Whale watching in the Whale Capital of the World: Hermanus

See the Southern Right Whales jump, play, or calve only meters away from the shores of Hermanus near Cape Town

See the Southern Right Whales jump, play, or calve only meters away from the rocky cliffs (klips) and shores of Hermanus near Cape Town: Welcome to South Africa's Whale Watching Capital.

The lovely seaside town of Hermanus in Walker Bay is known best 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 see these magnificent creatures.

From the benches all along the path along the cliffs or the Whale Watching Car Park, for example, whales can be seen frolicking, playing or calving and smelled only 10 meters away!

Southern Right Whales come to South Africa's Walkers Bay between June and December, peak season being from September until November. They enjoy the relatively warm waters for mating, calving, playing, feeding and they give us live entertainment while doing so.

Ever seen those posters of a whale's tail
or a whale jumping out of the ocean in full glory? Welcome to Hermanus: it is like that up close during the Whale Season.

Read all on whale watching, whale watching tours and land based whale watching in our Whale Watching feature.

More Hermanus:
Cities & Suburbs: Hermanus
Selfcatering Accommodation
Hotels near Hermanus: Arabella Kleinmond
Hotels in Hermanus: Misty Waves Boutique Hotel

More to do in and around the water:
Our to do 'on the water' section
Horse Riding on Noordhoek's never ending beach
Seal spotting on a Seal Island Cruise Hout Bay
Great White Shark Cage Diving in 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
.

cherry festival 1Everything you need to know about Ceres ...

Cherry products and picking, foam party & live music as the sun sets

rooikat newSafari getaway just one hour from Cape ...

Beach safaris, game drives & giraffes just steps from your stoep

West Coast Safari 2025Cape Town’s closest land and sea ...

Plus horseback rides, whale-watching, eco-boat & San cultural tours

Ways To Keep Active - Curves on Trails30+ ways to be active without a gym ...

Free and budget-friendly like zumba, karate, yoga & more

mischu 2025 bakerySea Point’s award-winning coffee spot ...

TikTok-worthy cube croissants, crookies & cruffins

Pink Table 2025Sought-after Brutal Fruit Spritzer’s ...

Last event sold out in just 5 minutes. See why

Harringtons Cocktail Lounge District SixFridays at East City's Harrington Street

Bar hop in one building, from happy hour to live music

Escape rooms Cape TownPossibly the best escape room in the ...

The biggest and most realistic escape room in Cape Town

TRIVIA

image description

Our epic 7 Things Weekend Guide shows...

Read More
GiveawaysTravel Tips