Whale Watching Tour from Cape Town

We went on a wild goose chase around Cape Town for hour and half picking up guests it transpired that a couple weren’t at the meeting point at 8.15 when we arrived as they were told 8.50 we didn’t leave Cape Town until 9.30 it was then a complete rush to get to Hermanus for 12pm boat tour. We went then told lunch was booked at a restaurant for us we waited over an hour for food then Reggie the guide asked us to have it as a takeaway so we could get going we refused as we had ordered a curry and hake and chips and we hadn’t had our drinks. Because of this we had 10 minutes to look around Hermanus to take pictures and shop! We were promised a visit to the botanical gardens but got there at 5 just as they were closing eventually got back at 7.30. All in all on the bus from 8 am to 7.30pm and all the we did was the boat trip yes we did see whales but none of the other promised activities and felt very rushed

It is very bad company its the worst , uncooperative They do not adhere to appointments and times. raji the driver is so mean and racist not professional at all we spouses to go to one spot because they are bot professional we missed the pace it was close !!!! Plus we paid for each 1760 for whale watching after we reach they told us we need to pay more 1500 for the ticket for each they didn’t explain anything to us about any extra payments!!!

This trip took us by van on a two hour ride in a comfortable vehicle to the costal town of Herman's. Our driver was Knowledgeable and very pleasant. We stopped for a coffee and bathroom break. Continuing to wonderful little town of Hermanus where Southern right whales spend their time breaching in the bay, very close to shore. After spending half an hour watching the whales we were turned loose to explore the quaint town for an hour and have lunch, we passed on lunch. We met up with our driver an drove up to a lookout to view the bay from a different perspective. We then headed back towards Cape Town stopping a a wonderful botanic garden. We wished we had spent our lunch break there instead of the hour at Hermanus After the short stay at the gardens we returned to Cape Town. A very nice trip.

Great tour around Cape Town, but the actual boat ride to see the whales is an extra cost. It’s in the small print of the tour details. Additionally we went out on a 9:00 tour on a very windy day. I did feel a little sick on the way back. The waves were very choppy, and the wind was fierce. You should be prepared for September weather. It was an amazing experience. I would do this again.

Exceptional trip with a brilliant and knowledgeable guide. Took a boat trip to see the whales as they just weren’t close enough to the shore. However the guide helped us hugely and made an effort to get us to vantage points on land anyway. However, the whales just wanted to be out at sea so we went to them! And they were amazing!!!!

I had a really lovely day. The guide, Maxwell, is very friendly and attentive. We saw two whales also including one baby. I highly recommend the tour.

Joined this tour on Sep.8. Great tour! Driver/Guide: 5 star. Driver made an extra effort to find a whale as the windy weather cancelled boat tour and the water was very rough. His effort made it real. We saw some whales, even jumping, after driver tried several other spots for us. He was very knowledgeable and explained all the South Africa's history, culture, etc. while driving. Learned a lot about SA I didn't know. Thank you very much and he deserves a 5 star credit!! Van: 2 star. Tour was full (6 people). We were the last for pick up and available seat in the last row had no leg room. Very uncomfortable for a long ride like this tour. Van was nice and clean. Great tour! Even the weather was not so great, enjoyed this tour a lot. Not just whales, but some extra stops and driver's guides made this tour worth it to join.

The only reason this didn't get five stars from me is because I could only book the boat trip on the day, which relied on there being spaces. Since the whole reason for me booking this was to get on the boat trip, this was disappointing because at one point, it looked like there were no spaces. I was fortunate and my amazing tour guide worked to get everyone on the tour onto the boat. We had all booked this trip via different agents, so one couple had somehow booked the boat in advance, but i did not have that option with Viator. My tour guide communicated everything in good time and clearly worked behind the scenes and possibly out of hours to make sure everyone was happy. I was picked up from my Airbnb very punctually and the drive was beautiful, with lots of info from the guide about all sorts of things, from nature to SA's political past. We had a lunch stop in Hermanus after the boat, which I wasn't expecting, but was very grateful for. I learned a lot on this trip, which my friends who didn't go missed out on. Not everyone looks forward to or enjoys hours in a bus, but my lovely guide made it engaging and fun. I am so glad I went and was lucky enough to not only get on the boat but see plenty of whales pretty close up.

Beautiful experience. We had already seen whales in St. Lawrence Bay in Canada, but this experience was absolutely no different. Definitely worth the expense.

Had booked through TripAdvisor first only the bus transfer to Hermanus. The bus was on time and the price with about 70,- € ok. On site you could then book a boat tour for 60,-€ . This included a half-hour drive to the whales raising the calves in the bay. There about 1 h close to the whales and again about a 1/2 hour drive back. I was actually expecting to go out to sea and see the whales there, but I guess my expectations were too high. If you have never seen whales up close, this is probably impressive otherwise also due to the high price rather disappointing. What you only get told after the boat trip is that you can also watch the whales from land with binoculars. You can not get so close but has saved 60,- €! There is a restaurant with a good view (Bientang's Cave) right on the Hermanus Waterfront. The bus program also includes a visit to a viewpoint with a view of Hermanus and a visit to a winery. Neither the driver nor the guide actually had much interest in it and complained that the organizer had put too much into the program. While the viewpoint was still ok (wasn't much of a detour either) the visit to the winery was a disaster, The actually intended winery had closed (doesn't the organizer check or were we already too late?) so the guide and the driver were desperate for an alternative winery. After about 20 min detour we had actually achieved one, but to call it a visit was already audacious. The bus went to the yard once and then out again. After all, we were back in Cape Town on time, with the driver already driving sportily (but felt reasonably safe). Oh yes, there was another 1/2 hour visit to a botanical garden. Probably quite nice for plant lovers, but most probably come for the whales Conclusion: Bus tour to Hermannus is ok, but please without winery. Boat tour everyone needs to know for themselves.