THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Board a purpose-built catamaran at Hermanus New Harbour and watch Southern Right whales breach, nurse, and play in Walker Bay. This two-hour tour combines expert narration with close, responsible viewing during the June–December season.
Board a purpose-built catamaran at Hermanus New Harbour and watch Southern Right whales breach, nurse, and play in Walker Bay. This two-hour tour combines expert narration with close, responsible viewing during the June–December season.
You step onto the creak of the jetty and salt air pulls at your jacket. The catamaran waits in Hermanus New Harbour, engines low and hull steady, while the sea beyond Walker Bay rolls in slow, purposeful swells. Guides scan the horizon; the water answers with blows and flukes — whales that have learned these bays are safe.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Southern Right Charters · Hermanus, Western Cape
You step onto the creak of the jetty and salt air pulls at your jacket. The catamaran waits in Hermanus New Harbour, engines low and hull steady, while the sea beyond Walker Bay rolls in slow, purposeful swells. Guides scan the horizon; the water answers with blows and flukes — whales that have learned these bays are safe.
Walker Bay’s steep coastal terraces and exposed sandstone cliffs frame a marine theater shaped by the Benguela upwelling and the long coastline of the Cape Fold Belt. Hermanus has a layered history: a 19th-century fishing and shore-whaling past transformed by conservation that helped bring Southern Right whales back to breed here. The town itself evolved from a fishing village into a watching point with cliff paths and a calendar of local whale festivals.
On board, a whale specialist interprets behavior — the slow tail-slaps, the curious approaches, the mothers and calves — while a videographer captures the moments you’ll replay later. Seabirds ride the same currents that deliver sardines and krill; seals and occasional dolphins join the performance.
Practical guidance: tours run mainly June–December when Southern Rights are most abundant, and trips are typically two hours including briefing. Mornings are calmer; dress in layers and bring a windproof, sunscreen, and binoculars. If you get seasick, take medication before boarding. Children under 12 will wear life jackets provided by the crew. Expect comfortable viewing from the purpose-built catamaran, but briefings and respectful distance rules keep encounters safe for whales and passengers alike.
No—wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but June–December is the peak season for Southern Right whales and sightings are frequent.
Yes; all ages welcome. Children under 12 must wear a life jacket, which is provided by the operator.
Skippers follow regulations and best-practice guidelines to keep a respectful distance; animals control proximity and guides prioritize welfare over photos.
Trips may be canceled for bad weather; the provider offers a full refund if canceled at least 24 hours prior or for weather-related cancellations.
Southern Right Charters operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You step onto the creak of the jetty and salt air pulls at your jacket. The catamaran waits in Hermanus New Harbour, engines low and hull steady, while the sea beyond Walker Bay rolls in slow, purposeful swells. Guides scan the horizon; the water answers with blows and flukes — whales that have learned these bays are safe.
You step onto the creak of the jetty and salt air pulls at your jacket. The catamaran waits in Hermanus New Harbour, engines low and hull steady, while the sea beyond Walker Bay rolls in slow, purposeful swells. Guides scan the horizon; the water answers with blows and flukes — whales that have learned these bays are safe.
Walker Bay’s steep coastal terraces and exposed sandstone cliffs frame a marine theater shaped by the Benguela upwelling and the long coastline of the Cape Fold Belt. Hermanus has a layered history: a 19th-century fishing and shore-whaling past transformed by conservation that helped bring Southern Right whales back to breed here. The town itself evolved from a fishing village into a watching point with cliff paths and a calendar of local whale festivals.
On board, a whale specialist interprets behavior — the slow tail-slaps, the curious approaches, the mothers and calves — while a videographer captures the moments you’ll replay later. Seabirds ride the same currents that deliver sardines and krill; seals and occasional dolphins join the performance.
Practical guidance: tours run mainly June–December when Southern Rights are most abundant, and trips are typically two hours including briefing. Mornings are calmer; dress in layers and bring a windproof, sunscreen, and binoculars. If you get seasick, take medication before boarding. Children under 12 will wear life jackets provided by the crew. Expect comfortable viewing from the purpose-built catamaran, but briefings and respectful distance rules keep encounters safe for whales and passengers alike.