Viewpoints on Whale Watching in Hermanus!

If you're looking to spot a whale, the first few things you'll hear people say is:

"Hermanus has the best land-based whale watching in the world" and "You're sure to see hundreds of whales breaching from the waters off the rocky cliffs to the West" or "You'll definitely see them lob tailing from the vantage point of the golden beaches to the East".

And this indeed is a fact.

Every year, like clockwork, the whales return to Hermanus for their yearly rendezvous in Walker Bay, carrying out their annual rhythms of mating and calving.

Considering what people actually understand about the Southern Right Whale - named because it was the "right" whale to hunt - the whales perspective will always be something mysterious and unknown.

What we do know is that they prefer the warmer waters of Walker Bay for a breeding ground rather than the cold waters of their usual haunt, the Arctic Circle.

According to the calendar they can be seen from July to November. What areas of Walker Bay or the time of day to expect them is hard to say. But there is one expert in Hermanus who is sure to know.

The Whale Crier of Hermanus

If you've never heard of the Whale Crier of Hermanus, it's because Hermanus is the only place in the world to have one. If you're interested in whales this is one whale expert you definitely need to meet.

Pieter Claasen was the first to lift a horn-shaped tube of kelp to his lips at age 11, sounding the first base notes announcing the arrival of the whales. Since then, his predecessor, Wilson Salukazana, has become Hermanus's second whale crier.

He answers any questions posed to him about whales...

Wilson can tell you where they come from, what kinds there are in the bay and even the names of the aerial stunts they perform. He also knows the best coves along the shore and the places where you can get within 20m of these gentle submariners.

However, his most useful service is a system for notifying whale enthusiasts by coded calls issued from his kelp trumpet.

When he sees the whales on yonder horizon, he blows his trusty horn like he was at home watching a soccer match! And the crowds come running. Two long calls for the viewing spot at Roman Rock. One short call for the Old Harbour, where you can zoom in on the whales with the telescopes provided. One long, one short and another long call for the Voëlklip lookout position.

These are just a few, but there are other spots the Whale Crier claims are even better standpoints for whale watching.

Wilson, the Whale Crier, has many whale tales to tell. If you catch him at the right time, you can hear the legends he has gathered from the past that only he knows how to tell.

The ancient whale migration patterns have remained unbroken for thousands of years...

The Moby Dick Hermanus Whale Festival

Another thing you can count on is the annual Moby Dick Hermanus Whale Festival, happening during the last week of September. Expect things to be in full swing, offering festive greetings to the whales on their return.

The festival is perfectly timed for the spring season and serves as a great way of welcoming back the spirit of springtime for both parties.

The festival centres on the towns market place. Food stalls sell freshly produced foods from the nearby farms, crafters display skilfully made earthenware pottery and assorted trinkets all uniquely crafted by hand. Restaurants bustle with activity and the pubs pour drinks well into the night.

Hermanus is for Everyone

Hermanus is a haven for crafters and musicians, quiet folks and artists. All see its mountains, beaches, wild flora, fauna and of course the whales from their own point of view.

Whether you're gazing at the ocean from the rocky cliffs to the West or marvelling at the sunsets from golden beaches to the East, the friendly people of Hermanus invite you to draw your own experiences.

The Windsor Hotel is situated on a cliff edge just meters form the sea. Providing advantageous perspectives on the Indian Ocean, it was built in 1896 making it the most well-established hotel in Hermanus. The staff at the Windsor Hotel will make your stay a seaside holiday you'll never want to leave behind.

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If you are keen for more info on whale watching in Hermanus check out the info at this Hermanus guest house.

Full Day Hermanus Tour

Leave the city and drive towards the mountains of the wine country before continuing towards the coast. Drive through the seaside towns of the Strand with its beautiful beaches, and Gordon’s Bay nestled below the slopes of the Hottentots Holland Mountains. This is a charming fishing village with magnificent views across False Bay, and on a clear day Cape Point can be seen in the distance.

Continue along the spectacular Marine Drive, which cuts along the mountain slopes and overlooks a precipitous and rocky coast. During the whale season, between July and November, Southern Right Whales are often seen along this drive.

Drive further along the coastline passing the white sandy beaches of Koelbaai and the villages of Rooiels, Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay. This area has a wealth of flowering plants and one can visit the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens, famous for the beautiful Red Disa and the flowering fynbos of the area. Take a walk through the reserve and up the slopes of the mountains to the waterfall in Disa Kloof where some of the indigenous trees of the Cape can be seen. Continue on, over the Bot River and into the Walker Bay area and the charming village of Hermanus.

For wine enthusiasts a stop is made en route at the picturesque Hemel-en-Aarde valley where the cool maritime climate creates ideal conditions for the growing of Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay grapes. Here, wine farms such as Bouchard Finlayson, Hamilton Russell and Whalehaven Wines produce acclaimed wines.

Because of its shallow, sandy beaches this area is where many of the Southern Right Whales come to mate and calve. Whales often come very close to the shore in Hermanus, and there are some excellent vantage points from the cliff paths that run from one end of town to the other. After lunch at one of the seafood restaurants in the village, there will be time to browse at the many stores and craft markets in the town.

Return to the city over the Hottentots Holland Mountains, driving through the apple growing regions of Grabouw and Elgin, and stopping on the spectacular Sir Lowry’s Mountain Pass for beautiful views of the Cape Peninsula.

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Guest House Hermanus

Hermanus - The World's Best Whale Watching Destination

Hermanus Accommodation - Bed & Breakfast

Hermanus: the best land based whale watching in the world. Hermanus town looks over the protected shallow waters of Walker Bay where the Southern Right Whales come to mate, calve and rear their young. Between June and December every year you can sit on the rocky cliffs overlooking the bay and watch the whales breaching, sailing, bobbing or just frolicking around in the waves. August is peak time for calving and August and September are the months you will find the most whales in the bay. An incredible site that cannot be missed!

Boat based whale watching is offered from Hermanus where one can get within a few metres from the whales. The Whale Show is offered, a unique whale and dolphin audio-visual presentation that runs twice daily (10h00 & 15h00) at the Whale Museum - A worthwhile show that provides you with detailed, fascinating information on our gentle giants.

Not too far from Hermanus is the Great White shark cage diving mecca, Gansbaai. Six nautical miles away is Dyer Island, possibly the best place in the world to view these magnificent predators. The island is a bird sanctuary and a breeding site for the African penguin and many other coastal birds. Adjoining it is a second, smaller rocky island called Geyser rock, which supports a large seal population. Separating Geyser and Dyer is a channel aptly named "Shark Alley", arguably THE prime spot in the world for encountering the Great White shark. The cage diving is an exhilarating experience and a "must do"

Blue Gum Country Estate kindly invited me to come and stay for the weekend. Accepting the offer with glee, I disappeared from the hustle and bustle of the city driving only 2 hours to arrive in the Overberg region. Blue Gum is situated on the slopes of the Klein River Mountains just outside Stanford only 20min past Hermanus. It offers a luxury country lodge feel, superb service, great food and beautiful surroundings. After arriving in the late afternoon, I was invited to the cosy lounge area to enjoy tea and scones with jam and fresh cream.

Unfortunately I chose the worst weekend to get away. The weather turned really grim and 3 consecutive cold fronts bringing massive amounts of rain, hit the western cape. Thousands of people were left stranded, homes washed away particularly in the poorer rural areas. The Klein River, which Blue Gum Lodge overlooks, came down in flood and completely washed the bridge away between us and the outside world! I must have arrived at about 16h00 and by 17h30 water rushed over the bridge preventing the remaining guests from joining us for the night. They were forced to retreat to Stanford.

Rain belted down during the night, thunder and lighting created a dramatic atmosphere. The guests huddled inside around large cosy fireplaces after a great 3-course dinner, the friendly staff offering nightcaps. I got chatting to a fun English couple, Douglas and Nicky who were visiting the area hoping to go Shark Cage diving. Much to their disappointment this was called off due to the bad weather. Douglas was celebrating his 40th birthday this day so we enjoyed a couple drinks over a game of Trumps, a card game introduced to us by Douglas. Louise the lodge manager joined us and merrily served us more and more tequilas and Jagermeister as the night went on. I retreat to my luxury spacious room before things got too out of hand!

In the morning we heard about a back route out from the lodge to Stanford that travelled through farmlands at the base of the mountain, a rough gravel road crossed by 3 little rivers that tested our off road driving skills in our low laying city cars. Nic, the owner of the lodge, led the way in his pickup truck assisting us where possible. The largest river at one point was approximately 25cm deep at its deepest point and about 6m wide, all very well if you were driving a 4x4, but most of us weren't! After a couple of knocks and bumps and much adrenalin racing through our bodies, we made it! Only to return again later in the afternoon once we had enjoyed our days excursions.

Blue Gum offers a number of activities although all weather dependant, such as horse riding, mountain biking, quad biking, tennis, hiking and boat cruising on the Stanford River. The Birkenhead Brewery is just down the road. From Wednesday to Friday at 11h00 and 15h00, one can enjoy a tour of the brewery and learn how the beer is made. The tastings can be enjoyed everyday at the restaurant and it is nice to combine it with a pub lunch. After enjoying the good service at Blue Gum, I was disappointed with the service here though.

I returned to the lodge for an afternoon nap, happy to see that the rivers had subsided a bit making the road a little less of a challenge. At 18h00 I awoke with a knock on my door. Delicious snacks and an aperitif were brought to me. What a nice surprise! I sat in the quietness of my room enjoying cheese and biscuits and fresh fruit served with white sherry while looking onto the beautiful Klein River Mountain.

Although Blue Gum Lodge is a lovely place to get stranded, we were all hoping that the rain would ease off. If more rain fell, even the back road would become a problem. All the rivers subsided nicely by the morning, I checked out and said my farewells to everyone at the lodge and commenced my journey home.

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Why Do Many People Go To Hermanus For Whale Watching

Many visitors tour to Hermanus for the whale scrutiny opportunities free by this quaint coastal civic. The form of whale that can be spotted in Hermanus is known as the Southern Right Whale. The origins of its name are a little unfortunate, as hunters named it who termed it the 'right' whale to hound because it's an unhurried swimmer and its whimper makes it soar even after being killed. The good gossip is that the Southern Right Whale population is now emergent at a grade of about 7 percent every year, meaning that its population doubles every 10 years.

These types of whales normally have bleak grey bodies and colossal heads, measuring up to a third of their bodies.

Why Do the Whales Like Hermanus? Hermanus cataract along the 2000 km's of whale scrutiny territory on the coast of South Africa that are archetype for the whales' desires. The shallow waters and dirty bottoms present an anodyne shelter for mating, calving and attention their childish.

Why Would You Like Hermanus? Hermanus offers a diversity of behavior to scrutiny whales and many of other activities to compliment a whale scrutiny holiday. There are a many coves, with charming slighter beaches stagger linked that-behavior running along the coast. The gives you the options of relaxing walks to scrutiny whales, or if that's too much activity, you can always clasp with a blanket and some lavender on the shoreline or eat at the restaurant in the harbour while you peer out at the sea.

If study from the land keeps you too far away from the Southern Right Whale's, you could also take lead of the ship trips that are existing to take you out to sea. Experiencing guides can chat you through a whale viewing experience, and convey you as close as is doable lacking actually disturbing the whales. The whale festival happens around the 25th of September for a week every year, when many group to the city to blackhead the visiting whales.

Other Activities In Hermanus offers a variety of other charms. The city has become fully a general tourist point, without expanding too much. As a result there are a vary of fantastic restaurants and shops to keep you busy on days when the whales are hiding. Various mountain trails and hikes recommend some activity that could give you a wholly different panorama of the ocean as well, with walks in the Hermanus keep proving particularly prevalent. While the township can't allege to have many of options in terms of nightlife, there are several clubs and pubs to keep you entertained if you are that way inclined.

Hermanus has an established history of being a whale scrutiny position and lovely leave get away. The innate splendour and relaxed sea-margin offerings are enough cause to go there, with the whales' present an bonus, albeit entirely a large one!

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Hermanus Accommodation

Hermanus Information - Cape Town - South Africa Travel

In the 1800s, the shepherd Herman’s Peters made his way to the sea with his livestock and camped there for a few months. Eventually other farmers also brought their livestock here to the area then known as Hermanuspietersfontein, for the summer grazing months. However, it was the fishermen not the farmers who settled here.

In the early 1900s the long name was reduced to Hermanus. The first school was built is 1868.

Hermanus grew in popularity as a holiday destination, and was even recommended as far afield as England as a good place with its fresh air for convalescents. The Marine Hotel was built in 1902 and proved popular with the English gentry.

Hermanus is about 120km or 90 minutes drive from Cape Town. Greater Hermanus is made up of 8 communities: Hermanus, Fisherhaven, Voelklip, Hawston, Vermont, Onrus, Mt Pleasant, Zwelihle.

Hermanus is regarded as the best land-based whale-watching location in the world. The peak whale season is during September and October. Hermanus hosts the Whale Festival annually. The Southern Right Whale population at Walker Bay was estimated at 40-70 in 2002. The number of whales that visit South African waters is around 2000 and is increasing yearly.

Whales can be spotted anywhere from the 12km long cliff path. Other excellent vantage points are Sievers Punt and Gearings Point. The telescope at the Old Harbour can also be used to view the whales. Wilson Salukazana, the world’s only whale crier patrols the streets of Hermanus with his kelp horn, alerting the town when whales are spotted.

The Whale House, which was created by the Old Harbour Museum, provides information and displays related to whales. The Old Harbour Museum, apart from providing information on the marine history, also maintains a database on the history of Hermanus. For more about the town’s history, a visit to the De Wet’s Huis Photo Museum is worthwhile. Here you can see a photographic exhibition showing the history of Hermanus.

For beer drinkers, a visit to the Birkenhead micro Brewery near Stanford is interesting for tours and tastings.

The abalone industry (perlemoen as it is known locally), is a large and lucrative one in Greater Hermanus. There has been much conflict due to poaching and over-harvesting. Demand for abalone, particularly from the Far East, is high, and dried abalone prices are extremely high. Regulations have reduced the perlemoen diving season considerably to protect this shellfish resource.

A beautiful viewpoint is the Hoy’s Koppie. This hill is named after Sir William Hoy, who was once general manager of South African Railways. He often visited Hermanus with his wife, and was so impressed with its natural beauty, that he blocked the plans to extend the Bot River Railway line to Hermanus so that the town would remain unspoilt.

It was discovered by archaeologists that the Khoisan tribes inhabited the Klipgat Cave on the southern part of Hoy’s Koppie, long before Hermanus was established.

The Fernkloof Nature Reserve was established in 1957. It has a rich diversity (1600) of fynbos species. In this reserve alone, spread over 15 square kilometers, 1100 different plant species have been identified, compared with 1500 species in the whole of the United Kingdom! 111 bird species have been recorded. Klipspringer, baboons, steenbok and grysbok can also be seen in the reserve.

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Hermanus Accommodation - Bed & Breakfast

Hermanus the Best Whale Watching Location in the World

Approximately two hours from Cape Town, visitors will find Hermanus This quaint destination spot, located near the most southerly point on the continent, is considered to be a major tourist location due to the fact that it perhaps the best place in the entire world for whale watching

Approximately two hours from Cape Town, visitors will find Hermanus. This quaint destination spot, located near the most southerly point on the continent, is considered to be a major tourist location due to the fact that it perhaps the best place in the entire world for whale watching. In particular, Hermanus is known for being an excellent location catch sight of the Southern Right Whale. When planning a visit for whale watching, keep in mind that peak times to catch sight of these beautiful sea creatures is from August to November. By December, whale watching opportunities usually begin to taper off. The cliff path that stretches the length of Hermanus offers the perfect opportunity for daily sightings during this time period.

Along the 12 km long cliff path, whale watchers will have plenty of opportunity to see these gentle giants close up in the breakers as well as the coves which are situated just below the path. In addition, there are numerous telescopes conveniently situated near the Old Harbour Museum; providing even more opportunities to catch sight of whales as dolphins at close range. The only Whale Crier in the entire world makes his rounds in Hermanus each and every day to inform visitors about the best sights to view whales.

There are actually several excellent spots in Hermanus for whale watching including De Kelders, Kleinmond and Betty''s Bay. De Hoop Nature Reserve is one of the favorite calving spots for the whales and as a result, the largest population of whales is frequently located there.

The most frequently spotted whales near the coastal areas are the Southern Right whales. These whales have been protected since 1935. These whales can be distinguished from other types of whales by their blow, which is v-shaped. Generally, the Southern Right whales begin arriving in the local area in the month of May so they can calve in the shallow waters. Byrde''s whales; however, make their home year around.

While Hermanus has become a major tourist destination in recent years, it has still managed to retain the atmosphere of a small fishing village. In addition to excellent accommodation options, visitors will also find a number of events and festivals throughout the year which keep the town busy.

Certainly whale watching is the most popular attraction in Hermanus; however, there are also plenty of other activities and attractions including a tour that will take you through the township as well as wine-tasting, sea-kayaking and even the chance to cage dive with great white sharks on Dyer Island, which is located nearby.

In addition, the Village Square Shopping Centre provides plenty of opportunity to shop, meet for a drink or enjoy a wonderful gourmet meal at one of the restaurants located in the piazza. Many of the local events and festivals are also staged here, including the Music Festival as well as the Whale Festival.

From whale watching to shopping and dining, Hermanus offers plenty activities and attractions for visitors interested in soaking up the local beauty.

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Hermanus Guest House

Design for sustainable living expo in Hermanus

here is something so exciting about this time of year. Yes, it rains a great deal in the Western Cape (who’s complaining, it’s not like we get a lot!) but it’s also the time of the coming of the whales to our shores.

I love the whales. These beautiful, gentle, giants show utter trust in humanity when they enter our bays to produce their young. I wouldn’t trust human beings with quite the same level of humility and grace (hey, I know what they’re capable of!) particularly when you take a step back and reflect on the current state of the environment. Yet people flock in their thousands to reciprocate the confident peace of these great beasts, and to catch a glimpse that leaves each of us feeling touched by something infinitely exceptional.

But back to humans and our commitment to affluence and economic growth at all costs, that is literally costing us the earth. We live in wonderful, yet alarming times where radical changes are called for. Where a profound shift in our value system and our take on the world needs to take place, or there will be little left to enjoy or call our own, and whales will be a distant memory, something about which we tell our grandchildren, but which they will never have the joy of seeing.

This is the second year that the Design for Sustainable Living Expo is on at the Hermanus whale festival, 24th – 28th September. It’s indicative of public concern and a growing interest in all thing green and sustainable. I’m always heartened by individuals and organisations who actively seek to involve individuals in solving the problem – many of us can end up feeling particularly powerless in the face of the doom mongers of global warming, despite its being a very real threat.

At the heart of the sustainable living expo is the issue of coming up with a practical plan of action, involving individual households. This year focuses on planning in urban and non-urban areas, as well as information on agricultural practice and food security. Topics include home and workplace design, alternative energy, water, recycling, transport and recreation, so head down to Gearing Point in Hermanus to find out how you can do your bit to living in a more sustainable way. And let the whales be reminder of how close we are to letting it all just slip through our fingers …

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Hermanus Accommodation

Hermanus beaches: alive all-year!

In a coastal town, the beach plays an important role in every resident's day-to-day activities, no matter what stage you are in life, and irrespective of season.

Hermanus has a major asset in a seafront cliff path, which stretches from Grotto Beach all the way to the new harbour, a distance of about 10km. An excellent way to discover your favourite beach is to walk along the well-signposted path, in the direction of Hermanus central.

Benches are strategically placed at look out points along the way, allowing you to take a rest when needed. The cool breeze will keep you going on a hot summer's day and the anticipation of spotting a whale around the next bend, will keep you motivated for the long walk in winter months.

Early in the morning, you will see animal lovers walking their dogs on Grotto Beach - the only beach where dogs are allowed. (On a leash, and bring a poop-scoop please!)

This pristine beach stretches as far as you can see in the direction of Gansbaai, past the Klein Rivier lagoon mouth and De Plaat and area popular with kite-surfers.

Its excellent toilet and shower facilities, security, lifeguards, ample parking, braai facilities and playground make it popular with locals and tourists alike.

In winter, put on a beanie, and windbreaker, and walk as far as you can, until you can't feel your nose anymore in the fresh Atlantic air. The positive ions generated by the sea will dispel negative winter moods. Pack a flask of coffee and park at a lookout point to thaw out and admire the whales afterwards.

In summer, this is a great stretch of sand to play beach rugby, Frisbee or bat and ball, as it is vast enough to mark out your own space, although it may require trekking a distance from the car park.

As popular as Grotto is Voelklip Beach, although this local surfer's hangout is it is considerably smaller. Lifeguards are on duty in season, there are clean toilet facilities, shops nearby and a grass verge overlooking the beach for those that don't take well to sand sticking to their sun cream.

During the whale season, Southern Right whales can be seen playing just beyond the breakers, companions to the surfers.

On summer mornings you'll find nannies with small children gathered at Kammabaai for a chinwag, taking advantage of the fact that the beach is quiet enough for little ones to play while older kids are at school and moms and dads at work.

For this very reason, this protected little bay is also known as Nanny's Beach as it is within easy walking distance of Hermanus' swanky northern suburbs homes for nannies with prams.

Kammabaai takes on a completely different role in the afternoons and weekends, as teenagers and body boarders enjoy the perfect waves. Picnic and braai spots can be found under the Milkwood trees.

Next on your exploratory route is Langbaai, generally felt to be Hermanus' secret beach. It is small, but flanked by two rocky outcrops keeping it private and protected from the wind.

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Hermanus Bed & Breakfast

Hermanus hooks tourists with whale festival

The usually tranquil seaside town of Hermanus was buzzing with activity over the weekend as a result of the town's 15th annual Whale Festival, which brought in close to 60 000 visitors over the four days.

Visitors started arriving at the coastal hub on Friday for the start of the Hermanus Whale Festival, which ended on Monday.

Festival organising committee executive chairperson Glynis van Rooyen said that despite the numbers being slightly lower compared to last year, the festival was a great success.

"We believe we had about 60 000 people here, based on the vehicle count.

"There were close to 15 000 cars here and they were not local. They were in town for the festival.

"We were expecting something close to 80 000. It's a bit down from last year, but we had a really good weekend. For the first time ever we had three days of sunshine.

"The whales were, and still are, great. But everything (else) was well attended," said Van Rooyen.

While the whales were the main attraction, visitors were also treated to performances by culinary artists, musicians, crafters and sports celebrities.

Van Rooyen said the festival was virtually incident-free.

"There were no major incidents.

"Traffic was a problem for a while, with people trying to get into town.

"People going home might have problems, but we're really pleased with everything," said Van Rooyen.

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Hermanus accommodation

Cape Town International Jazz Festival

The Cape Town International Jazz Festival has grown into a hugely successful international event since its inception in the year 2000. Attendance figures have increased from the initial 14 000 to 32 000 in the last nine years.

The pre-festival concert has become a permanent feature of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival and is the festival’s commitment to community members who cannot make it to the paid sessions of the event.

Melodytrip has ranked this proudly South African event as No.4 in the world, outshining events such as Switzerland's Montreaux Festival and the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland.

The festival’s winning formula of bringing more than 40 international and local artists to perform over two days on five stages has earned it the status of being the most prestigious event on the African continent.

Known as Africa's Grandest Gathering, the festival which will be in its tenth year when it takes place on Friday 03 and Saturday 04 April 2009 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Once again Cape Town international Jazz festival will thrill loyal and new fans with world class music.

Workshops
The musical and training workshops offered at the festival are yet another endorsement of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival’s commitment to developing not only the industry, but the community as well. Well attended and supported by local musicians and industry professionals, the participants in the various workshops benefit directly from experts in their prospective fields.

Aimed not only developing musical and business skills, these non-threatening and co-operative forums provide practical skills that can be implemented immediately. Guided by dedicated professionals, the various workshops provide valuable, accessible and free information directly related to the industry.

Collaboration between the Festival, musicians and the media has ensured that participants at all the workshops benefit generously from the contributions of these professionals.

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Hermanus Bed & Breakfast