Southern Right Whale Watching Season: June to November in Hermanus!
Join Whale Watchers for the Ultimate Ocean Adventure
It’s that time of year again — Hermanus is rolling out the blue carpet for its biggest (and blubbery-est) celebrities: the Southern Right Whales! From June to November, the coastline becomes a live-action nature documentary, and trust us — front-row seats have never looked this good.
If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing a whale breach, tail-slap, or do a little spyhopping (yes, it’s a thing), this is your sign to make it happen. And the best way to experience it?
Quick Facts: Southern Right Whale
Size: Up to 15 meters (49 feet) long
Weight: Up to 60 tons — that’s heavier than 10 elephants!
Lifespan: Around 50–60 years (some live even longer)
Baleen Bosses: They don’t have teeth — they filter-feed with baleen plates
Blowhole Bonus: Their V-shaped blow is a dead giveaway from a distance
No Dorsal Fin: These whales are smooth-backed and proud of it
Nickname: Called “Right” whales because whalers thought they were the right ones to hunt (ugh… thankfully now fully protected!)
Behaviour: Known for breaching, tail-slapping, and coming super close to shore
Babies: Calves are born at around 5–6 meters long — basically the size of a minibus!
Migration: They travel thousands of kilometres from the Antarctic to the South African coast to breed and calve
Season in SA: June to November — peak time for Hermanus whale watching
Whale Watchers: Your Whale-Watching Dream Team
Don’t just see the whales — experience them. Here’s what sets Whale Watchers apart:
🧭 Experienced Skippers & Guides – Whale-whisperers, basically.
🌱 Eco-Conscious Tours – Respectful, responsible, and kind to our ocean friends.
📸 Epic Photo Ops – Breaches, tails, and those classic whale “blowhole selfies.”
✅ High Success Rates – They know where the whales like to hang out (and they’re usually right).
Book Now — Whale Season Is Limited!
Southern Right Whale season only runs June to November, and spots fill up fast — because everyone wants to hang with the whales.
👉 Visit Whale Watchers website for more info and rates
👉 Book your whale watching tour now with Whale Watchers
Why Hermanus?
It’s not just scenic — it’s legendary. Hermanus is known as the whale watching capital of the world, and for good reason. During the Southern Right Whale migration, these gentle giants cruise into Walker Bay to mate, calve, and show off for onlookers.
From cliff paths and oceanfront cafés, you can often spot them right from shore — but nothing compares to the thrill of seeing them up close from the water.
What Happens on a Whale Tour?
You’ll head out from the Hermanus New Harbour on a purpose-built whale watching boat. The ride? Smooth. The views? Stunning. The whales? Often right there, flipping, fluking, and totally stealing the show.
Each tour lasts about 2 hours — but the photos and the memories will last a lifetime. (And yes, your Instagram is going to love this.)
