Well typically the whale season in hermanus is between june and december every year. If you decide to come to hermanus during the whales season july to december plan several days on site to be able to see them. A study prepared for international fund for animal welfare in 2009 estimated that million people went whale watching globally in 2008. Hermanus is famous for boat based whale watching trips to see southern right whales in their natural environment and in a responsible manner. I have never known if it is the laid back atmosphere of a seaside town, the claimed most oxygenated air in the world or the proximity of spectacular nature so close to you at all times all i know is that it is a special place. Wedged between the mountain and the sea, the quaint hamlet of hermanus has been rated by the world wildlife fund wwf as one of the twelve best whale watching locations in the world, and it is often regarded as the heart of the whale route. Whales in hermanus at the festival hairy one travels. Hermanus whales is about the photographic journey of the gentle giants that visit our shores annually. Each year from june to november, tourists and south africans alike but mostly tourists flock to enjoy hermanus whale watching season in its peak.
It is famous for southern right whale watching during the southern winter to spring seasons, and is a popular retirement location, too. Given that whale season has already started, it is very likely that walker bay will once again see a huge amount of southern right whales taking to its shores this year. Visitors from all over the world descend to this attractive former fishing village to see the famous southern right whales that come here every year to mate and calve. In terms of food, however, there are plenty of places in hermanus town that offer better quality food and lower prices. The seaside town of hermanus will, once again, play host to over 100 000 visitors, with the imminent arrival of the historic hermanus whale festival. 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 towns walker bay. The whale watching season runs from june till early december. Another discerning factor is the vshaped blowhole atop their heads. Summer is the best time to see them close to shore, particularly december to march. I will be in south africa in early january and really want to see some whales, but i dont want to spend a lot of time in hermanus if there are no whales.
Review of cape whale coast, hermanus, south africa tripadvisor. The whale viewing during the months of july and august vary from year to year with regards to how many whales are. Whale watching season in hermanus hermanus whales xplorio. Hermanus is regarded as the whale watching capital of south africa and there are few better ways to see these gentle giants in their natural environment than on a boat based whale watching trip. A scenic discovery of the fairest cape of them all, including cape point, cape of good hope, the penguin colony at boulders beach, chapmans peak and optional kirstenbosch botanical gardens. The mediumsized brydes whale can be spotted all year round, and while rare, orcas can also be seen.
Hermanus has been recognized by the wwf world wildlife fund as one of the 12 best whale watching destinations in the world. A whale of a season as southern right numbers rise. Hermanus whale watching south africa lonely planet. Of course, if you want to come up close to the whales you need to get on the boat. Hermanus whale season whale watching hermanus 2020. The vacation home features 4 separate bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen with a dining area, and a flat. The hermanus whale festival is the annual event that celebrates the southern right whales that frequent walker bay from july to december. Season 2015 has had some incredible moments and these are just a few of many that will stay with us forever. Official city tour 90 minutes of spectacular scenery live guided by local expert guide whale watching during whale season adult. Hermanus comes alive from june to december with the arrival of the whales in walker bay. Hermanus travels whales and seafood hairy one travels. Hermanus is a town in the western cape area of south africa, a bit over an hours drive from cape town. Hermanus whale watching everything you need to know.
Some years the southern right whales have arrived as early as april but the usual time for them to start arriving is at the end of may. This is when southern right whales migrate to walker bay en masse. The event takes place on the point on hermanus cliffs, where the migration route goes through. We discovered that the hermanus restaurants also serve great seafood, and that the local winelands produce some good wine. Not only is the large population of whales and sharks unparalleled elsewhere, but the locations are so accessible and in close proximity to land, that you are virtually guaranteed to witness numerous animals. Did you see the whales in table bay from a boat on the water or from the shore.
These whales are so big they need to eat 600 kg of fresh fish every single day. The hermanus whale festival is by far the biggest festival held in hermanus, attracting over 150000. The peak whale season runs from june to mid december, annually. Thank you to all of our guests this season and the. Whale watching season in hermanus offers a spectacular experience for all visitors. Wine lovers will experience another treasure of hermanus. Hermanus is a pretty coastal town on the indian ocean and surrounded by mountains. Hermanus whales hermanus new harbour, 7200 hermanus, western cape rated 4. Peak calving season is july and august, but whales can be seen through september and october. Celebrating its 24th year as the only enviroarts festival in south africa, the festival takes place from 2 4 october in 2015. But today the southern right whale were on the other side of the bay and you needed to get on the boat. Hermanus is the capital of the cape whale coast, and whale season runs from june to december every year. Whale sightings during the months of july and august vary.
If you read the other comments, there seems to be a complete disconnect concerning visiting hermanus, at least at the cliffs. Between july and november whales come to the area, known as walker bay, and are visible from the shore. And during the world famous whale season it is of course even more exciting. The whales are returning to hermanus for their annual breeding season, right on time. Hermanus is a really beautiful place and they had places where you could sit ashore to watch the whales from shore. Southern right whales come to visit hermanus shores to give birth or to find a mate every year between june and december. This coastal village doesnt only offer superb whale watching from the cliffs or if you not adverse of going to sea, there is also boatbased whale watching, but other natural attractions too such as mountain walks and bird watching, not to mention the.
It depends on traveling time to the hermanus whales on that trip. Hermanus in south africa is a region blessed with natural beauty, unique wildlife and geological awe, making it no surprise that this is arguably the best whale watching spot in the world and it lies just 90 minutes from cape town international each year, southern right whales migrate from their feeding grounds in the arctic to the warmer waters of the cape coast to mate, calve and put on a. Adult brydes whales measure 1214 metres and can weigh up to 25 tons. See more ideas about south africa, africa and whale. Whale watching season in hermanus hermanus message board. The tours are operated from the new harbour in hermanus and departs 3 to 4 times daily depending on the time of year and weather and sea conditions. We specialize in boat based whale watching and we pride ourselves in offering a uniquely personalized service to all our clients.
A whale of a season as southern right numbers rise hermanus. Watch the worlds gentle giants of the deep frolic in waters of walker bay. Whales put on a spectacular show during mating season in hermanus. With southern right whales, orcas aka killer whales and probably also some other kind of whales i dont remember, its some of the best landbased whale watching in the world. Here, the southern rights mate, birth, and raise their calves until old enough to take to the open seas. The boatbased whale watching trip is not capped and is from 1hr 30m 3hrs maximum.
Brydes whales can be seen close to hermanus all year round. Its all about the whales here, so much so, hermanus hosts an annual 3day whale. Whale season 2015 starts soon walker bay gansbaai whale. The various whales that visit hermanus during breeding season start making their way to the shores between may and july, spending time meeting up, mating and eventually giving birth to their calves. Hermanus whales whale season hermanus southern right. 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. There are also many hikes in the fernkloof nature reserve for the windy days when you cannot watch the whales.
The best months to see whales in hermanus during the whale season is between july to november. The time will soon be upon us when southern right whales start to arrive, our whale season starts in june and ends towards the later part of december. Children r600pp under 12 children free under 3 enquire for discount rates for groups of 10 or more. If you dont make it to hermanus during whalewatching season. Although the southern right whale is the most prolific. Hermanus is a small town on the coast of the western cape province of south africa, but during whale season, it becomes the whalespotting capital of the country. Whale watching boat trips hermanus walker bay adventures. Hermanus is the mecca for whale watching during the southern hemispheres winter months. I spent 2 hours watching whales breach and i must admit that seeing them so close to shore is an amazing experience.
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. It has been recorded that walker bay has played host to over 100 whales at a time. Published on nov 20, 2015 season 2015 has had some incredible moments and these are just a few of many that will stay with us forever. Southern right charters hermanus whale watching whales. Hermanus is a small town in the western cape of south africa. Located a 5minute walk from voelklip beach, the property has barbecue facilities and free private parking. Whale season 2015 starts soon walker bay gansbaai whale viewing south africa.
Its because of this that the whales choose to make their way to hermanus in the winter months, when the sun is weaker and the waters cooler. They come to watch a natural phenomenon migration of whales. Hermanus whale festival event in hermanus, western cape. Thank you to all of our guests this season and the communities of augusta and busselton. Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. Book an unforgettable hermanus whale watching trip with southern right charters. From what ive read, the whale watching season in hermanus runs until december. However, the main whale season starts in july and ends in december. Whale watching is mostly a recreational activity cf. Hermanus in south africa is considered to be the worlds premier site for watching whales and the many people who flock there during the whale season of june to late november, look forward to catching sight of these intelligent creatures playing in the water. The hermanus whale festival, the only enviroarts festival in south africa, is held annually to celebrate the return of the southern right whales to the waters of walker bay, our magnificent environment and the arrival of spring hermanus, known as the best land based whale watching destination in the world, plays host to thousands of visitors who flock to. Whale watching hermanus offers amazing boat based trips to. Ivanhoe sea safaris is universally regarded as the leading boatbased whale watching company in south africa, near hermanus and operate from gansbaai harbour. Boasting some of the best landbased whale watching in the world and the renowned whale crier, it no wonder the festival has become so.
We also boast one of the limited whale watching permits allocated country wide. The tour lasts two hours in a whole and most of the time you are able to spot the whales. Matthew lewin offers a guide to spotting southern right whales. Lots of tourists and visitors participate in endemic sport competitions and enjoy the local food. Whale watching in south africa home brand south africa. It is known for the whale breeding season, during which it is a great spot for whale watching. Whale watching in hermanus close to cape town in south africa on the famous whale coast route. The curious humpback whale can be seen between may to december, moving up along the coast from hermanus to st lucia in kwazulunatal. Hermanus has a funny way of getting under your skin. It is famous for southern right whale watching during the southern winter to spring seasons, and is a popular retirement location. Remember, boats fill up quick, so contact us to book this incredible experience today. The exact date all depends when the star performers arrive and depart. The whale season reaches its climax during the annual whale festival in september. The albino whales are even more at risk to this and are therefore rarely seen.
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