Now that you understand a bit more about the whales, where are the best places to see them during whale season. From simons town there are leisurely ways to look at the sharks, seals whales, dolphins as boat trips depart for cape point itself, seal island in false bay, in addition to simons town harbour boat cruises or whale watching boat cruises. Aug 29, 2017 the hermanus whale watching festival is a fun and celebratory way to immerse into the whale watching fever that takes over the town. Area 6 of walker bay has the town of hermanus on its northern shore and the town of gansbaai on its southern shore. Whale watching is seasonal, our whale watching trips are weather depended, book a trip with us now.
We specialize in boat based whale watching in hermanus and we pride ourselves in offering a uniquely personalized service to all our clients. Hermanus about two hours outside of cape town along the garden route, hermanus is famous for its whale watching. Download this tours pdf brochure and start tour planning offline. Toprated cape town whale watching tours 2020 dolphin tours. There are several reputable and responsible boat companies in simons town, such as simons town boat company, that take regular whale viewing trips throughout the season. Best whale watching in cape town boat based whale watching.
Boatbased whale watching, simons town, cape town click on thumbnails to enlarge get up close and personal with the southern right whales on our whale watching boat trip departing from simons town situated 40 minutes from cape town central. The whale route is famous for wonderful whale watching and the tour travels along the coastline through gordons bay, pringle bay and bettys bay, en route to hermanus. A marine reserve encompassing the waters directly in front of the twelve apostles affords the hotels guests with frequent whale and dolphin sightings, from both the leopard bar. The wwf and greenpeace regard whale watching in cape town as one of the top 3 places in the world to get up and personal with whales. Swap the hustle and bustle of cape town for a peaceful day of scenic views and a whale watching boat trip. For this tour, we depart from the cape town city centre. Overberg explore walker bay with 3 reputable operators.
Board dreamcatcher our 5 star, custombuilt whale watching vessel. Here are some of our ideas for whale watching between august and november. It is illegal to approach within 300 metres of whales in any craft boat, kayak, aircraft and only a few legally permitted boat based whale watching operators in south africa may. Oceans africa is the only specialist scuba diving and whale watching tour operator in south africa with members and associates in all the main coastal regions of south africa we can create the perfect tour package for you. Dec 25, 2016 in cape town itself, you can see them from the road along the false bay coast, and theyre distinctly visible on the western seaboard if you get high enough on the scenic coastal victoria road. There are many cape fur seals, african penguins, dolphins. From may onwards southern right whales pay homage to these warm, shallow waters in order to calf their young and to mate.
When you book a trip with us, the evening before your tour we will contact you or your accommodation to confirm the time of your tour. Boat based whale watching 2hr boat trip take a 2 hour southern right whale boat base trip and view these gentle giants from the comfort of a purpose built whale viewing vessel, the ivanhoe. Apart from the southern right whales, we are able to view brydes whales, humpback whales and possibly even great white sharks. Ivanhoe sea safaris is universally regarded as the leading boatbased whale watching company in south africa we also boast one of the limited whale watching permits allocated country wide. Cape town boat charters whale watching boat trips cape town. Winetasting and whalewatching tour from cape town 2020. We specialise in private guided tours of cape town, cape point, the cape wine route, the garden route and selected overland safari tours. Whale and bird watching what you can expect a typical trip with dyer island cruises.
For the best hermanus whale watching experience, there is no better choice than ivanhoe sea safaris 5yrs consecutive winner of certificate of excellence, and with a proven track record since 1996, the company has established a reputation of offering an unrivaled. A popular holiday destination for tourists and locals alike, hermanus is hailed as offering the best land based whale watching in the world. The selfproclaimed whalewatching capital of the world, the small town of hermanus undeniably holds a few trump cards. The tour offers you the best of both landbased and boatbased whale watching in the western cape. Boat trips are taken on the ivanhoe a m catamaran that is fully equipped with toilet facilities, an upper viewing deck, lower deck, dry cabins and other features that ensure the safety and comfort of passengers at all times. South africa may be known for its big five, but the marine wildlife is just as impressive. Some things to know about whale watching trips in cape town that are offered by ivanhoe safaris include the following. Cape town whale watching whale watching in hermanus, cape town. Would highly reccomend percy tours and the whales watching, shark diving and kayaking. Whale watching trips a typical trip will have you exploring our magnificent coastline and bay while looking for whales, dolphins, sharks, seals and seabirds. In cape town itself, you can see them from the road along the false bay coast, and theyre distinctly visible on the western seaboard if you get high enough on the scenic coastal victoria road. To limit the spread of the coronavirus, attractions may be closed or have partial closures.
Just a 2 hour drive from cape town to the whale capital of. If you are visiting cape town between july and november and want an exciting experience, book a boatbased whale watching trip departing from simons town. Less than two hours drive from cape town on the northwestern side of. The western cape is one of the top whale watching destinations of the world rated number two by uks the telegraph, and we are particularly lucky to have some of the best spots not too far off from our capital of cape town where we can witness these glorious creatures amidst their annual migratory patterns. When it comes to whale watching tours, cape town has some of the very best sea safaris, big 5 boats and opportunities on offer to see whales up close. The 120 km transfer from cape town to hermanus takes you on the magnificent coastal route along clarence drive, past rugged mountains and sweeping bays. Hermanus whale watching best close encounters, purpose. We operate in area 6 of walker bay which is celebrated as the. Whale watching in cape town south africa travel news.
This year, the festival takes place over three days from 29 september to 1 october 2017 and as always promises good food, live entertainment and awareness of all things cetacean. Gansbaai is the true gem and the place we find the most eco and ethical local operator who takes you out for a 2hr boat trip to visit the whales. Whale watching private day tour to gansbaai from cape town. Cape town boat charters can take you in various directions. Let me make your dreams come true on a 100% personalized tour. There is also a whale festival, attracting up to 100. Whale watching cape town wanderer day tour and adventure. A daytrip out of cape town to the seaside town of hermanus is definitely worthwhile.
Whale watching tours south africa best whale watching in sa. Boat based whale watching 2hr boat trip cape town south. Whale watching tour downhill adventures cape town adventures. Aug 26, 20 the selfproclaimed whalewatching capital of the world, the small town of hermanus undeniably holds a few trump cards. Whale watching tour cape town hermanus gansbaai whale and dolphin watching tour. Spend time whale watching in simons town, step aboard a seal island boat trip, or get your blood pumping with a high speed boat ride. Southern right charters depart from hermanus, the heart of the cape whale coast. You wont waste a moment, as your guide will point out attractions. Enjoy a private day trip to hermanus which is world famous for its abundant sea life including southern right whales in season. These sea animals that are generally the cumulative size of around 10 african elephants can be pretty elusive and september has had very few days that. Add to that, that there are well over 100 whales mothers nursing new born babies are commonly seen in walker bay at any one time and you are in for the thrill of a lifetime. Hermanus, a small seaside town two hours from cape town, is the whale watching capital of the world. Travel to hermanus to see right whales off the coast or upgrade your tour with an optional whale watching cruise. Spend 23 hours on a luxury boat with a whale specialist on board and enjoy the possibility of sightings of humpback whales, brydes whales, dolphins, sharks, seals and other sea life.
For much of the year, from june to december, thousands of southern right and humpback whales visit the waters around hermanus. Whale watching day trip from cape town south africa. The whale route is a coastal stretch of road that goes eastwards from cape town, making its way past a few coastal towns and ending at gansbaai. After breakfast, transfer by road to grootbos private nature reserve where you will spend the next three nights. The centre of south african whale watching is hermanus at the walker bay, 100 kilometers east of cape town. Spectacular coastline, impressive mountain ranges and an abundance of good wine all lead to the onceina lifetime sighting of southern right whales basking in the warmth of walker bay, between july and november this is hermanus, and there is no better way to experience this than via our private hermanus tour. From cape town and the lush rolling hills of the cape winelands, to safari game drives in the karoo and whale watching from hermanus, this unforgettable. Taste local wines in the hemel en aarde valley, then visit sir lowrys pass and elgin. From july to december the pods of whales grace the shores of southern africa. These can be seen from the coastline but there is also an option to book a boat trip to see these gentle giants from up close. Apart from the southern right whales, we are able to view brydeswhales, humpback whales and possibly even great white sharks. Hermanus is hailed as offering the best land based whale watching in the world. Please consult government travel advisories before.
You will also enjoy a wine tasting at bouchard finlayson wine estate. Mostly at cape town, plettenberg bay, gansbaai, simons town and from table mountain national park. This is the whale watching town of south africa and it is here that you will experience the beauty of the majestic southern right whales. We recommend this journey to our discerning clients whether it is whale season or not. These boatbased adventures are a great choice for nature lovers, photographers, families and anyone else who appreciates the beauty of being out at sea. Whale watching trips in cape town whale viewing trips. Join us on a wonderful cape town day trip marine safari that takes us to see the mighty southern wright whale. We expected a driver and transactional car transfer, but we got a charismatic and informative tour guide who entertained us and taught us a lot about cape town and south africa. Further south, the town of hermanus in walker bay on the cape south coast offers possibly the best landbased whalewatching in the world. Whale watching tours south africa best whale watching in. Every year, southern right whales take a vacation in cape waters, treating cape town locals to a display of breaching, fluking, spouting, and spyhopping. From july to november the southern right whale comes to breed in the bay near this seaside town, an easy and beautiful drive from cape town. Whale route watching day coach tours cape town south africa. Begin your journey from cape town and go whale watching from the shores of hermanus, the whale capital of south africa, while listening to the whale criers.
Cape town s seas are teeming with life, including some of the biggest creatures on earth. Approximately an hour and a half away from cape town is the seaside town of hermanus. You will also have the chance to explore the fishing and holiday town of hermanus at your leisur. Where to go dolphin and whale watching in cape town 12. Whale watching trips usually include sightings of seals, dolphins, penguins and other seabirds. Combine two of south africas top activities, whalewatching and winetasting, in a single 9hour tour from cape town. We leave cape town and drive along the picturesque clarens drive, a wellmaintained road that hugs the rugged coastline as it cuts through the steep kogelberg and hottentots. Kayaking cape town tours hermanus tour guide whale. Travel to hermanus to see right whales off the coast or upgrade your tour with an optional whalewatching cruise. There are three types of whales usually sighted in false bay southern right, humpbacks and brydes. Cape of good hope and penguins full day tour from cape town. Cape town whale watching south africa whale watching. This whale watching tour is a full day, guided tour from cape town to hermanus.
No need to worry about booking your own transport as hotel pickup and dropoff is included. These gentle giants of the deep grow to a massive 18 metres long and weight up to 80 tons, so they are really mindblowingly huge. Hermanus whale watching near cape town, gansbaai in south. Hermanus whale watching best close encounters, purpose built boat. For braver souls shark cage viewing andor diving is one of the ultimate adrenalin rushes with the. About an hours drive from cape town is hermanus, which also offers excellent whale watching and a further half an hour east of that is the little town of gansbaai with equally good, arguably better, whale watching. Combine two of south africas top activities, whale watching and winetasting, in a single 9hour tour from cape town. Whale watching in cape town, hermanus, south africa. The nice thing about doing the whale route road trip is that even if, for some reason, you dont get to see the whales, there are plenty of other activities to keep you busy, from bird watching to. Whale watching in south africa home brand south africa. South africa the best tips for whale watching in south.
Garden route big 5 safari overnight shared tour by kabura travel. Tucked between the mountains and the waters of walker bay, you can enjoy spotting the marine big 5 that call this dramatic stretch of coastline home whales, sharks, dolphins, seals and penguins. Just a 2 hour drive from cape town to the whale capital of the world hermanus, launching from gansbaai. The whale route south africa amazing road trips from cape. Kayak trips range from 90 minutes to 3 hours although they normally take about 2 hours. Whale watching and marine big 5 tours in south africa. The duration of the trip depends entirely on how far away the whales are. From exhilarating boat trips to an annual whale watching festival, heres where to go dolphin and whale watching in cape town, during a stay at the twelve apostles. The duiker island boat trip remains a popular attraction, allowing visitors to see the massive colony of 75000 cape fur seals, with kalk bay boat trips, hout bay boat trips, and simonstown boat trips. The whale route south africa amazing road trips from cape town.
Only a 2 hour drive from cape town transport options are available, dyer island cruises offers our guests the potential to see more marine wildlife in one trip, than anywhere else in the country. Also, the numbers of other types of whales there have. Whale watching in cape town for those wanting to see the gentle giants of the ocean, whale watching in cape town can be enjoyed throughout the spring and early summer months. Cape town whale watching whale watching in hermanus. Hermanus whale watching is renowned for the most prolific whale viewing experience in the world. Every year, southern right whales travel to our shores from antartica, treating. Heading out to sea will give you a spectacular new perspective on the cape point coastline, and increase your chances of seeing whales.