Whale Watching in Hermanus - Hermanus, South Africa The Complete Guide.
The number one reason to visit Hermanus is to catch a glimpse of the southern right whales that populate Walker Bay from June to early December. The whales migrate annually to South Africa’s Cape Whale Coast from their feeding grounds in Antarctica, and spend their time here mating, calving, and raising their young. The Hermanus Cliff Path and Gearing’s Point both provide elevated vantage points where spectators watch as whales play just a few hundred feet from shore. The town even has its own Whale Crier, who alerts locals and tourists whenever a whale is spotted by blowing into a kelp horn. .
Land-based whale watching is both rewarding and free, but if you want to get even closer to the whales it’s worth paying for a boat tour with a licensed company like Southern Right Charters. As well as the southern right whales, you’ll also have the opportunity to look for other South African marine life including humpback and Bryde’s whales, two species of dolphin, Cape fur seals, and the endangered African penguin. Aerial whale watching is another unforgettable option. .
Every September, the Hermanus Whale Festival celebrates the town’s most famous residents with three days of environmental talks, film presentations, beach clean-ups, street parades, food stalls, and performers. There are also plenty of fun activities for kids, including the Pirates & Mermaids Treasure Hunt. If your visit doesn’t coincide with the festival, you can learn more about the whales and the whaling industry that once operated out of nearby Betty’s Bay either at the Old Harbour Museum or the Whale House Museum. The latter includes a full-size southern right whale skeleton. .
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