Whale watching is one of the most amazing and enthralling experience in a life time. The Southern Coast of Africa specifically in Hermarnus is a hive of activity during the period June to December every year.
The Southern Right Whale, the hump back whale and the Brydes whales visit the African shores for mating and calving. They might not come and depart at the same time but you are assured of them gracing our shores every year as per the demands of nature.
Beautiful Drive to Hermarnus
We depart from Cape Town via the N2 and drive to Hermanus which is one of the coastal town located on the Walker Bay with stunning views of the bay and mountains in the background.
Hermanus is situated on the stunning South Coast of the Western Cape (90 min) from Cape Town and is famous for incredible viewings of these gentle giants. This magnificent coastal town is considered to be the world’s premier whale watching site and thousands flock to Hermanus during the whale season to catch the sight of these intelligent creatures.
Whale watching – boat based (optional).
You must be at the new harbour 30 min before departure for checking-in and safety briefing. Departure times a 09:00hrs, 12:00 and 15:00hrs from the harbour. On getting to the new harbour you take a boat ride out at sea for probably once in a lifetime experience.
You then depart from the harbour aboard a purpose-built comfortable boat where from you can catch sight of these amazing creatures at unbelievably close range. On board will be friendly, highly qualified, knowledgeable and experienced crew members who will take you through all the proceedings.
The whale specialist guide will provide all the necessary information, guide, and also interpret the marine life encountered along the way. He will also explain the behaviour of the whales while you are watching them in action.
Meanwhile the videographer will be busy putting everything on the video making sure that the best action is not left in the ocean.
The whales love and enjoy playing. They are known to manouvre their flukes (tails) to catch the prevailing wind and “sail” along in the water just for the fun of it. They also love to breach (jumping out of water and crashing back down into the sea with an almighty splash).
The trip out of sea normally take about 2hrs all depends on how soon you encounter these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Then one head back to the crew house at the harbour.
There you can obtain a great souvenir-movie of year trip which was captured by the videographer.
Wine tasting
After whale watching we head back to Cape town via a wine Estate where you can have lunch and sip down the day’s experience in stunning views of the walker Bay-with a glass of wine
African Penguin-stony point nature reserve.
We now head to stony point nature reserve, located on the quaint coastal town of Betty’s bay; the Overberg. This nature reserve is home to a unique colony of the African penguins. You can catch a view of these flightless birds up close via the board walk through the colony in their natural habitat without disturbing or disrupting them.
Within the nature reserve are three species of cormorant namely the crowned cormorant, cape cormorant and the black cormorant all of which breed on the outer rocks.
The rock hyrax popularly known as the Dassie, the Hartlaub Gulls and the Kelp Gulls also found in the nature reserve.
Pringle Bay
The bay is named after Rear-Admiral Thomas Pringle, of the Royal Navy, who commanded the naval station of the Cape in the late 1970s.
In Afrikaans Pringlebaai is a small coastal town with an estimated population of just over 1600 habitats in the Overberg region of the Western Cape. It is situated at the foot of the Hangklip overlooking the False Bay from Cape Point and is a UNESCO Heritage site (the town and surroundings are part of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve).
Pringle Bay is situated between Betty’s bay and Gordon’s Bay and most of the houses within the small community are used as holiday homes by the owners.
Clarence drive (R44)
Clarence drive is one of the most scenic drive in the world stretching for just over 48km between Gordon’s Bay and Kleinmond. Steep majestic mountains meet beautiful Blue Ocean and the results simply jaw dropping.
With many viewing points along this scenic drive you can pull over and take great photos or simply sit and take in the outstanding views. This magical scenery is also home to the ever famous chacma Baboons are prepared to pause for a great photos anytime anywhere.
This is no doubt one of the most scenic drives in South Africa and is well worth the effort. If you like passes with lots of corners, this one is for you, as it has 77 curves and corners of which 4 are in excess of 150 degrees
The road surface is in a great condition and attracts tourists, locals, bikers and cyclists in their droves.
Word of caution please stick to the speed limit and overtaking is limited. Be careful to not be in an accident as you drive and gaze at the strikingly impressive scenery.
At the end of R44 we join the N2 and head back to cape Town.
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | Cape Town/ Your Hotel Room | ||||
| DEPARTURE TIME | 8.00am – 8:30am | ||||
| RETURN TIME | 5.30pm | ||||
| INCLUDED |
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| NOT INCLUDED |
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Land based whale watching
Boat based whale watching (optional)
Wine tasting
Penguin – Story Point Betty’s Bay
Scenic drive Pringle bay
Gordon’s Bay
Terms and conditions
- Arrival time is 30 minutes prior to departure time, as we have an on-land briefing prior the trip.
- Confirmed bookings will be released and can be sold on if you have not arrived 15 minutes prior to departure, so please call to let us know if you are running late. (Cancellation terms apply)
- Our permit entitles us to approach the whales up to 50m and then we stop to observe, it is then up to the whales to approach closer. Being naturally curious, the whales often come right up to the boat. It is definitely ‘a magical experience to be treasured’.
- There is no age restriction but adult supervision is a must and it is regulation for all children under 12 years old to wear a life jacket at all times. If you child is an infant, chat to us prior to your trip about what is best to bring a long and life jacket sizing.
Tour Reviews
Our first booking had to be rescheduled due to bad weather. However, the day of the rescheduled booking had fantastic weather and the whales were playful coming very right close to our boat. This surely was the major highlight of my trip to Cape Town, South Africa. Thank you team Raw Tours.
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