The lovely seaside town of Hermanus outside Cape Town, is best known for one thing - whale watching. It claims to have the "best shore-based whale watching in the world", so it shouldn't come as a surprise that nature lovers from all around the world visit Hermanus to sneak a peek at these magnificent creatures.

Visitors to Hermanus have the unique opportunity to sit on a bench at one of the town's whale watching lookout points, or venture down one of the many winding seaside paths, and watch as Southern Right Whales jump, frolick or calve as little as ten metres away.

Southern Right Whales come to South Africa's Walkers Bay between June and December (peak season being from September until November). They move to the relatively warm waters next to Hermanus to mate, calve, play and provide visitors and locals alike with live entertainment while doing so.

For expert information on these creatures, you can take a walk with the town's "Whale Crier" between 11.00 am and 12.00 pm every day (departing from the Whale Watching Car Park) and watch the whale crier alert the town when he spots a whale by blowing on his kelp horn.

Two companies in Hermanus also offer boat-based whale-watching tours for those who want to come even closer to the world's largest mammal. Both companies are located at the New Harbour, on the outskirts of town.

A whale watching hotline provides visitors who wish to travel to Hermanus and environs with up to the minute information on the whereabouts of whales.

You can also phone the whale crier directly, upon your arrival in Hermanus. Wilson Salukazana is the whale crier. Ask the local tourism office for the number.

Once a year in September, thousands of enthusiastic visitors come to Hermanus for the Hermanus Whale Festival. Live music, art exhibitions, colourful stalls and food stands as well as the proximity of the whales make for another good reason to visit Hermanus in spring.

Getting There: Drive to Hermanus via the R44 Coastal road; it's one of South Africa's most beautiful scenic drives and many international car adverts are shot here for this very reason.


Molo's Tip: 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. Drive even further to go to the sleepy town, Great White Shark Capital Gansbaai.


2007 Whale Festival Hermanus
Whale Festival Hermanus 2007, the Total Whale Half Marathon in Hermanus, the Whale Festival Classic Golf Tournament at Arabella and Hermanus Golf Courses and the
Boule Tournament at the Marine Hotel in Hermanus.

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