3 Day Whale Watching Tour

Guests are met at their chosen location in Cape Town and travel to Hermanus via the scenic R44 coastal route, passing viewpoints near Rooi Els and Betty’s Bay before continuing through the Overberg. The drive is part of the experience, with frequent stops for photographs and fresh ocean air, and the chance to appreciate the dramatic meeting of mountains and sea along this coastline. Near the Bot River Lagoon, your guide can explain why this estuarine system is important for birdlife and coastal ecology, before continuing toward Hermanus for check-in at Auberge Burgundy.

After settling in, time is devoted to exploring the famous cliff path, one of the best places for land-based whale watching in season, with opportunities to spot southern right whales, dolphins, and seals from the shoreline. Your guide will help interpret marine behavior and point out the best vantage points depending on conditions. The afternoon remains relaxed and flexible—enjoy the beachfront atmosphere, browse local shops, or simply unwind before dinner, ready for a full day on the Whale Coast tomorrow.

After breakfast, the morning includes a visit to the Old Harbour Museum in Hermanus, where exhibits and displays provide a useful introduction to local marine life and the whales that frequent Walker Bay. This stop adds context for the rest of the tour, helping guests understand migration patterns and what to look for when scanning the bay. The remainder of the late morning can be spent at leisure on the promenade or continuing along the cliff path, where your guide can recommend the best lookouts based on the day’s visibility and sea conditions.

In the afternoon, a whale-watching cruise in Walker Bay is scheduled with a licensed operator. The boat-based experience complements the earlier land-based viewing and can offer closer sightings of whales as well as dolphins, seabirds, and seals. After the cruise, you return to Hermanus and your accommodation for a relaxed evening. Timing can be adjusted around sea conditions and operator schedules, but the goal remains the same: maximize safe, responsible viewing while enjoying the beauty of the Overberg coastline.

After breakfast, you travel a short distance into the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley for a visit to Hamilton Russell Vineyards, renowned for its cool-climate focus on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The tasting and discussion provide insight into how maritime influence, soils, and careful viticulture shape the wines produced here. From the valley you begin the return journey toward Cape Town, passing through the surrounding agricultural regions around Elgin and Grabouw, which are known for apple orchards and rolling mountain scenery.

The drive continues over Sir Lowry’s Pass through the Hottentots-Holland Mountains, with scenic views toward Somerset West and False Bay as you descend. Your guide will keep the route comfortable and can include brief photo stops where safe and suitable. The tour concludes with a drop-off in Cape Town, including Cape Town International Airport for departing flights, bringing a memorable Whale Coast experience to an end.