent animals so close by. The crew respects the animals. They keep their distance, and don't bother them. But you have plenty of time to watch the whales. A must-do when in South Africa.”

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Hermanus: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

2.Hermanus: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

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

Review of Hermanus whale watching with Southern Right Charters, covering sightings, boat comfort, guides, value, timing, and practical tips.

“We enjoyed the trip, we were fortunate to see some southern right whales and seals. The guide was friendly, entusiastic, informative. The staff was very helpful when I got seasick. We recommend this tour!”

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Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

3.Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

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

Cruise Algoa Bay from Port Elizabeth for whales, dolphins, penguins, and conservation insight aboard a small, sustainable catamaran.

“We had a wonderful experience! The team was super helpful, engaged and living for their mission. We were so lucky to see jot only dolphins, seals, two whales but also a hammerhead shark and a bunch of penguins swimming to feed. Would recommend everytime!”

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From Cape Town: Hermanus Whale Watching Boat Trip

4.From Cape Town: Hermanus Whale Watching Boat Trip

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

Review of Cape Town’s Hermanus whale watching trip, with Gansbaai boat details, wildlife, transport, costs, timing, and practical tips.

“Great day trip. Having been able to see a mom and baby right up close to the boat Made the whole day. The weather was cool and rainy coming down from Cape Town once out in the water the sun and whales showed us how beautiful life is. Only thing could have made this day better would have been a little longer out on the water.”

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Plettenberg Bay: Whale Watching Boat Cruise

5.Plettenberg Bay: Whale Watching Boat Cruise

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

Review of Plettenberg Bay’s 2-hour whale cruise, with dolphins, seals, beach launches, seasonal advice, value, and practical tips.

“We have seen so many animals including seals, dolphins and whales.”

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Whale Watching from Gansbaai

6.Whale Watching from Gansbaai

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

Review of Gansbaai whale watching, with Southern right whales, dolphins, practical tips, pricing, boat details, and booking advice.

“We did Whale Watching with Ivanhoe Safaris. It was not a nice experience. Approximately 15 drunk Russians sceaming every time we saw the whales coming out of the water. The guide did not tell them to shut up! The boat was smelly from petro, no drinks except water. Read more”

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Knysna: Close Encounter Whale Watching Tour by Boat

7.Knysna: Close Encounter Whale Watching Tour by Boat

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

Review of Knysna’s 2-hour whale watching boat tour, with humpback whales, dolphins, Knysna Heads views, prices, tips, and practical advice.

“I cannot recommend this company highly enough. When we were being briefed, we noticed that we were sharing the boat with one very large family with a number of small children who were quite energetic. We were taken aside and given the opportunity to move our booking (free of charge) to the next day, where they could see that only adults had signed up the excursion. It was incredibly kind of them to offer and we gratefully accepted. We had a lovely quiet group the following day. The driver was quite funny and made the short boat journey to the sighting spot pretty entertaining! We were unbelievably fortunate in that…”

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Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus

8.Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus

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

Set out from Hermanus New Harbour for a two-hour whale tour with expert guides, close sightings, refreshments, dolphins, seals, and seasonal whales.

“Our family had an amazing day of whale watching. Great crew and very informative tour. Sighted many Southern Right Whales up close to the boat. Also saw dolphins. Highly recommend this trip to anyone.”

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From Cape Town: Full Day Guided Hermanus and Whale Tour

9.From Cape Town: Full Day Guided Hermanus and Whale Tour

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

Review of Cape Town’s Hermanus whale tour, with coastal views, shore watching, Hemel-en-Aarde wine tasting, and Peregrine Farm Stall.

“What a wonderful experience and interesting stops along the way! It's a beautiful drive with interesting stops and nuggets of information along the way. Hermanus is a beautiful town any day of the year. 'Opted for the additional sightseRead more”

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Gansbaai: Whale Watching Trip by Boat

10.Gansbaai: Whale Watching Trip by Boat

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

Review of Gansbaai’s 2-hour whale boat trip, with Southern Right Whales, dolphins, seals, practical tips, pricing, and booking advice.

“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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From Cape Town: Whale Watching Tour in Hermanus and Gansbaai

11.From Cape Town: Whale Watching Tour in Hermanus and Gansbaai

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

Review a Cape Town whale-watching day trip to Gansbaai, with coastal scenery, penguins, Hermanus, lunch, and practical booking advice.

“Terrific experience. Totally recommend. Everything went smoothly! Special thanks to guide Prem!”

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Whale Watching Walking Tours (Land-Based) – from JUNE 2025

12.Whale Watching Walking Tours (Land-Based) – from JUNE 2025

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 88 reviews · from $57

See Hermanus whales from quiet coastal paths with a private guide, museum visit, air-conditioned vehicle, and flexible viewing stops.

“We met up with Percy on Friday and started at the whale museum he was very knowledgable and informative about all aspects of the whales. We had a good 3.30 hours around Hermanus talking in the views and surrounding area we unfortunately didn’t see any whales but it was still a very enjoyable trip would definitely recommend”

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Plettenberg Bay: Whale-Watching Cruise

13.Plettenberg Bay: Whale-Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 65 reviews · 1h 30m · from $77

Review of Plettenberg Bay’s 90-minute whale cruise, with surf launches, seals, dolphins, pricing, sighting odds, and practical tips.

“It was a very exciting experience The guide was great. He explained a lot, and it showed a lot. it was a really great experience”

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Whale Watching Knysna – Close Encounter Experience Ocean Odyssey

14.Whale Watching Knysna – Close Encounter Experience Ocean Odyssey

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 65 reviews · from $94

Review of Ocean Odyssey’s Knysna whale and dolphin cruise, with close encounters, practical tips, pricing, safety details, and booking advice.

“Perfect. Enjoy the trip. Great teamwork. We saw the whales many times. Safety trip. Thanks a lot guys.”

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Durban: Durban: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

15.Durban: Durban: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 45 reviews · 2 hours · from $102

Watch humpback whales, dolphins, and other marine life on a two-hour Durban boat tour with an expert guide and small-group setting.

“Great, seeing whales up close in their natural environment is a unique experience. Keep your eye on the weather though, a windless day with small swells will give you a better chance of viewing them.”

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