Travel Guide · Cape Town Departures
Whale Watching Day Tours From Cape Town
Duration
Full day · 9 – 10 hours
Season
June – early December
Departs from
Cape Town (hotel pickup)
Group size
Min. 4 adults · private on request
How To Travel From Cape Town to Hermanus
Hermanus sits roughly 120 km south-east of Cape Town on the shore of Walker Bay. Most visitors travelling for whale watching choose between four options: a guided day tour with hotel pickup, a private transfer, a door-to-door shuttle, or self-driving via the N2 or the R44 Clarence Drive coastal route.
The fastest route is the N2 highway over Sir Lowry's Pass (~90 minutes one-way). The most scenic route is Clarence Drive (R44) hugging the False Bay coastline through Gordon's Bay, Rooi-Els and Betty's Bay (~2 to 2.5 hours one-way with stops). Our guided day tour uses the scenic R44 outbound and the N2 on the return.
For the whales themselves — species, season, sightings and the Hermanus boat trip itself — see our dedicated Whale Watching Hermanus page.
Guided Day Tour
Full-day scheduled tour with hotel pickup, registered guide, vehicle, Stony Point Penguins and optional Hermanus boat trip. Best for solo travellers and couples.
From R1,400 pp
Private Transfer
Private vehicle and driver from your Cape Town accommodation to Hermanus and return. Flexible pickup time, route and stops. Best for families and small groups.
Quoted on request
Shuttle Service
Door-to-door shuttle from Cape Town hotels to the Hermanus New Harbour for the boat-based whale watching trip and return. No guide, no penguin stop.
Quoted on request
Self-Drive
Drive yourself via N2 (90 min) or R44 Clarence Drive (2 hrs). Free parking at the Hermanus New Harbour. Best for guests with a hire car already.
Boat trip only
Cape Town Pickup Locations
We collect day-tour and transfer guests directly from accommodation in the following areas. Pickups outside these zones (Airport, Constantia, Hout Bay, Llandudno, Stellenbosch, Somerset West) can be arranged on request and are quoted separately.
V&A Waterfront
Cape Town City Bowl
Gardens & Tamboerskloof
Sea Point & Green Point
Camps Bay & Bantry Bay
Mouille Point
De Waterkant
Clifton
Foreshore hotels
Full Itinerary
Collection from Hotel or Guesthouse
07:00Cape Town pickup from your hotel, guesthouse or B&B.
Gordon's Bay
07:45Coastal drive past the harbour and False Bay coastline.
Sir Lowry's & Clarence Drive
08:15One of the world's most scenic coastal routes, hugging cliffs above the Atlantic.
Disa Kloof Waterfall, Betty's Bay (optional)
08:45Short detour into Harold Porter National Botanical Garden — an easy walk through fynbos to a hidden Overberg waterfall before continuing to Hermanus.
Stony Point Penguin Colony, Betty's Bay
09:00Visit the famous African Penguin breeding colony at Betty's Bay.
Arrive Hermanus
10:00World-renowned for land-based whale watching from the Cliff Path.
Optional Boat Based Whale Watching Trip
10:30Join the optional 2-hour boat trip — or stay on shore and explore.
Lunch in Hermanus
13:00Free time for lunch overlooking Walker Bay (own account).
Cliff Path Walk
14:00Walk the famous Hermanus Cliff Path — Southern Right Whales often visible from shore.
Rotary Drive Viewpoint
15:00Panoramic photo stop above Walker Bay and the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.
Return to Cape Town
17:00Scenic return drive with drop-off at your hotel.
Itinerary timings are approximate and may change based on traffic, weather and group preference.
What happens if the boat trip is cancelled?
Should sea conditions prevent the boat trip from operating, guests enjoy an extended guided Whale Watching Walking Tour along the Hermanus Cliff Path — internationally famous for close-up land-based whale watching and excellent opportunities to view Southern Right Whales from shore.
Is the boat trip compulsory?
No. The Boat Based Whale Watching Trip is completely optional. Guests who prefer not to participate may enjoy:
- Hermanus Cliff Path
- Hermanus town centre
- Local restaurants and coffee shops
- Whale watching from shore
- Photography around Walker Bay
Hermanus Whale Watching Day Tour Pricing
Per person, includes hotel collection, registered guide, vehicle and Stony Point entrance.
Adult
Ages 13+
R1,400
Per person
Child Under 12
Ages 3 – 12
R700
Per child
Child Under 3
On parent's lap
Free
Free of charge
The Boat Based Whale Watching Trip is NOT included in the day tour price. Boat trip pricing is shown separately below.
Optional add-on
Boat Based Whale Watching Trip in Hermanus
Live pricing — synced with our Hermanus Whale Watching Rates page.
- Adult (Ages 13+)R1,580
- Pensioner / Student (Valid ID required)R1,480
- Child Under 12 (Ages 4 – 12)R790
- Child Under 3 (On parent's lap)Free
Minimum numbers
Minimum of 4 adults required for scheduled departures. Private tours are available on request and quoted separately.
Included
- Registered Tour Guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Hotel / guesthouse collection
- Hotel / guesthouse drop-off
- Entrance to Stony Point Penguin Colony
- Guided whale watching experience
Not Included
- Lunch
- Boat Based Whale Watching Trip
- Gratuities
Departure Times
Collection
07:00 — Cape Town hotel / guesthouse
Duration
Full day · approx. 9 – 10 hours
Departures and boat trips are weather-dependent and subject to confirmation at the time of booking.
Cape Town to Hermanus — Travel FAQ
How long is the drive from Cape Town to Hermanus?
Hermanus is approximately 120 km from Cape Town. Via the scenic Clarence Drive (R44) coastal route used on our day tour, the drive takes around 2 to 2.5 hours one-way including a stop at Stony Point Penguin Colony. Via the N2 highway and Sir Lowry's Pass it takes roughly 90 minutes one-way without stops.
Where does the Cape Town pickup take place?
We collect guests directly from hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs and short-stay apartments in central Cape Town, the V&A Waterfront, Sea Point, Green Point, Camps Bay, Gardens and the City Bowl. Pickups from Cape Town International Airport, the Southern Suburbs (Constantia, Newlands, Claremont) and the Atlantic Seaboard further afield can be arranged on request — quoted separately.
What time is the Cape Town hotel pickup?
Standard pickup begins at 07:00 from your Cape Town accommodation. Exact pickup time is confirmed the day before based on your hotel location and the morning route. Guests staying further from the city centre may be collected slightly earlier.
Can I book a private transfer instead of the shared tour?
Yes. Private transfers from Cape Town to Hermanus are available for families, couples and small groups who prefer flexibility on pickup time, route and stops. Private day tours are quoted separately based on group size, vehicle and itinerary requirements.
Is a shuttle service available between Cape Town and Hermanus?
Yes — a private door-to-door shuttle can be arranged from your Cape Town accommodation to the New Harbour in Hermanus and return. This is ideal for guests booking only the boat-based whale watching trip without the full guided day tour. Shuttles are quoted separately based on the number of passengers.
Can I self-drive from Cape Town instead?
Yes. Self-drive guests typically take the N2 highway over Sir Lowry's Pass, then the R43 into Hermanus (approx. 90 minutes), or the more scenic R44 Clarence Drive via Gordon's Bay, Betty's Bay and Stony Point Penguin Colony (approx. 2 hours). Parking is available at the Hermanus New Harbour for boat-based whale watching departures.
What is included in the day tour from Cape Town?
The day tour fare includes a registered tour guide, air-conditioned vehicle, hotel collection and drop-off in Cape Town, and entrance to the Stony Point Penguin Colony at Betty's Bay. The optional boat-based whale watching trip in Hermanus, lunch and gratuities are not included and are charged separately.
What time does the tour return to Cape Town?
Guests are typically dropped back at their Cape Town accommodation between 17:00 and 18:00, depending on traffic on the N2 and the return route taken. The full day runs approximately 9 to 10 hours from collection to drop-off.
Is the day tour suitable for families with children?
Yes. Children under 12 are charged R700 per child and under 3 travel free of charge. Booster seats can be arranged on request. The full-day itinerary includes regular comfort stops, a penguin colony visit and free time in Hermanus, making it practical for families travelling from Cape Town.
Book Your Hermanus Day Tour from Cape Town
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Seasonal Expedition
Visiting Cape Town Outside Whale Season?
Between November and March our Yzerfontein Humpback Whale Expedition sails the Cape West Coast in search of Humpback Whale super groups — a small-group expedition departing roughly 90 minutes north of Cape Town, and one of the few places on earth where this behaviour is regularly observed from a boat.