The Hermanus Whale Festival, the only Enviro-Arts festival in South Africa, is held annually to celebrate the return of the Southern Right whales to the waters of Walker Bay, our magnificent environment and the arrival of Spring!

Hermanus, known as the best land-based whale watching destination in the world, plays host to thousands of visitors who flock to the seaside resort to exhilarate in the unique natural environment, watch whales, join in the world’s only Welcome Whales Wave and revel in music, comedy, cabaret and African rhythms every night during the Festival.

The whales are always the star performers at the Festival and will be joined on land by musicians, crafters, sports celebrities and thousands of people celebrating Spring in the most beautiful place on earth – Hermanus.

Hermanus is the only place in the world to have its own whale crier.

So when you encounter a guy with a funny feather in his hat, patrolling the streets and blowing a weird looking kelp horn, don't think that you have encountered one of Robin Hood's merry men, it is the whale crier alerting everyone to the whereabouts of the whales. The feather, incidentally, is a whale tail.

The Whale Crier does his rounds along the coastline between 10:00 and 16:00 from June to December. He is always willing to answer questions, give interviews and allow tourists to photograph him when he lifts his kelp horn and the now famous sound reverberates through the streets of Hermanus.

2008 Hermanus Whale Festival

Date: 21 – 29 September 2008
Location: Hermanus & surrounds
Events: more information on events coming soon.

Molo says: “On the east side of Walker Bay, 15 kilometers outside Hermanus, sits De Kelders: A hidden gem, not well-known by tourists, but a favourite whale watching spot amongst locals."

Along its coastline you'll find kilometers of hiking trails and even hidden caves, from where you will have en excellent view of the playing whales. Also read more about Whale Watching tours in Hermanus.

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