Southern Right Charters
Southern Right Charters
Southern Right Charters
4.5
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About
BOAT BASED WHALE WATCHING IN HERMANUS. Our memorable whale-watching trips are informative and educational. We mostly encounter the Southern Right whales, seals, penguins and marine birds, and often see dolphins, Bryde’s and Humpback whales on many of our trips. The purpose-built catamaran, Miroshca complies with all safety regulations and provides spectacular viewing and comfort. Qualified, experienced skipper with Whale Specialist and Interpreter guide on board- Light refreshments included- DVD of tour available- Licensed permit holder. Daily Departures: 9h00; 12h00 & 15h00. Weather Permitting. Bookings Advisable.
Hermanus, South Africa
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Southern Right Charters
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(5 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
567 reviews
Excellent
420
Very good
94
Average
28
Poor
7
Terrible
18
neeratraveler
San Francisco, CA200 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
We did the Whale watching trip with Southern Right Charters in Hermanus . I don’t remember which tour, it was a planned itinerary. It was amazing to see all the whales. The guide was informative and the crew very good. I tried to take photos but gave up because the boat was a little shaky as we got closer to the whales and I had to hold on to the railings. It was a great experience .
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Written 18 November 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.
Mcoengland
London, UK105 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Nice boat with a great crew. We were extremely lucky with the weather and it was sunny, warm and the sea was calm. The skipper’s knowledge was excellent and he always gave interesting facts and stories. We got to see at least 12 Whales, many seals and the biggest pod of dolphins we’ve ever seen (50/60). Lovely sized boat (not too big) with enthusiastic crew. Would highly recommend.
Written 23 October 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.
Pete J
Waterlooville, UK75 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
What a fantastic trip. The staff were informative and really helped make this a never too forget experience. We were gifted in seeing at least 8 whales ,some so close you felt you could almost touch them. Thank you again for such a memorable trip
Written 4 October 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.
Kathy K
loomis ca999 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
After two days of inclement weather, we squeezed on to a boat at 630am. The earlier the better when seas are calm. If they dont offer this, go for the 9am.
Wonderful experience, whales up close, one curious enough to swim around our boat and stay for 20 minutes. Spectacular.
I went to the pharmacy and got sea sick pills, just in case. Highly recommended. Even though seas were relatively calm, many people on the boat got sick and they were miserable.
Wonderful experience, whales up close, one curious enough to swim around our boat and stay for 20 minutes. Spectacular.
I went to the pharmacy and got sea sick pills, just in case. Highly recommended. Even though seas were relatively calm, many people on the boat got sick and they were miserable.
Written 29 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.
J.M
Singapore, Singapore57 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
There’s drinks to start, guides are well spoken and briefing was great, but too much exaggeration which underwhelmed the experience.
As the trip started, there was nothing for over 30minutes, we were just bouncing on the waves, then one whale appeared from very far away(I’ve seen whales much closer to the shore while driving to the location), it wasn’t that exciting to me but the guide shouted like it was an awesome sight. “Oh WOW”, “LOOK AT THAT”, “WHAT A LUCK”, I know he was trying to make things exciting but it went on for another 30 minutes and I was numb. Luckily we managed to see a calf near the boat and it was a very nice sight, but what diminish it was how seats and people where managed.
We were in front of the queue and was able to sit outside in the front section, though the guide said to remain in the same seats, a group of Dutch started to come and sit right in front of me on top of the handles, screaming throughout, slide in and out of the handles and destroyed all the views and experience. The guides saw that and ignored, I did not want to quarrel but just tolerated.
Overall a good one time experience but unlikely to return.
As the trip started, there was nothing for over 30minutes, we were just bouncing on the waves, then one whale appeared from very far away(I’ve seen whales much closer to the shore while driving to the location), it wasn’t that exciting to me but the guide shouted like it was an awesome sight. “Oh WOW”, “LOOK AT THAT”, “WHAT A LUCK”, I know he was trying to make things exciting but it went on for another 30 minutes and I was numb. Luckily we managed to see a calf near the boat and it was a very nice sight, but what diminish it was how seats and people where managed.
We were in front of the queue and was able to sit outside in the front section, though the guide said to remain in the same seats, a group of Dutch started to come and sit right in front of me on top of the handles, screaming throughout, slide in and out of the handles and destroyed all the views and experience. The guides saw that and ignored, I did not want to quarrel but just tolerated.
Overall a good one time experience but unlikely to return.
Written 19 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.
Kate Z
12 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We were excited to see a juvenile and mother Southern Right whale close up. Our guide, Jach was very informative and enthusiastic. Although we got a little seasick, the crew came around and handed out ginger ale and coke which helped.
Written 18 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.
Marissa Y
10 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
We had a great whale watching experience with Southern Right Charters. The chances of seeing whales up close are hit or miss, regardless of the operator, conditions or time of day. But we saw many whales, and even got to see a whale breach, all with the beautiful Hermanus coast line in the backdrop. The guide was knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and the boat was nice and clean!
Written 29 August 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.
Adventure575646
Amersham, UK7 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
This was truly one of the best moments of my life. We opted for the 06h30 tour for an incredible sunrise and saw loads of whales
The crew were brilliant
We’re greeted with coffee and muffins and then a briefing learning lots.
We booked direct through their website and organised a car to drive us out from Cape Town and then back
Such a memorable experience thank you
The crew were brilliant
We’re greeted with coffee and muffins and then a briefing learning lots.
We booked direct through their website and organised a car to drive us out from Cape Town and then back
Such a memorable experience thank you
Written 24 August 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.
Inasu Chirayath
Dubai, United Arab Emirates558 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
We took the 08:30 cruise. Parked the car in their premises. There was coffee and muffins. You need to get the key from the reception if you want to use the toilet. The boat was big and not crowded. There was plenty of space. The Captain was very knowledgeable and explained to us everything in detail during the briefing before we took off and onboard while we were sailing and up close to these beautiful whales. We were so happy we saw them in their natural habitat, deep in the ocean! It’s their world where there is no place for religion or politics, so peaceful! Our son is special needs child, he was very well taken care. We bought some souvenirs and also the USB with the video shot from drone. It was an amazing day to start with, spectacular would be an understatement! We thank the crew, the reception staff and of course the whales!
Written 21 August 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.
charliesangeltoo
Kuwait81 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
What an amazing experience!
We opted for the 6.30am cruise (much to the distress of the teens), but so glad we did.
We were greeted extremely jovially by the staff with hot drinks and muffins. After a quick intro from our fun and informative guide we were off. A 30 min calm boat ride out into the bay, as the sun rose over the mountains we encountered lots of Southern Right whales straight away. We spent an hour or so cruising near the magical creatures with a calf coming alongside the boat and spending a fair amount of time checking us out.
The boat itself was super clean and only took around 40 people, with tonnes of space and viewing visibility, the guide always helping you be in the right spot for best sightings.
I can highly recommend Southern Right Charters, wonderful morning😃
We opted for the 6.30am cruise (much to the distress of the teens), but so glad we did.
We were greeted extremely jovially by the staff with hot drinks and muffins. After a quick intro from our fun and informative guide we were off. A 30 min calm boat ride out into the bay, as the sun rose over the mountains we encountered lots of Southern Right whales straight away. We spent an hour or so cruising near the magical creatures with a calf coming alongside the boat and spending a fair amount of time checking us out.
The boat itself was super clean and only took around 40 people, with tonnes of space and viewing visibility, the guide always helping you be in the right spot for best sightings.
I can highly recommend Southern Right Charters, wonderful morning😃
Written 20 August 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.
Dave M
Hemel Hempstead, UK161 contributions
We are visiting Hermanus in early September. Southern Right Charters look a good company. Do I need to book in advance or will I be able to wait until we get there? Thanks.
Petro P
North-West Province, South Africa20 contributions
September is peak whale season so booking in advance will be a good idea
lenanash31
New York City, NY114 contributions
What is the optimal time of year to do this tour? With the best chance of seeing whales.
JoolesMansfield_UK
Nottingham, UK45 contributions
The best times are from August to November just bear in mind August is still classed as Winter. We went end October and it was only just getting warmer
Wajahat E
2 contributions
Hey,
What are the chance of sighting whale now?
Fo you guys offer a package that includes transfers form and back to Cape Town?
Regards,
Wajahat
chrispyke
Withernsea, UK14 contributions
HI there we are visiting over Easter this year, what are the chances of seeing whales at that time of year?