whale watching hermanus from land
Whales are found in many different locations around the world, check for more international whale watching events. Hermanus (originally called Hermanuspietersfontein, but shortened in 1902 as the name was too long for the postal service), is a town on the southern coast of the Western Cape province of South Africa. Hi, guys! With the largest number ever spotted, by Cessna light plane aerial survey, in ONE day being 196 Whales in our small Walker Bay at Hermanus, South Africa. In the morning there was also a pair of humpback whales and a pod of dolphins. Don’t worry if ocean conditions are not perfect, they should allow you to sit inside the cabin and call everyone outside when whales are spotted. Driving this way is 122 km and takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. The Whale Watching Trip duration is between 2 and 3 hours, depending on sightings and weather conditions. The great thing about the whale watching boat cruises is that you are unlikely to see only whales. Hermanus in Walker Bay is world-renowned as one of the best whale-watching spots on the planet, allowing you to get close to these massive animals on a boat tour, by kayak or just watching them from the shore. Whale watching season in Hermanus offers a spectacular experience for all visitors. The main sponsor is Volkswagen. 1.3 Tickets for the boat based whale-watching trips from Hermanus and from Gaansbaai as well as the Great White shark dives from Kleinbaai to Dyer Island will be available at the ticket office. The best time to enjoy whale watching in Hermanus is between July and November either from land, by boat or from the air via a scenic flight. Before departure. There are many reasons, but a big one is guano harvesting, bird poo is awesome fertilizer for your garden and tons of it was scraped from Dyer island to be sold to gardeners. Optional transfers from Cape Town are available. The De Wet’s Huis Photo Museum is interesting with pictures of Hermanus when it was still a tiny fishing village and old photos of the old harbor and old pics of the Windsor Hotel. Boat Based Whale Watching in Hermanus Hermanus in South Africa is the Land Based Whale Watching capital of the world and every whale watching trip is a unique experience where the sightings vary. Sailing is an interesting action, the whales use their elevated flukes to catch the wind, ‘sailing’ while remaining in the same position for a considerable amount of time. Southern Rights have a double blowhole, resulting in a unique V-shaped spray blown out. (Be sure to pre-book in season.) Driving down Main Road towards the beaches (north-east) turn-off to Die Gang or stop at Kwaaiwater or Siever’s Point one of the best whale lookout points on the route. Bronze whaler sharks also sometimes surround the cage diving boats. At some places, whales are known to approach to within five metres of the shore and this can offer an excellent opportunity to see them up close without the need to head out to sea. It is a great paddle to do around the coast from the Old Harbor if you have your own gear. We left the whales and continued to Dyer Island to see the Cape Fur Seals. Land and boat-based watching can be enjoyed in the holiday town of Hermanus. If you’re planning on going whale watching in Hermanus or Gansbaai, here are some tips and tricks to get the most out of your whale watching experience. Southern Right Whales migrate to the bay and use their time here to mate and calve. The town has a beautiful cliff path wrapping around the coast for 12 km from West Cliff outlook close to the Hermanus New Harbor all the way to Grotto Beach. Enter your name and email below. Humpback whales grow up to 16m and 30 tons. However if you’re not quite sure, just fill out our enquiry form or better yet, give us a call on : Wine tasting – Stellenbosch is the most famous wine tasting area in South Africa, check out our detailed Stellenbosch Wine Tasting Guide. Kogel Bay is a great surf spot and pulling over to watch the surfers is popular at this spot. Trip times vary with weather and tide conditions and depart from Gansbaai, near Hermanus, and also Plettenberg Bay. Most of the tours offer snacks and drinks on board. Travel along the 85km coastline with us, as we scout the awesome Bays for Southern Right Whales and Dolphins, en route to Hermanus. Other whale species – July to November is a good season to see Humpback whales. These deep-diving animals are difficult to see, usually, they dive after surfacing briefly, staying down for up to 20 minutes. Southern Right Whales can be seen for 6 months every year, from early June to late November / early December. The festivities happen in late September/early October to celebrate the return of the Southern Right whales to Walker Bay. Adjacent to Dyer Island is Geyser Rock, home to a 60,000 strong Cape fur seal colony. Copyright © 2021 Stingy Nomads | Wisteria on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, The Rota Vicentina - the detailed guide & itinerary, The Ultimate Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Safari Guide, Good places to see whales from the shore in Hermanus, Garden Route and Addo Elephant National Park, Marine Big 5 Trip in Gansbaai with Dyer Island Cruises. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Hermanus is a great place for a weekend getaway from Cape Town. Most tours meet in the Hermanus New Harbor, find it on Google Maps. They tend to approach and interact with boats and have several interesting behaviors you may observe on a whale-watching expedition. Keen to get some more useful info about planning a dream safari? Whatever your disposition, whale watching in Hermanus has universal appeal especially since the area is certified whale country and regarded as the world’s mecca for both land and boat-based whale watching. It’s all about the whales here, so much so, Hermanus hosts an annual 3-day Whale Festival in September. In season you have plenty of different options to see these magnificent animals. We then set off from the Hermanus New Harbour in … Our whale watching seafari started with a briefing, coffee and muffins at The Great White House in Kleinbaai, close to the harbor (on Google Maps). The trips depart all year round. They breed mainly on offshore islands in colonies and Dyer Island is one such a breeding area. We earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Bryde’s whales are present all year round. Book accommodation early, this little town gets crazy busy with the Whale Festival. Thousands of visitors come to this beautiful little town to watch whales from the cliffs and enjoy a variety of live shows; music, comedy, kids entertainment, cabaret, and dance during the Festival. The WWF (World Wildlife Fund) rates Hermanus as one of the 12 best whale-watching destinations in the world. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Southern Right whales are active on the water surface and curious towards humans. Yes, whale watching is a fantastic experience! The African penguin is the only penguin species that breeds in Africa. Cedarberg Africa is unique in that we are a specialist tour operator. Somewhere close to Uilkraalsmond, we found a mother and calf pair of Southern Right Whales. Their huge size, slow swimming speed, and long surface time make them easy to see. We’re Campbell and Alya, the creators of Stingy Nomads, water lovers and hiking addicts, traveling the world to bring you tips and tricks to experience some of the most thrilling adventures on the planet! They are an endangered species strictly protected and the population is slowly recovering. The Hermanus Walk is at a town famous for its champagne air, long stretches of beach, mild climate, rich floral kingdom and is the best shore-based whale-watching destination in the world. This eco-marine festival attracts people from all around the world including children. Whale Watching Hermanus has been recognized by the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) as one of the 12 Best Whale Watching Destinations in the World. But we are also a family-business, run by the two sisters with offices in the United Kingdom and South Africa. It’s no secret that whale lovers from around the world flock to Walker Bay every year to observe these peaceful giants of the deep. Walker Bay is the mating and breeding grounds of the Southern Right Whale from June to November, wintertime in South Africa. In a kayak you paddle through the bay where you can find the Whales. If there are Great white sharks around you have an excellent chance of seeing these top apex predators from the boat. Whale watching from Gansbaai or Hermanus? The Southern right whale draws most tourists to the area in whale watching season. The onboard marine biologist was knowledgeable, there was some swell and strong wind, but the crew did a good job of assisting the one or 2 seasick clients. Dolphins are often seen on the expeditions and if you are lucky you can be surrounded by massive pods of dolphins. The Brydes whale is a smaller whale species found in the Walker Bay area. There are no direct public transport connections, you can choose to be picked up at your accommodation in Cape Town by most companies or rent a car. The whale viewing during the months of July and August vary from year to year with regards to how many whales are present in Walker Bay and along the coast; however you are almost guaranteed of seeing whales … Whales are not the only animals that can be seen on ocean expeditions. The Voëlklip and Grotto beaches are also good for whale spotting from the rocks. Watching massive whales from a boat is one of the most exciting things to do in Cape Town. Marine Big 5 Trip in Gansbaai with Dyer Island Cruises These trips are often fully booked, book now! Whale Watching Tour Western Cape, Hermanus. Stony Point Penguin Colony – Home to one of the largest breeding colonies of African Penguins in the world, Stony Point Nature Reserve is the place to go if you want to see many penguins in South Africa. Rentacar Cape Town Is a great way to find the best rental prices, they compare prices of all the most reputable car rental agencies in the city. Humpback whales are commonly seen between June and August while these animals are migrating to the warmer Indian ocean. After launching we started heading towards Dyer Island, about 8km offshore. During a Marine Big 5 safari, you are out to see Great White Sharks, whales, seals, dolphins, and African Penguins. To take Clarence drive turn onto the R44 at Somerset West and follow the rugged coastline through Gordon’s Bay. If you know what you want, tell us! Hermanus is a small town an hour and a half along the east coast from Cape Town. Hermanus is said to offer the best land-based whale watching in the world, in the season the Southern Right whales can be seen from shore in the area, coming as close as 5m from the rocky shore. Bryde’s whales are found in the Dyer Island area throughout the year, with most sightings occurring during the summer months. Also the best land-based whale watching site in the world. Daily sightings are almost guaranteed. This phenomenon results in the incredible biodiversity found around Africa’s southern tip building up an extraordinary ecosystem from tiny plankton to massive predatory fish. Hermanus: Hermanus, a two hour drive over the mountains from Cape Town, markets itself as the whale capital of the world and arguably has some of the best landbased whale watching on the planet. They were cruising the area, spending a lot of time on the surface playing in the swell. The Hermanus Whale Watching Festival lasts for three days. Calving takes place in August and September. They can be identified by the callosities on its head, lack of a dorsal fin on its back, and a long, arching mouth that begins above the eye. The town has its own ‘Whale-crier’ that walks along the coast blowing through his kelp horn telling visitors of whale sightings. The peak months being September and October when the whales come right into the bays of South Africa to breach. The tour is a fairly easy paddle for about 2 hours. At this location between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock, they stop next to sister company Marine Dynamics doing cage diving. Get advice from a source you can trust. Adventure activities – the town offers a large variety of activities to get your adrenaline pumping; there is great scuba diving from operators in the new harbor, sandboarding (almost like snowboarding on the nearby dunes in Kleinmond, sea kayaking, mountain biking, and great quad biking in the Hemel en Aarde valley. The Hermanus Whale Festival, the only Eco-Arts festival in South Africa, is held every year in spring. There is a complete southern right whale skeleton in the museum. Feeding of the penguins in the center is every day at 15:00. The season for whale watching in Hermanus is between June to December attracts tourists from all over the world. It is a nice place to go after your seafari, sit and watch while enjoying excellent cake and coffee. Other than whales you can also see dolphins, seals, penguins, and marine birds on these trips. Cage diving with Great White Sharks is a very popular bucket list activity for many adventurous tourists. Hermanus is the whale watching capital of South Africa where every year between August to November an estimated 100 Southern Right Whales will gather in the town’s Walker Bay. Learn how your comment data is processed. They are easily recognizable by their long flippers, humped back with a dorsal fin, and the distinctive white markings on the underside of tails. The Hemel en Aarde Valley, surrounding Hermanus is however home to the best producers of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines in the country. The town has a beautiful cliff path wrapping around the coast for 12 km from West Cliff outlook close to the Hermanus New Harbor all the way to Grotto Beach. Great White Cage Diving – Get up close with the ultimate apex predator, the Great White Shark with a cage dive amongst the sharks of Gansbaai. Hermanus is teaming with Brydes whales this morning- all close in shore, in front of the town centre, stunning to see! Adult whales are between 14-16m in length and can weigh between 40-60 tonnes. The whales migrate from the Antarctic around June for … The cliff path offers excellent vantage points to view the whales. The boats are in contact with each other and often know where the whales are, some even use drones to scout. If you go to Hermanus don’t miss tasting the world-famous wines made by Hamilton Russel and Bouchard Finlayson at the estates. The hunting in the past exhausted their numbers and today there are thought to be only about 3000 of these animals alive. Driving on the N2 via Sir Lowrys Pass you will have great views back over False Bay all the way to the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town. Due to the presence of Killer Whales (orcas) in the bay, the Great White Sharks disappeared for a couple of days. Thanks to the usually mild, Mediterranean climate and coastal-and-mountain location, visitors are able to experience a diverse range of activities in a smaller than usual area. It is one of the world’s best land-based whale watching spots. The whales often come very close to the shore at this spot. Adults - … Another great spot is De Kelders, a sleepy little village close to Gansbaai. The beautiful seaside town Hermanus is situated in Walker Bay on the South Coast of the Western Cape about 90 mins drive from Cape Town. It has been recorded that Walker Bay has played host to over 100 whales at a time. Please contact us for prices for Plettenberg Bay whale watching. If you enjoy wine tasting don’t miss the Durbanville wine route or the Constantia wine farms, two fantastic wine-producing areas around Cape Town. From Cape Town: Hermanus Whale Watching Boat Trip Reviewed by Katja, 10/24/2019 Book through local partner to save money Had a great time doing this tour: Everything was well organized, the guides were knowledgeable, beautiful drive down to Hermanus, the whales were amazing to watch! Bintang’s Cave is one of the restaurants with the best location I have ever been to, have a drink at a table on the rocks and with some luck see whales swimming just a couple of meters away. Whale watching Hermanus Big 5. Your best chance to see whales is on a boat-based whale cruise. The whale ‘season’ in South Africa runs from June/July through to December. The whale watching season runs from June till early December. They have a trained marine biologist on every tour who will share their knowledge with you, keeping emphasis on the welfare and conservation of the animals. The name ‘Southern Right’ comes from the fact that they were seen as the ‘right’ whales to hunt in the past, because they swim relatively slow and don’t dive for too long, spending a lot of time on the surface. Our goal is to target Walker Bays Big 5, Whales, Dolphin, Seals, Penguin and Marine Birds. This is the only tour available where you can see all these amazing animals on one excursion. Once famous for the healing powers of its ‘champagne air’ it now boasts another claim to fame. It is fun walking around town or sitting in a coffee shop and running to the edge of the nearby cliffs when you hear the crying of his horn. We can book transfers for you from Hermanus. Located in Betty’s Bay about 40 km before reaching Hermanus if you drive the coastal route via Clarence Drive (R44). If you are in the Cape between July and December do not miss the opportunity to see the incredible Southern Right Whales! Southern Right Whales are the stars of the show during the annual mating in calving season, which starts with the arrival of the bulls in June, closely followed by the females. Hermanus is famous for Boat Based Whale Watching Trips to see Southern Right Whales in their natural environment and in a responsible manner. You can sponsor a penguin shelter for R500, by building these specially developed ‘artificial nests’ on the island the population has been stabilized at the current level. Penguins used to burrow nests in the guano layer that was meters thick, without this protective layer they are exposed to the sun and predators. Whale Watching by boat. The sharks are not fed, they are lured to the boat with a scent trail, the “chumming” consists out of a bait bag containing fish products. On the way, we spotted some African Penguins in the water. What an amazing place and experience. Kayaking is the ultimate way to meet the whales of Walker Bay. It’s the perfect getaway for both the fit and outdoorsy and the mellow and introverted. We experienced everything on this blog and wrote every word. Whales often play in Walker Bay, an amazing view from the cliffs on the edge of Hermanus to see these enormous animals playing. So is Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route. The price shown is the price of the Gansbaai whale watching scheduled cruise in season, (assuming that you drive yourself to Gansbaai). There are opportunities to see the Marine Big 5; Whales, Sharks, Seals, Dolphins, and Penguins on cruises in the area. The Southern Right whale population reaches a peak in October when males arrive in Walker Bay for mating. The Southern Right whales grow to a massive 18 meters long and can weigh up to 80 tons, these animals really are huge. Daily sightings are almost guaranteed. Humpback dolphins and Common dolphins are the species most often seen in Walker Bay. This once sleepy fishing village has turned into an incredible tourist destination with beautiful nature, local art galleries, interesting museums, incredible wineries, and a variety of exciting adventure activities. Unfortunately these guys are in trouble with a 90% population decline on Dyer Island in the last 30 years. It’s a paradise for sea lovers and whale watchers. Posted on Published: June 25, 2020 By: Author Campbell. There are between 100-200 whales which come into Walker Bay (Hermanus) every year. Hermanus, Overstrand Picture: Walker Bay, Hermanus, South Africa. The Southern Right Whale and the Humpback whale come into our waters to mate and calve every year during these months and it is a sight to be enjoyed by all who love animals. You can also take the boat cruise in the summer months (from December to June) to see the penguins, birds and seals at a lower cost. In season your chances of spotting whales are very good, and paddlers sometimes have to take care not to get too close to the whales. As one of the top destinations for whale-watching, Hermanus is perfectly positioned to offer the best viewing directly from the shore. You can arrive on your own at Gansbaai harbor or choose to be picked up at your accommodation in Cape Town. By sea – If you want to get closer, we can book a 2-2½ hour whale watching boat cruise. 3 tour operators utilize Hermanus harbor, 1 boat operates from Gansbaai harbor, and 1 boat from Kleinbaai harbor. Hermanus is one of the prime whale-watching areas. In town; the Old Harbor and Gearing’s Point with great views of the ocean are good spots. The African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS) in Gansbaai provide temporary rehabilitative care to diseased, displaced, injured, oiled, and abandoned marine birds, focusing on the endangered African penguin. Hermanus has been recognized by the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) as one of the 12 best whale watching destinations in the world. In season there usually are well over 100 whales in the bay making for a spectacular whale watching experience. Their guides can also give you great photographic tips as to how best to capture these amazing beasts, as it’s not so easy! We depart from the harbor of Gansbaai and cruise along the scenic route passing the cliffs of De Kelders and De Platt Beach. Driving to Hermanus you have 2 options, the N2 is about 30 minutes faster, but taking Clarence Drive is one of the most scenic coastal drives on the Cape Peninsula. Situated on the other side of the bay, Gansbaai boasts the same whale watching with an opportunity to beat the crowds. Dyer Island Cruises and Marine Dynamics cruises depart from Kleinbaai harbor near Gansbaai. The APSS is a project driven by the Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT) together with Marine Dynamics and Dyer Island Cruises. Whale watching in Hermanus is definitely a must-include in your Cape Town itinerary. 1.4 Guided land based whale-watching tours on foot along the cliff path, start from the centre. The tour heads into the channel of water between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock known as the world famous ‘Shark Alley’. There are about 60 000 of these curious, playful animals living on Geyser rock, next to Dyer Island. The drive itself is stunning; it’s one of the most scenic drives in Cape Town. During a Marine Big Five trip with Dyer Island Cruises, the boat takes you to the famous ‘Shark Alley’. The drive from Cape Town to Hermanus on the coast is one of the most scenic drives in the country. There are many awesome lookout points on the way to stop and check for whales in False Bay. Hermanus is jam-packed with an unlimited supply of adventures, activities and sights for the intrepid explorer to the leisurely holiday-maker. The Southern Right whales visit this bay every June to November to the delight of the locals and international visitors. Disclosure: Stingy Nomads take part in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Hermanus can be visited as a day trip from Cape Town. Want to know more ABOUT US ? This created a lot of opportunities for taking photos. This coastal scenic road follows a beautiful 48km coastal road between Gordon’s Bay and Kleinmond driving with unreal views of False Bay on one side and the foothills of the Hottentots Holland Mountains on the other. They can be seen from the rocks, cliffpath, vantage points along the coastal roads and at some establishments visitors can enjoy a view of the whales from the veranda or even from their beds! +27 27 482 2444, Chat with us about your perfect itinerary, We listen, discuss and curate your ideal experience, Hi I’m Sonja, I’m here to help you plan your ideal holiday experience. The close proximity you get to these majestic creatures and the pristine natural environment you view them in, is what elevates this experience above the ordinary and makes it the best in the world. Rooi Els is a nice place to stop for something to eat. Pick up your vehicle in town or at the airport. It is the home of the Southern Right Whales from June to December which is the best time for whale watching in Hermanus South Africa. It is also described as the Riviera of the South. The list of things to do in Hermanus is seemingly endless. Several types of activities are organized as a part of this festival and they include whale watching on boat, whale watching from land, orchid shows, street parades, arts and craft exhibitions and sales, whales and wheels classic car shows and many more. How to whale watch. The 12-km Cliff Path starting near the New Harbour and heading east takes in several excellent spots for land-based whale watching in Hermanus. You are almost guaranteed whale sightings from August to early November. Some of the boats have permits to get very close to the whales, not closer than 50m. The peak months being September and October when the whales come right into the bays of South Africa to breach. Hermanus is one of the prime whale-watching areas. Peak Season – Late September/early October the Southern Right whale watching season peaks and although sightings cannot be guaranteed with wild animals, not seeing a whale on boat tours at this time is highly unlikely. You have three options for whale watching – by land, by sea and now even by air. Hermanus is the Mecca for whale watching during the southern hemispheres winter months. There were however a couple of fairly large Bronze Whaler sharks entertaining the divers in the cage. The alternative is driving the spectacular Clarence Drive coastal route. Whale Watching. When you mention diving in South Africa many questions regarding sharks always come about. World renown land-based whale watching place. Whale Watching in Hermanus. From land, with a boat, a plane and kayak. We had a fantastic trip. Join the Ivanhoe team for what will undoubtedly be a memorable 2hr Big 5 Sea Safari. Walk, whales and wildflowers ! You can combine a drive to Hermanus with a road trip along the Garden Route. The Southern Right Whale being the common species of whale to be seen. Some visitors choose to come on a day trip from Cape Town. Walker Bay is a large bay located in the Western Cape province of South Africa between False Bay near Cape Town and Cape Agulhas, the most Southern Point of Africa. In the West Cliff area, close to the New Harbor; Fick’s Pool, Dreunkrans and Windsor Bay are popular whale watching spots. Rent a medium sized car from about $20 per day and small budget vehicles start as low as $10 per day if you rent for a week! In the town of Hermanus Whale watching kayaking tours are available. Marine Big 5 tours are offered from Gansbaai about 50 km from Hermanus. Sometimes you can see them ‘breach’, jumping out of the water to create a big splash or ‘sailing’ with their tails in the wind. In Hermanus you have four ways to go whale watching. We're glad you love our country! This route is about 142 km taking 2 hours and 15 minutes to drive. Hermanus is a lovely coastal area of South Africa about a 90-minute drive from Cape Town. Around Dyer Island you could easily also spot bottlenose or humpback dolphins, Cape fur seals, hundreds of gannets and cormorants, African penguins and of course the Great white sharks. Southern Right Whales come to visit Hermanus shores to give birth or to find a mate every year between June and December.