Gansbaai

Plan for temperate water. The sea is typically around 15°C in mid-winter and around 20°C in late summer, with day-to-day variation from wind-driven upwelling. Most visitors are happiest in a 5mm to 7mm wetsuit, plus booties, and often a hood for longer sessions. For boat activities, add a windproof layer because spray and wind chill can make you feel colder than the water temperature alone suggests.

The simplest route is to fly into Cape Town International (CPT) and drive about 160 km via the N2 and R43 past Hermanus and Stanford. A rental car is the most flexible option because activities, viewpoints, and reserve gates are spread out. If you prefer not to drive, private transfers and small group tours operate along the Whale Coast corridor, but you will have less freedom for sunrise whale watching, reserve visits, and rescheduling boat trips when weather changes.

De Kelders is the signature area for land-based whale watching near Gansbaai, with cliff paths and viewpoints over Walker Bay. Walker Bay Nature Reserve also offers long shoreline views and quieter beach walks, while Hermanus has a longer developed cliff path with cafes and galleries nearby. Bring binoculars and plan for wind. In peak months (August to October) whales can come close to shore, so even a short walk can produce excellent sightings.

Start by confirming the operator is permitted under South Africa's Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) framework for white shark cage diving and boat-based whale watching. A responsible operator will provide a clear safety briefing, enforce no-touch rules, manage bait and chum professionally, and keep hands inside the cage at all times. They should also talk about conservation, weather decision-making, and refund or reschedule policies. Avoid any provider that encourages harassment, feeding, or unsafe breath-hold behavior.

Yes, but choose the right setting. For beginners, start in tidal pools (for example around Franskraal) where you can stand, exit easily, and avoid surge. The open coastline can have strong shore break and slippery rock entries, so do not treat it like a tropical lagoon. Wear a wetsuit for 15°C to 20°C water and use booties for grip. If conditions look rough, switch to cliff walks, caves, or a boat-based wildlife cruise instead of forcing a snorkel.

Two rulesets stand out. First, Walker Bay functions as a whale sanctuary Marine Protected Area in peak season, which limits disturbance and supports breeding and calving whales. Second, De Hoop is a strict no-take Marine Protected Area where fishing and removing or disturbing marine organisms are prohibited along the protected coast. In practice: follow skipper instructions on approach distances, do not collect shells or animals, and avoid any tour that encourages touching wildlife. If you are unsure, ask before you enter the water.

A solid first visit is 3 days and 2 nights. That is enough for one shark cage dive morning, one full land-based whale watching and reserve day, and one flexible day for weather or a road trip to Hermanus wine country. If whales are a priority (June to December), 4 to 5 days is better because it gives you more chances to catch calm boat windows. Shorter trips can work, but you need to accept that swell or wind may cancel your highest-priority activity.

Think of Gansbaai as a wildlife-first base with some adventurous temperate diving potential, while Cape Town has deeper scuba infrastructure and a larger menu of guided dive sites and wrecks. Around Gansbaai you should expect kelp forests, surge, and weather-dependent windows, plus the ability to stack dives with sharks and whale viewing. Many divers get the best of both by splitting the trip: a few days in Cape Town for classic kelp and wrecks, then Gansbaai for Shark Alley, De Kelders, and Whale Coast road trips.