Hermanus

Whale-watching and Shark Diving

Although Hermanus is great for land-based whale-watching, you get a different perspective on a boat trip into Walker Bay. Boats leave on 2½-hour whale-watching trips (around R900) from both Hermanus and Gansbaai. Dyer Island Cruises is a good bet for whale-watching. 082/801-8014. www.dyer-island-cruises.co.za.

Shark diving is extremely popular (even Brad Pitt took the plunge), and Gansbaai has a number of operators working from the small harbor, including White Shark Diving Company. A 4½-hour trip (with plenty of adrenaline) costs around R1,000, including breakfast and snacks on the boat. If you don't want to take the plunge (which you do in a cage, to keep you safe from the sharks), you can just stay in the boat and watch the sharks from the deck. 082/559-6858.

More Sports and Outdoors

• Boating
• Kayaking

• Whale-watching and Shark Diving