• Cape Town Central - Guests will be collected from their hotel in Cape Town between 6:00 am and 6:30 am for a transfer to Hermanus to enjoy a whale watching boat excursion.

As you depart Cape Town and head east towards Hermanus, the scenery swiftly transforms from urban skyline to majestic peaks. Approximately an hour and a half into the journey, the road ascends into the Hottentots Holland Mountains, a rugged rock formation rising about 1,000 meters above sea level.

Formed over more than 100 million years as ancient tectonic plates collided and folded the earth’s crust, this part of the Cape Fold Belt offers some of the most breathtaking views in the region. The route winds along Sir Lowry’s Pass, a stunning mountain road that unveils sweeping vistas of valleys, vineyards, and the distant ocean as you enter the expansive spaces of the Overberg.

• Grabouw - A lush valley town nestled beneath South Africa’s Hottentots-Holland Mountains, established in the late 19th century, began as a rural farming community influenced by fruit pioneers and Dutch, British, and Cape Colony cultures. Its name likely originates from the Khoi word “Grabouw” or settlers’ adaptation; the town expanded rapidly after the railway’s arrival and the growth of large fruit farms and packhouses. By the 20th century, Grabouw had become the heart of South Africa’s deciduous-fruit industry, particularly apples and pears, and later a major center for premium apple exports.
• Houwhoek Pass - A dramatic mountain pass and valley on the Overberg-Cape winelands edge, has long been a natural gateway between the coastal plain and the fertile inland valleys. For generations, it served as a travel and trade route for local Khoi communities and later colonial farmers, drovers, and transporters moving produce and livestock between the coast and the hinterland. Over time, the old track became a formal road, and a string of farms, inns, and service points emerged where travelers paused to rest and replenish.
• Hermanus - Situated on the rugged southern coast of South Africa, Hermanus began as a modest 19th-century fishing settlement named after local resident Hermanus Pieters. The town quietly developed around its natural harbor, but its global fame arrived with the whales. In the early 20th century, locals realized southern right whales were returning to the nearby bays to calve—often so close to shore they could be observed from clifftops.
  Before setting sail, guests will gather on the jetty for a focused 20-minute introduction to the experience ahead. The crew will go through essential safety procedures, then hand over to the on-board marine biologist, who vividly brings the world of whales to life.
  Although the vessel is licensed to carry around 80 passengers, numbers are deliberately limited to about 65 to ensure more space, better views, and a calmer, more premium experience.
• Hermanus - After disembarking the boat, guests can choose between the call of the ocean or the vineyards. Stay by the sea and enjoy fresh seafood at a waterfront restaurant in Hermanus (own account), with waves breaking just beyond the table. Alternatively, venture inland to the vine-draped Hemel-en-Aarde Valley—“Heaven and Earth” in name and scenery—for a leisurely cellar-door lunch paired with cool-climate wines. To secure the best views and vintages, it is strongly recommended to pre-book sought-after estates such as Creation Wine Estate or Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate.
• Stony Point Penguin Colony - After a leisurely lunch, the adventure continues along the renowned R44 Whale Coast Route back towards Cape Town. Following the shoreline, the road leads to the tranquil village of Betty’s Bay, home to the remarkable Stony Point Nature Reserve. Here, on the rocks just meters from the crashing surf, visitors will encounter one of only two mainland African penguin colonies in all of South Africa—a rare and unforgettable sight.
• Cape Town - Reluctantly leaving the penguins behind, guests rejoin the R44 and follow the coastline all the way back to Cape Town, exchanging mountain passes for endless ocean views. The road threads through once-bustling whaling outposts such as Kleinmond, Pringle Bay, Rooi-Els, and Gordon’s Bay, now laid-back seaside villages with a haunting maritime history dating back to before whaling was banned in the 1930s. As the sun sets over False Bay, guests will be returned to their chosen drop-off point in Cape Town, bringing a richly textured and unforgettable day to a gentle close.

• Entrance Fees to Stony Point Penguins Colony
• Whale Watching Boat Trip
• Bottled water onboard the vehicle
• Private tour guide/driver, vehicle and fuel
• Hotel Pick up and Drop off

• All Meals and Drinks
• Gratuities
• Creation Wine Tasting fees R60 Per Wine
• Benguela Cove

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.