Hermanus Whale Watching
From Cape Town.
Private ground journey. Supplier-operated whale cruise.
Travel privately from Cape Town to Hermanus for a whale-watching cruise operated by Southern Right Charters, with Along the Shaws coordinating the ground journey around the confirmed supplier departure and sea conditions.
PRIVATE CAPE TOWN
GROUND JOURNEY
SOUTHERN RIGHT
CHARTERS CRUISE
1½–3 HOURS
SUPPLIER CRUISE
HERMANUS
NEW HARBOUR
Private road journey. Shared marine experience.
Vessel, crew, live marine rate, sighting-remedy terms and sea-state decisions remain supplier-controlled.
Duration
8–10 hours overall; Southern Right Charters cruise approximately 1½–3 hours (average about 2 hours)
Tour type
Private tour
Group size
Min 2
Collection
Cape Town area
Confirmation
Supplier confirmation
Hermanus whale watching from Cape Town
Private Cape Town-to-Hermanus ground transport paired with a Southern Right Charters whale-watching cruise.
Along the Shaws coordinates the private road journey from the confirmed Cape Town collection point to Hermanus New Harbour and back. Southern Right Charters operates the vessel, skipper, marine crew, Whale Specialist Guide, safety briefing and boat-based whale-watching experience. The supplier currently publishes a cruise duration of approximately 1½–3 hours, averaging about two hours.
Wildlife remains natural and cannot be guaranteed. Southern Right Charters controls departure times, live marine rates, weather and sea-condition decisions, passenger requirements and supplier-specific terms. The supplier currently publishes a separate remedy when no whales or dolphins are encountered, but third-party bookings are handled through the booking party. The marine cruise may include other passengers unless a separate private charter is requested and confirmed; the Cape Town-to-Hermanus ground journey remains private to your booking.
Southern Right Charters Operates the Cruise
The vessel, specialist marine team, safety procedures and on-water experience belong to Southern Right Charters at Hermanus New Harbour.
Private Cape Town Ground Journey
Along the Shaws coordinates private collection, the Cape Town–Hermanus road journey and return around the confirmed supplier departure.
30-Minute Supplier Check-In
Southern Right Charters currently lists 06:30, 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00 departures and requires check-in at The Whale Shack 30 minutes before the confirmed trip.
Sighting Remedy Is Not a Wildlife Promise
No wildlife sighting is guaranteed. The supplier currently publishes a separate remedy if no whales or dolphins are encountered, subject to its terms and third-party booking rules.
All Ages — Supplier Safety Rules Apply
Children 12 and under must wear life jackets throughout and remain supervised. No prams or unaccompanied minors are permitted onboard.
No Wheelchair Access on the Vessel
Southern Right Charters currently requires mobility to board and states that the vessel is not wheelchair accessible. Ground-transport accessibility can be discussed separately.
Compare a Gansbaai Marine Big 5 Day
Choose the Gansbaai Marine Big 5 journey when a broader permitted marine-safari experience is the priority rather than a whale-focused Hermanus day.
Prefer Cape Point & Penguins?
Choose the private Peninsula journey when Cape Point, Boulders Beach and coastal scenery matter more than a supplier-operated whale cruise.
Need a Different Private Wildlife Day?
Use the custom private Cape Town tour when your priorities require a different combination and realistic route planning rather than this seasonal Hermanus structure.
Your journey
Experience overview
Travel privately from Cape Town to Hermanus for a seasonal whale-watching day built around a boat cruise operated by Southern Right Charters from Hermanus New Harbour. Along the Shaws coordinates the Cape Town ground journey and wider itinerary; Southern Right Charters operates the vessel, skipper, marine crew, Whale Specialist Guide, safety briefing and on-water experience.
Southern Right Charters currently publishes daily whale-watching departures at 06:30, 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00, weather permitting, with check-in strictly 30 minutes before departure at The Whale Shack. Cruise duration is not capped to a fixed two hours: the supplier currently states approximately 1½–3 hours depending on travel time to the animals and marine activity, averaging about two hours.
During the cruise, the specialist marine team may encounter southern right whales in season, humpback whales, Bryde’s whales, dolphins, seals and other marine life. These are free-ranging wild animals, so Along the Shaws does not guarantee a species, number of animals or behaviour. Southern Right Charters currently publishes a separate sighting-remedy policy if no whales or dolphins are encountered; for a third-party booking, any applicable remedy is coordinated through the booking party under the supplier’s current terms.
The marine supplier welcomes all ages, but children aged 12 and under must wear life jackets for the full cruise and remain under adult supervision. No prams or strollers are allowed onboard, no unaccompanied minors are permitted, and the supplier requires sufficient mobility to board the vessel; it currently states that there is no wheelchair access.
The Along the Shaws package price is different from the supplier’s standalone marine-ticket price because it combines the confirmed cruise with private Cape Town–Hermanus return ground transport and journey coordination. Supplier rates, departure times and operating conditions are reconfirmed before payment.
The exact transport arrangement, cruise departure, live supplier rate, inclusions, weather terms and cancellation conditions are confirmed in writing before payment.
Ideal for
Experience close encounters with a licensed whale watching operator. Learn about these gentle giants directly from a whale specialist. Explore South Africa's Whale Capital coastline.
Typical itinerary
Subject to availability, weather, supplier arrangements and guest preferences.
Private collection from the confirmed Cape Town hotel, Airbnb, holiday apartment or agreed meeting point. The exact pickup time is set around Southern Right Charters’ confirmed departure and required check-in time.
Private ground journey from Cape Town to Hermanus New Harbour. Travel time depends on the collection area, traffic, road conditions and the confirmed route.
Check in with Southern Right Charters at The Whale Shack, Hermanus New Harbour, and complete the supplier’s on-land introduction and marine-safety briefing.
Southern Right Charters operates the whale-watching cruise with its skipper, marine crew and Whale Specialist Guide. The supplier currently states that trip duration depends on travel time to the whales and marine activity, averaging about two hours. Wildlife sightings remain natural and cannot be guaranteed.
Optional Hermanus lunch, harbour walk or viewpoint time may be included when the confirmed supplier departure and wider day allow. Meals and optional attraction costs are separate unless expressly included.
Private ground journey back to the confirmed Cape Town drop-off point. Clarence Drive or an optional Stony Point stop may be used only when the agreed itinerary, operating conditions and timing make them suitable.
Route notes
Cape Town accommodation → private ground transfer to Hermanus New Harbour → Southern Right Charters check-in and marine-safety briefing → supplier-operated whale-watching cruise, currently approximately 1½–3 hours with an average around 2 hours → optional Hermanus lunch or viewpoint stop when confirmed → private return transfer to Cape Town, with any optional Stony Point stop subject to the agreed itinerary and timing.
Included
- Private ground transport from the confirmed Cape Town collection area to Hermanus and return
- Southern Right Charters whale-watching cruise when confirmed for the booked departure
- Whale Specialist Guide, skipper and marine crew provided by Southern Right Charters
- Ground-journey and supplier-departure coordination by Along the Shaws
- Collection and return at the confirmed Cape Town hotel, Airbnb, holiday apartment or agreed meeting point
Not included
- Lunch and meals unless expressly included in writing
- Optional Hermanus or Stony Point attraction costs unless expressly included
- Southern Right Charters private charter unless separately requested and confirmed
- Professional movie or other supplier extras unless expressly included
- Personal purchases
- Gratuities
Fee information
Meals: Southern Right Charters currently includes hot and cold beverages on the marine cruise but no meals or food. An optional Hermanus lunch or refreshment stop may be coordinated by Along the Shaws and is for the guest’s own account unless expressly included in writing.
Important information
Weather-dependent — Donovan will advise on adjustments.
What to wear: Weather-appropriate clothing and a windbreaker. Sensible footwear (flat shoes are recommended).
Weather alternative: The whale-watching cruise is subject to suitable weather, sea conditions and the marine operator’s safety decision. If the boat trip is delayed or cancelled, Donovan will discuss an alternative date, rescheduling option or suitable itinerary adjustment in line with the supplier’s terms.
Booking notice: Book as early as possible during whale season. Southern Right Charters currently lists 06:30, 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00 departures, weather permitting, and requires check-in at The Whale Shack 30 minutes before the confirmed departure. The Along the Shaws Cape Town collection time is built around that supplier schedule.
Cancellation: Cancellation and rescheduling are governed by the current published Along the Shaws Booking Terms together with any supplier-specific conditions disclosed before payment. Cancellation charges are assessed reasonably case by case; non-refundable supplier costs may apply at any stage.
Book your journey
Select your guests and preferred date to calculate your journey total.
From
Minimum booking: 2 paying guests
Travellers
Adult
Age 13+ · R 3,950 each
Child
Age 4–12 · R 3,950 each · adult rate
Infant
Age 0–3 · Free
Select your preferred date
October 2026
8–10 hours overall; Southern Right Charters cruise approximately 1½–3 hours (average about 2 hours)
Your booking
This journey is subject to supplier, weather or operational confirmation. Payment does not create final booking confirmation. No booking is confirmed until Donovan sends written confirmation.
