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Whale Watching Hermanus
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Whale Watching Hermanus

See all things to do
See all things to do
Whale Watching Hermanus
4.5
#6 of 21 Boat Tours & Water Sports in Hermanus
Dolphin & Whale Watching
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
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About
Boat Based Whale Watching trips in Hermanus & Gansbaai to see Southern Right Whales & other marine life. Season June - December. Adults - R1020 per adult and R510 per child under 12yrs
Hermanus, South Africa
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Whale Watching Hermanus
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
34 reviews
Excellent
28
Very good
3
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
3
osmana
Cape Town, South Africa6 contributions
Awful - Judgy Contact Person
Sep 2023 • Solo
I asked a discount for a whale watching boat tour as a low budget and unemployed person but this company kept questioning me why I was willing to go for this tour since I mentioned that I was unemployed. They accused me with living on other peoples expenses, which I have never even told them anything like that or I had no money or asking people to give me or spend money for me since I never did that. They accused me that I was stealing others jobs and exploiting businesses by asking a discount. They think that if someone ask for a discount, it means that the businesses must support me instead of saying "Yes" or "No" to my request. They took this simple discount request to something so much private for almost 2 hours and I was really curious to see how far they would go and cross more lines by telling me absurd, illogical thoughts and man, they have no limit, loving to argue with someone who asked a discount.
Written 5 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Getaway21893234347
Johannesburg, South Africa11 contributions
Whales
Jul 2023 • Family
Beautiful experience. Got to see a couple of whales with their babies 😍. It was indeed a beautiful sight.
Written 12 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aud1507
Fife, UK19 contributions
Excellent Customer Service and Great Communication
Oct 2018 • Couples
I booked this trip 7 months in advance based on other customers' reviews. The whale watching boat trip was to be one of the highlights of our holiday to South Africa. Unfortunately, due the adverse sea conditions, Whale Watching Hermanus had to cancel all their boat trips for the four days we were in Hermanus. However, Shane offered to try to get us booked on a boat trip with another company in Plettenberg Bay as we were due to be there a few days later. On our second attempt from Plett we were successful in getting out and had the most amazing, close up encounter with four humpback whales which interacted with our boat for almost an hour. Considering Whale Watching Hermanus lost all of their business before, during and after the Hermanus Whale Festival, Shane kept in touch and did everything he could to make sure we did get close to whales. Thanks so much for this, Shane. You were instrumental in giving us an incredible experience and for memories which will last a life time.
Written 17 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shane Pienaar
Dear Audrey Latto, Thank you for your VERY KIND review and also taking the time to review us on TripAdvisor. It is really appreciated!!! I have to say that you are SPOT ON on what we try to do at Whale Watching Hermanus for our Guests. And thank you for highlighting it in your review. We always want to try to help guests like yourself to not miss this AMAZING experience. So, just like in your case where the weather in Hermanus was poor for a week and your trips were canceled, we always try to see if we can get you on another trip somewhere else if you are continuing your travels elsewhere in South Africa, as Guests are not aware of their options when coming to a country they are new too. There is so much information out there and to try to and figure out everything is almost impossible and that's where we come in. We will take this hassle away for you and try to make your holiday extra special. We are very privileged to be able to make your HOLIDAY that extra special and thank you for the opportunity. All the best with the rest of your adventures. Have a lovely day. Kind Regards Whale Watching Hermanus
Written 18 October 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Astomanos
Morden, UK3 contributions
Lovely but bit short
Oct 2018 • Family
This was great weather was luckily perfect . Loved it and staff very passionate and fun too. Only negative was that you probably only spend 45 mins with whales - wd recommend the tours are an extra half hour, would happily pay the extra for the time of such a special experience.
Written 15 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taryn W
Florida151 contributions
Awful service, very disappointed
Oct 2018 • Couples
Booked 2-3 months in advance, trip was cancelled on the Saturday due to weather conditions which is understandable. Changed to Sunday. When we got there they were running an hour late, couldn’t find our name and our deposit. Unfortunately we were catching a flight so couldn’t go later.

The booking interaction was so well organized but when we got there it was a dog show! No one knew what anyone was doing, line of people, most were angry due to the disorganized nature of the staff.

The other companies looked very well run. So disappointed, booked this for my husbands birthday months ago and we didn’t get to go 😒
Written 14 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shane Pienaar
Dear Taryn Gecelter, Thank you for taking the time to review us on Tripadvisor. It is much appreciated. It is only by getting feedback from yourselves that can help us improve our service to guests. So, all feedback whether negative or positive is vital to us and we thank you for it. We do sincerely apologize with regards to the mix up at the Office with not being able to find you on the booking system. This does, unfortunately, happen from time to time, as no system is full proof. But we will try to improve this. Again we do apologize. The boat was also running late that day and this is out of our hands, as this can happen sometimes. It was not a good day all around. We are so sorry that you missed your Whale Watching Trip as you had a flight to catch from Cape Town as the boat was running late and this resulted in you not being able to go on your Whale Watching Trip. Have a lovely day. Kind Regards Whale Watching Hermanus
Written 18 October 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lisa G
Reading, UK26 contributions
Fantastic customer service
Sep 2018 • Couples
We booked on-line for a whale watching trip whilst we were in Cape Town & were told that we wouldn't need to pay until we were there on the day, just in case the trip was cancelled. SADLY for us, the only 2 days that we could make the trip the weather was too bad to go out.
Shane was extremely helpful in giving us suggestions as to where we could walk to view the whales in Hermanus. He gave us suggestions on places to visit & eat & he was a generally really nice & helpful person, even more so when you consider that he wasn't getting paid.
Thanks Shane, if we ever come back to Cape Town I will certainly contact you again for a trip.
Written 9 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margot J
6 contributions
Amazing day!
Sep 2018 • Couples
We booked at Whale Watching Hermanus in advance, but they did not make me pay, they wanted to make sure the weather was favorable for the trip. I paid on the day before the trip directly.
Also, we were not too much on the boat, it didn’t look like a huge tourist site :)
We did the trip at the end of the day!
It was honestly spectacular, we did not know where to look: dolphins swimming around us, seals jumping, whales all playing together.
I recommend it, this is a great experience !
Written 14 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
B C
Nottingham, UK22 contributions
Great experience from start to finish
Sep 2018 • Friends
We booked very last minute due to uncertainty about the weather. We made our booking from the car on the way to Hermanus and Shane was fantastic about getting the booking sorted out in quick time. As the weather was proving unpredictable Shane gave us a choice of times and kept us up to date until half an hour before we were due to meet. Excellent customer service was then continued through the office at check in.
The boat is beautiful and the crew determined to ensure that every visitor has a wonderful trip. The local knowledge of the team meant that we spent an hour and a half in very close proximity to a number of magnificent mothers and calves before reluctantly returning to the harbour.
All in all it was a flawless service with magical results and we cannot thank the team enough for their dedication and commitment.
Written 2 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shane Pienaar
Dear Bernadine I just want to say thank you for taking out the time to review us on Tripadvisor. This is HIGHLY appreciated. Our biggest joy is helping guests like yourself making their holiday a little bit more special in helping guests like yourselves do something that is very unique to Hermanus and the world. We have the privilege of trying to make this amazing trip happen for you and your family. We thank you for giving us this great opportunity. The cherry on the top is that you had a great time with the Hermanus Whale Watchers crew and they are an amazing bunch that took great care of you and your friends and family. All credit must go to the crew and how hard they work every day from checking in the guests to when you on the boat. They are amazing. Thank you again for the review and we wish you all the best for your future adventures and travels and we look forward to hopefully see you again. Kind Regards Whale Watchng Hermanus
Written 5 September 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
timothyc617
6 contributions
DO NOT MISS this amazing experience!
Aug 2018 • Couples
After a quick historical and safety overview, the pros at Whale Watching Hermanus get right to it—they help you board the boat; then you take a quick 20- to 30-minute boat ride into the bay. Within minutes, our guides had spotted multiple pods of Southern Right whales...and within a few more minutes, they were frolicking around our boat, just feet away! I wish I had time to this again—it's an experience I'll never forget. We leaved Whale Watching Hermanus and would recommend them to anyone in a heartbeat. P.S. The catamaran is really stable, so the potential for seasickness is minimized. They even provided refreshments. Do it!!
Written 24 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shane Pienaar
Hi Timothy Thank you for such an amazing review!!! Thank you for taking the time to write the Review. Hermanus Whale Watchers are amazing. All credit goes to the staff that makes the experience so much more. From the time you enter the office to the time you step off the boat you feel well looked after. All CREDIT goes to them. We are so happy you had an amazing time and glad we could help make it happen for you. We are pleased that we could help to make your holiday that much more special even though it is in such a small way. We wish you all the best with your future adventures and hope you visit again one day. All the best and take care Kind Regards Whale Watching Hermanus
Written 25 August 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nena L
Rockville, MD18 contributions
Put on a show
Jul 2018
We scheduled beforehand and they were right on time. The boat was in very good condition and the team was very knowledgeable of the habits and behavior of Southern Right Whales. They guided us on the best ways to identify whales and answered all our questions with plenty of information. A two-hour ride to remember. Thank you all for making our whale sighting tour a memorable one.
Written 18 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shane Pienaar
Dear Nena Thank you VERY MUCH for taking out the time to write the above review. It is GREATLY APPRECIATED!!! We are very happy that we could you help you make this AMAZING EXPERIENCE HAPPEN and to be a small part of trying to make your holiday in South Africa a memorable one. The crew are amazing and I give ALL CREDIT to them and their hard work on a daily basis. We wish you all the best for your future travels and hope you come back again. Have a lovely day. Kind Regards Whale Watching Hermanus
Written 21 August 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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WHALE WATCHING HERMANUS - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go