Hermanus or Gansbaai – Which is best for boat based whale watching?

Hermanus or Gansbaai - Which is best for Whale Watching?

Hermaus or Gansbaai - This question has been asked for many years!

Answer is simple - Gansbaai / De Kelders is the True Gem and the best place for Whale Watching in South Africa.

Although there is no doubt Hermanus has gained the "Title" Best Whale Watching Location in the world!

Ask anyone that lives locally to the two towns and they will say "Go to De Kelders - Coffee on the Rocks" this is the best place to see the whales.

This is the view from Coffee on the Rocks and Hermanus is on the top left where the coast runs out the photo.

Hermanus or Gansbaai - Whale Watching - The two towns are only 40kms apart, but what difference does that really make?

• It has been scientifically proven year on year that Gansbaai carries the highest volume of visiting whales over season.
• The reason why Gansbaai / De Kelders is the best location and if one could get this in writing from a Whale.
• The mother whale would explain the shore line provides far more safety for her new born.
• The water is shallow with a sandy beach that would allow her to push her calf almost out the water.
• She would only take this action should she feel threatened and the need to get her calf away from a predator.
• Its a natural instinct for the mother to put herself between any threat.
• The sand beach provides protection from the other side.
• This is why a Marine Protected area was placed in-front of De Kelders.
• Many years back the scientist's that did all the research on whale approach, requested this area.
• The Whales never get disturbed by any boat or Human while in the MPA.
• This allows the time required for the calf to fatten up to make the journey back to the antarctic.
• At the time of writing this post it can take up to an hour to travel between the two towns.
• There is currently road improvements with dual lanes being laid to improve the travel time to about 20mins.

Best Whale Watching Location is Gansbaai, however the best viewing is also dependent on many factors and opinions.

• Hermanus carries much more foot traffic.
• The Hermanus boats are larger and more commercialised.
• They have to be bigger to deal with the larger volume of people.
• One of the larger boats can take up to 90 passengers at a time.
• Hermanus boats can go out in more unsettled water conditions.
• Rough waters generally means reduced viewing experience.
• The Larger boat sizes are bigger than the whale and if the approach isn't perfect it may intimidate the whale to move away.
• Permitted Whale Boat Operators are not allowed to chase the Whales.
• More passengers means less personal interaction with the crew, and more jostling for position to view the whales.
• Often the Hermanus boats have to travel across the bay towards Gansbaai, meaning more boat travel time to the whales, can lead to reduced viewing time with the whales.
• However you might feel more comfortable and safe on a larger boat.

Ivanhoe Sea Safaris Provides the Best Whale Watching by boat in the Hermanus/Gansbaai area of Walker Bay, this is why Ivanhoe is now in Trip Advisors "Hall of Fame" please feel free to read our reviews.

• MAKE THE EXTRA EFFORT - Take a scenic drive via the quaint village of Stanford to Gansbaai, and have more viewing time at sea with the whales.
• We only take out 25 guests.
• You have the Freedom to move around the boat to see the whales.
• We have 4 extremely knowledgeable crew to 25 guests.
• 2 Skippers 30+ Years.
• 1 Studying Zoologist 6yrs.
• M. Sc. Ph D 15yrs.
• Total 81 years Experience.
• We also have more whales our side of the bay.

Ivanhoe Sea Safaris Provides the Best Whale Watching by boat in the Hermanus/Gansbaai area of Walker Bay, this is why Ivanhoe is now in Trip Advisors "Hall of Fame" please feel free to read our reviews.

To make an On-Line Booking Click Here!