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Having a whale of a time in Hermanus

A Magnificent site, an awe-struck feeling: Southern Right Whales and their Calves in Walker Bay, Hermanus.

Whale Season in Hermanus: July – November

As you make your way for about 2.5 hours along the East Coast towards the garden route,  Hermanus is one of the beautiful fishing towns that you will come across. What used to be a  quaint town for holiday makers traveling from Cape Town during the hot summer months, Hermanus has grown and become a keen stop for most tourists’ on their way up the garden route.

Hermanus, Mating and breeding place for Southern Right Whales, has been recognised by the World Wildlife Fund as one of the 12 best whale watching destinations in the world. Whales migrate from the Antarctic during the month of June to settle and mate in the bays of our African coast. During the month of October, when population peaks, calving begins and babies and mothers can be spotted in walker bay Kwaaiwater, Voelklip and Grotto Bay.

Between and during the months of July to November, whales can be spotted from up to 5m from the shoreline, a truly magnificent site for local day visitors and tourists alike.

During the season there are many activities that encourage a real “whale” experience, these include sea kayaking that allows you to go out into the ocean and get up close as they roll around in the ocean. Flying over walker bay is another way to appreciate the whales as they swim around with their newly born calves.

 

Two Oceans Hermanus Whale festival:

This year from the 3rd to 6th of October South Africa celebrated its 23rd year of the enviro-arts festival of the whales in Hermanus. The festival included Marine expos which show cased Marine Endangered Species and conservation of our beautiful sea mammals such as the great white shark and the southern right whale. The festival presents over 20 Music performers, great food, quality crafters, sport events, kids entertainment and lots more. In addition to all the exciting activities happening at the festival centre, there is also a “Total Whale Half Marathon” of 21.1km that the public can take part in.