Seeing a whale up close is truly one of the most remarkable safari experiences you will ever have. Although the Hermanus whaling season runs from June, the peak whale season, when daily sightings are virtually guaranteed, is during September and October. The town of Hermanus offers you the chance to view these gentle giants from either land, sea or air. Walk the Cliff Path Trail to view them from land, board a boat and view them next to you in the ocean water or take to the skies for a whale-watching helicopter flight. Hermanus also boasts its own “Whale Crier”, who wanders the cliff paths and calls out the locations of the whales throughout the day to everyone nearby.
Hermanus & Whale Route
Hermanus is situated on South Africa’s Whale Route, a route famous for its incredible whale-watching experiences, shark-cage diving, wineries and adventure activities.
The Whale-Watching Capital of South Africa
The popular modern resort town of Hermanus located only two hours from Cape Town has developed into a world-famous coastal tourist destination. Chosen as one of the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) best whale-watching destinations in the world, Hermanus is a breeding ground for Southern Right Whales. Although whaling season runs from June, the peak whale season, when daily sightings are virtually guaranteed, is during September and October. The secluded town further offers travelers access to a range of exciting outdoor activities, including hiking trails, beaches, shark-cage diving, boating, horse rides, whale cruises and flights. The Hermanus Wine Route is a short drive from town, with the Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven and Earth) Valley one of the highlights.
Hermanus
Gaansbaai
Kleinmond
Arniston
Unforgettable Whale-Watching from Anywhere
Gansbaai – Shark-Cage Diving Hub of South Africa
The Whale Route is also renowned for its shark activity, with Great White Sharks prevalent here, especially in the Gansbaai area. Gansbaai in South Africa boasts a large population of Great White Sharks and is also the only place you will be able to view these sharks and a few Southern Right Whales in the same vicinity. To get up close to these fierce creatures, you can book a shark-cage dive offering a combination of thrills, education, and relaxation on a luxury boat in the company of experienced shark experts and researchers. During the dive experience you can enjoy sightings of great whites, copper sharks and even the occasional stingray at your vessel.
Not only Whales, but Hiking, Wine and Adventure Too
Hermanus and the surrounding region are not only known for ocean-based safaris like whale-watching tours and shark-cage diving, but there are loads more to do in this area. When you have spent too much time on the beach, the nearby Fernkloof Nature Reserve is ideally situated within the Cape Floral Kingdom and offers a network of hiking trails, offering spectacular views of Walker Bay and the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. This fertile valley is also known for its beautiful wine estates offering wine tastings and delectable food-and-wine pairings. For those seeking adventure, Hermanus is also ideally situated for scuba diving, kayaking, paragliding, quad biking, mountain biking, and horse riding.
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