The Whale Coast of South Africa
The Whale Coast of South Africa
This coast is without any doubt one of the best areas in the world for land based whale watching. One is almost guaranteed multiple sightings during the calving and mating months between July and Nov. During this time you can expect to see large numbers of Southern Right whales gathering in the sheltered bays along the coast of Walker Bay. These magnificent mammals can be seen extremely close to shore, all the way from Cape Town and up the Garden Route towards Port Elizabeth – a distance of about 800 km. One of the more strikingly beautiful sections of coast line is the stretch between Gordon’s Bay and Hermanus ( R44), where the Cape Fold Mountains dive down into the ocean , creating a coastline of headlands, natural harbours, white sandy beaches and steep gorges. Dotted along the coast are a number of little sea side villages, starting with Gordon’s Bay and through Betty’s Bay (this town is well known for its botanical gardens as well as a colony of African Penguins).Most visitors to the area travel straight through to Hermanus and Walker Bay for obvious reasons.
Hermanus was originally a small and quiet little fishing village as well as a summer holiday spot for people from Cape Town. In the early nineties the number of Southern Right whales to the region started to increase quite rapidly- due to conservation and the protection of whales in general. This increase in whale numbers resulted in a glut in international tourism and gave Hermanus a reputation as one of the best places in the world to view whales without having to go out in a boat. Hermanus has now opened numerous seaside restaurants and places of accommodation to cater to the tourist demand.
Whale viewing is best during the months of September, October and November when you are assured to see large numbers breaching and lob tailing ( when the whale smacks it’s tail onto the water surface ). Viewing is made easy by simply following the cliff top paths that follow the coast from the south side of the town, past the old harbour on then onwards all the way round towards Grotto beach. The old harbour is in the centre of town and near all the restaurants. You can make your way down to the jetty of the old harbour and visit the restored fisherman’s cottages and museum.
Keep your eyes and ears open for the Hermanus Whale Crier, who walks up and down the cliff paths while blowing his Kelp horn to alert the tourists to where the whales are.
Have a look further on our Cape Town Travel-Day Tours Category to view a selection of tours from which to choose. Remember that you will benefit from all our Special Preferential Rates should you book your Tours/Accommodation/Safari through us.
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