One of the world’s great wildlife experiences is happening just outside your door. Here is everything you need to know.
They come back every year, without fail.
From June through November, Southern Right Whales migrate along the Western Cape coastline, arriving in the warm, sheltered waters of Walker Bay to mate and calve before returning to their Antarctic feeding grounds. It is one of the most extraordinary wildlife events on earth, and for guests staying in Camps Bay, it unfolds within a two-hour drive of the front door.
This guide covers everything you need to plan your whale watching experience: when to go, where to go, how to get there, and what to expect when you do.
Understanding the Season
The official whale watching season runs from June to November, with the peak period falling in September and October. Sightings are possible throughout the season, and even a June or July trip to Hermanus will often produce memorable encounters.
| Month | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| June | Bulls arrive first as the season opens |
| July | Numbers building steadily, quieter than peak months |
| August | Females arrive, sightings become more frequent |
| September | Peak season, mothers and calves often seen close to shore |
| October | Peak season continues, Hermanus Whale Festival takes place 2-4 October |
| November | Season winds down, later sightings still possible |
If you are planning a trip specifically around whale watching, September is the month most likely to reward you.
Hermanus: The World’s Best Land-Based Whale Watching
Hermanus has earned a global reputation as the finest land-based whale watching destination on the planet. The cliff paths that run along Walker Bay offer uninterrupted views directly into the bay, and on a good day, whales surface close enough to the shore that binoculars are optional rather than essential.
The town itself is charming, with excellent restaurants, a vibrant market, and an atmosphere that makes it easy to spend a full day rather than just a morning. From Camps Bay, Hermanus is approximately a two-hour drive along one of the more scenic routes in the Western Cape.
Land-Based Watching: The Cliff Path
The cliff path that runs through Hermanus is one of the most celebrated whale-watching vantage points in the world. Stretching for several kilometres along the Walker Bay coastline, the path offers viewpoints at different heights and angles, with whales frequently surfacing close enough to the shore to observe their behaviour in remarkable detail.
Gearing’s Point and the area around the Old Harbour are particularly good spots. Arrive in the morning when the light is flat and the whales tend to be most active. Bring layers as the wind off the Atlantic can be considerable even on otherwise warm days.
Entry to the cliff path is free. Parking in town fills up during peak season, so arriving early is advisable.
Boat-Based Whale Watching from Hermanus
For a closer encounter, boat-based tours depart from the New Harbour in Hermanus throughout the season. A typical trip lasts around two hours, taking guests into Walker Bay for close encounters with Southern Right Whales, Humpbacks, and the Marine Big 5, which includes dolphins, seals, penguins, and seabirds.
Several licensed operators run tours from the New Harbour. Hermanus Whale Watchers and Southern Right Charters are both well-regarded, with purpose-built catamarans designed for stability and 360-degree viewing. Prices are typically from around R1,020 per adult and R510 per child under 12, though we recommend confirming current rates directly when booking.
Book in advance during September and October. Tours fill up quickly during peak season and are weather dependent, so allow flexibility in your itinerary and confirm on the morning of your trip.
Boat-Based Whale Watching from Cape Town
If you would prefer to stay closer to Camps Bay, boat-based whale watching tours also depart from Cape Town, heading out toward Walker Bay for encounters with Southern Right Whales, dolphins, and seals. Group sizes on Cape Town departures are typically smaller, often capped at around eight guests, which makes for a more personal experience.
Tours generally include a scenic drive along the Clarens Drive coastal route as part of the journey. Pickup from your accommodation can often be arranged. Please confirm operator details and current departure points when booking, as these vary by provider.
The Hermanus Whale Festival
Each year in early October, Hermanus hosts what is recognised as the world’s only Eco-Marine Festival. The Hermanus Whale Festival 2026 takes place from 2 to 4 October, transforming the town into a celebration of ocean life, conservation, local culture, and live entertainment.
The festival is free to attend for most activities, including the street parade, eco-village, and markets. Some specific events and marquees may require tickets. The cliff paths and bay are at their most animated during festival weekend, with whales often providing their own spectacle alongside the events on shore.
If you are planning to visit Hermanus during the festival, we recommend booking your accommodation and any boat trips well in advance. The town draws significant visitor numbers during this period.
What to Pack and What to Expect
Layers are essential. The Atlantic is cooler than the shore, and the cliff paths can be exposed to wind even on otherwise mild days. A waterproof outer layer is advisable regardless of the forecast.
For boat trips, seasickness tablets are worth taking if you are at all susceptible. Pharmacies in Hermanus stock them, and taking one the evening before as well as on the morning of the trip makes a considerable difference.
A camera with zoom capability will serve you well on both the cliff paths and on the water. That said, there are moments when the experience of simply watching is worth more than the photograph.
Southern Right Whales are known for breaching, lobtailing, and approaching boats with curiosity. Every trip is different. The best sightings are entirely unpredictable, which is part of what makes the experience so memorable.
Your Base for the Season
Staying in Camps Bay puts the entire whale watching season within easy reach. Hermanus is a two-hour drive along the Atlantic Seaboard and over the mountain passes of the Overberg, passing through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Western Cape. Cape Town boat departures are even closer, and dolphins and the occasional whale can be spotted from Camps Bay itself during the season, more info in our local attractions guide.
The Bliss Collection offers a curated portfolio of luxury apartments and villas in Camps Bay, each chosen for its design, its location, and the quality of stay it makes possible. Private chefs, wine estate arrangements, luxury transfers, and in-villa wellness treatments can all be coordinated on your behalf.
A morning at Hermanus, an afternoon back on the terrace with the Atlantic directly ahead. For a stay where the balcony view is part of the experience, our newest addition, Sapphire Tide Penthouse in Bakoven, is a particularly fitting base for the season.
September and October in Camps Bay, done properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to see whales near Cape Town? September and October are peak season, when mothers and calves are most often seen close to shore in Walker Bay. The season overall runs from June to November.
Is Hermanus worth a day trip from Camps Bay? Yes. Hermanus is approximately a two-hour drive from Camps Bay and offers some of the best land-based whale watching in the world, easily done as a full day trip with time for lunch and the cliff path.
Can you see whales from Camps Bay itself? Occasionally. While Hermanus and Walker Bay offer far more reliable and closer sightings, Southern Right Whales and dolphins can sometimes be spotted from the Camps Bay coastline during migration season.
Do you need to book whale watching tours in advance? Yes, particularly during September and October. Boat-based tours from both Hermanus and Cape Town fill up quickly in peak season and are weather dependent, so booking ahead with flexibility built into your itinerary is recommended.
Enquire for September and October availability at The Bliss Collection.
