Hermanus, located on the southern coast of South Africa, is renowned for offering the best land-based whale watching opportunities to be found in the world. This coastal town is known as the ‘Whale Capital of the World’, as well as the ‘Riviera of the South’. Hermanus is located on the Whale Coast Route near Cape Town, South Africa and enjoys a Mediterranean-like climate.
Southern Right and Humpback whale sightings usually begin in the middle of May each year, and by September visitors will be able to see the magnificent creatures gently floating within a few feet of the shoreline. The whales come so close to shore that the callosities on their heads can be seen quite clearly; these callosities form unique patterns on each whale, and are the whale equivalent of a human fingerprint. These gentle giants will usually come in close to the shoreline to give birth, and whale watchers can gaze in silent awe as this miracle of nature unfolds before them.
There is a unique cliff path that meanders for about 12 kilometres along the Hermanus coastline. This coastal path offers spectacular vantage points from which to see the whales frolicking and relaxing among the otters, seals, and dolphins that also inhabit the bay. While walking along this path visitors can also admire the colourful coastal vegetation, and observe rock rabbits darting to and fro. At low tide, whale watchers can stand on rocks that are nearly at sea level and be up close and personal with the gentle creatures that have migrated from Antarctica. By December, most of them will have begun their journey back home.
Hermanus is about a one and a half hour drive from Cape Town International Airport and can be reached either via scenic coastal Clarence Drive, or by taking a route which travels over a spectacular mountaintop.
