South Africa means safaris, lions, elephants, rhinos… and whales! According to the global organization WWF, this country has one of the 12 best whale-watching sites in Hermanus. Throughout the year, and particularly from June to November, cetaceans perform a ballet in the shallow waters off the South African coast.
Focus on the village of Hermanus
A small coastal village 120 km east of Cape Town, Hermanus is the place to be to admire the dance of the world’s largest marine mammal. Its coastal footpaths are the perfect place to observe them. Don’t forget your binoculars and camera.
In this small seaside town, tranquility gives way to the hustle and bustle of tourists and marine animal enthusiasts as soon as whale season arrives.
Whale season in Hermanus
From June to December, the whales make a stop on their migratory journey, taking advantage of the shallow waters off the Hermanus coast to breed or give birth.
For a few months, the mothers let the calves acclimatize to this new environment, before the newborns reach maturity and set sail for Antarctica.
Where to see whales in Hermanus?
Marked trails…
For whale-watching, we recommend the beaches of Walker’s Bay and Siever’s Point. Here, you can watch the whales leap with your feet in the sand, sometimes even with a glass of South African Sauvignon in hand.
Take a stroll along the Hermanus waterfront promenade, and you’ll have a breathtaking view of the entire bay. Keep your eyes wide open, but above all, listen out for the sound of a horn. It sounds each time the whale crier locates the areas in which the whales are located. If you follow his instructions, you’ll have an extra chance of catching a glimpse of the whales.
A good indicator is visitors pointing to the horizon, but also to the birds! Gulls and other seabirds like to gather above the whales.
… or boat cruises!
It’s also possible to go out to sea with an organization to get closer to them on a cruise, while obviously keeping a certain distance so as not to disturb their activity. At SAT, we work with partners for whom respect for animals comes first.
For those who want to get up close and personal with these marine giants, we suggest boarding the Southern Right Charter for a whale watching cruise lasting around 2 hours. Curious by nature, the cetaceans won’t hesitate to approach the boat. An intense moment you won’t soon forget.
Not just whales…
In this little whale paradise, you may also come across dolphins and seals. Keep your eyes wide open and look all around you to make sure you don’t miss out on this extraordinary marine biodiversity.
Defending marine life in Hermanus
The Hermanus waters are also home to a colony of Cape penguins, a precious species that is under serious threat from the invasion of their environment by human activity and the unregulated consumption of their eggs.
Hermanus is home to a number of marine wildlife conservation organizations, including the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, which focuses on African penguins, whales and the Great White Shark. During your stay, you can visit their center to find out more about them.
Did you know?
- Whales are curious and playful marine animals.
- Their brains are 7 times heavier than a human’s.
- Calves are born after an 11-month gestation period and weigh around 1,500 kilos at birth.
- Calves feed on around 600 liters of milk a day and gain 100 kilos daily.
- Whales have lungs the size of a small car.
- They can measure up to 16 meters in length and weigh as much as 11 elephants.
- To attract a mate, males make love songs that turn out to be the most complicated and longest of all marine animals. All without vocal cords.
- Every year, the whales rest in Harvey Bay, Australia, before making the 10,000-kilometer journey to Antarctica.
- Their tail is a unique mark, like a human fingerprint.
Plan your trip to Hermanus
At South African Travellers, we tailor-make your trip to South Africa. Add a stop on the Garden Route and Hermanus to observe the ballet of our favorite cetaceans. Pssst…. the opportunity to tell you more about our secret spots.
Discover our favorite itineraries in South Africa :
