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. Approximately an hour and a half away from cape town is the seaside town of hermanus. Hermanus whale view beach house is located in hermanus, 1. The whale crier of hermanus is the only whale crier in the world. Hermanus whale watching tours the hermanus whale 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 whale watching near cape town, gansbaai in south.
During the season from july to november whale sightings are. Hermanus is a town on the southern coast of the western cape province of south africa. The peak time, when daily sightings are virtually guaranteed, is during september and october. Privately charter the boat, no matter if you are a small family group or a large corporate wishing to charter the boat, we offer this exclusivity all year round for any of our trips whale watching, eco marine watching for the avid photographer or experience our magnificent sunset trip. Hermanus whale view beach front house self catering. Watch the worlds gentle giants of the deep frolic in waters of walker bay. Observe the whales a few metres from the shore from the worlds most exciting whalewatch venue in hermanus an experience to be treasured. My friend and i are trying to plan it so that we can leave cape town and hit both gansbaai for great white shark cage diving and hermanus for whale watching before we head out to the garden route as opposed to doing these both as day trips from cape town. Hermanus is generally considered the best landbased whale watching destination in the world. Remember, boats fill up quick, so contact us to book this incredible experience today. Prices for all activities, tours and adventures in hermanus. From june to december, the bay becomes the swimming grounds for a large number of southern right whales. Just a 2 hour drive from cape town to the whale capital of.
Whale coast hotel in hermanus cape towns unique no. Book an unforgettable hermanus whale watching trip with southern right charters. Jan 22, 2014 hermanus is a town located along walker bay on the southern coast of the western cape province of south africa. With hulking cape fold belt mountains rising up toward the heavens to its back, the botrivier and kleinrivier lagoons unravelling majestically at its hips and misty cliffs dropping away to give reach to the sparkling atlantic ocean at its feet, the seaside village of hermanus is a whisper of mans presence in the. Cape town discovery is an owner managed tour operation with a distinctly hands on, personable approach and would take great pleasure in introducing you to our beautiful part of the world. Hi, we will be on a 2 week tour of south africa in early october and will be driving from cape town to hermanus for a 2 night stay we have never been whale watching before so are keen for the best experience possible. Whales and whale watching in hermanus, south africa cape.
Situated on the southern coast of the western cape, hermanus enjoys an exceptional spring and summer season offering visitors all of its many outdoor. The ultimate guide to whale watching in hermanus cape town. It is famous for southern right whale watching during the southern winter to spring seasons, and is a popular retirement location, too. Hermanus is an awesome seaside resort in walker bay one hour from cape town which offers the best whale viewing from land in the world. But this portion of the coastline, which includes the towns of kleinmond, hermanus. Whale away guest house is 75 mi from cape town and on the scenic route between cape town and the garden route. Aug 29, 2014 hermanus, a 90minute scenic drive from cape town on south africas whale coast and garden route, is rightfully known as one of the best places in the world to watch whales. Whale watching near cape town in hermanus this video was filmed and edited by a guest on the. Hermanus is a small coastal town in the western cape, about an hours drive from cape town. Our custom built whale watching boat launches from the quaint fishing harbour of gansbaai, which is a 35minute scenic drive from hermanus, and a 2hour drive from cape town. These majestic giants migrate to the south african waters. 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. As well as land based viewing, we are very keen to do a whale watching boat trip, but after much research we are still not sure which boat to choose. After the whale watchine in hermanus, on your way back to cape town, dont miss the fernkloof nature reserve.
The job was created by the city in 1992 and has since been taken up by several men. Whale watching season in hermanus cape towns unique no. 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 offers some fine landbased viewing opportunities because the whales often come within metres of the shoreline. This friendly and quaint town is situated about 120km one and a half hour drive from cape town, south africa and is easily accessible by car, private courier and taxi from cape town. Hermanus is a town located along walker bay on the southern coast of the western cape province of south africa.
Whale watching in the western cape south africa travel news. This nature reserve hosts 1,400 different species of flowers, that is to say almost as much as in ireland. This is one of the top whale watching spots in the world. Hermanus, a 90minute scenic drive from cape town on south africas whale coast and garden route, is rightfully known as one of the best places in the world to watch whales. In fact, this is one of the few places on the planet in which the whales can be seen from coastal. Launching from the harbor of gansbaai, you take a spectacular 2hour whale watching experience. Whale and bird watching what you can expect a typical trip with dyer island cruises. Our hermanus whale tours usually start between 8 and 9am with pickups from your hotel within cape town city centre or immediate surrounds and you can expect to be back at your hotel between 6 and 7pm. Along the cape whale coast the area between rooiels pringle bay and pearly beach. Whale watching hermanus offers boat based whale watching trips to see southern right whales that visit our bay every year between june and december to mate or give birth to a young calf. Observe the whales a few metres from the shore from the worlds most exciting whale watch venue in hermanus an experience to be treasured. This includes the likes of wesgro, cape town tourism, cape winelands and sa tourism, amongst others.
Not strictly true, as the cape whale route stretches for over 900 kilometres, from doringbaai on the west coast, all the way to storms river mouth on the garden route. Couples in particular like the location they rated it 8. Cape point cape of good hope reserve r320 adults r160 kids under 11yrs safari park from r1940 kids under 11yrs half price 3 hour game drive located 3 hours from hermanus or cape town minibus transfers are a total of r5000 3 person cars are r3800 full 12 hour day activity. Cape town whale watching in hermanus and wine tasting. This nature reserve hosts 1,400 different species of flowers, that is. A popular holiday destination for tourists and locals alike, hermanus is hailed as offering the best land based whale watching in the world.
In light of the current global health situation with regards to the coronavirus disease covid19 we want to reassure you that we are in contact with key role players on a daily basis. Whale watching in hermanus, near cape town youtube. Hermanus is a lovely coastal area of south africa about a 90minute drive from cape town. Hermanus whale watching is renowned for the most prolific whale viewing experience in the world. African eagle cape town watch whales at hermanus private. This rare attraction has resulted in a thriving tourism industry and the locals welcome ecotourists from all over the world to visit their whale sanctuary. Please give yourself 2 hours of traveling time from cape town city centre so you can arrive 30 minutes prior to your whale watching trip. Cape town whale watching whale watching in hermanus, cape town. Whale watching season in hermanus hermanus whales xplorio. Cape town with just a month to go to the hermanus whale festival, the whales have already made an appearance, with social media aflutter with posts of sightings and breachings. Cape town whale watching in hermanus and a visit of the hemmel en aarde valley.
Hermanus whale watching near cape town, gansbaai in south africa. Enjoy a scenic 2hour drive from cape town, explore the natural beauty as we take you to the best whale watching location on the south african coast line. It is famous for southern right whale watching during the southern winter and spring. Hermanus is rated as one of the top 12 whale watching locations in the world by the world wildlife fund. Please ensure you are at the new harbor in hermanus 30 minutes prior to your whale watching boat departing. Hermanus is situated on the stunning south coast of the western cape 90mins from cape town and is famous for its incredible viewings of southern right. Dec 25, 2016 further south, the town of hermanus in walker bay on the cape south coast offers possibly the best landbased whalewatching in the world. Hermanus whale view beach house takes a front row seat on a breath taking private rocky beach a mere 30m from the crashing waves in hermanus, cape town, south africa.
The old harbour museum has a number of relics left over from this era. Hermanus has been recognized by the wwf world wildlife fund as one of the 12 best whale watching destinations in the world. Hermanus is famous for boat based whale watching trips to see southern right whales in their natural environment and in a responsible manner. Hermanus whale watching tours cape town private tours. Hermanus whale watching tours southern right charters south. We have never been whale watching before so are keen for the best experience possible. Whale watching in hermanus or simons town close to cape town. Private charters whale watching in south africa hermanus. Gansbaai is the true gem and the place we find the most eco and ethical local operator who takes you out for a 2hr boat trip to visit the whales. Its 14,000ha area offers a wonderful view of the ocean. It is less than two hours drive from cape town via a scenic route.
Hermanus whale festival is celebrating the return of the migrating southern right whales during the only ecomarine festival in south africa. There are viewing terraces at the old harbour, and gearings point is a popular spot. Whale watching is one of the major attractions of the western cape. Cape town whale watching whale watching in hermanus. Please complete this form for loads more information and to book your trip. Watch the southern right whales just off the coast as they mate and give birth seasonal. 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. When you book a trip with us, the evening before your tour we will contact you or your accommodation to confirm the time of your tour. But, it is so much more than the mothers city little neighbour. Hermanus is famous for being inhabited by southern right whales every year between june and december. Its also where youre likely to find the hermanus whale crier. The whales migrate from the antarctic around june for mating and breeding. Whale watching tours cape town spend a full day in hermanus to see the majestic southern right whales play in the lagoon, while also exploring other attactions along the way. Hermanus, in the heart of the whale route, is just 127km from cape town on the cape south coast.
Apartment hermanus whale view beach house, south africa. Hermanus is generally considered the best landbased whalewatching destination in the world. Head towards hermanus along white pearly beaches and. Whale watching hermanus what you need to know before you. When whales migrate to beautiful hermanus to mate and calve it is the job of the whale crier the only one in the world. 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. Just a 2 hour drive from cape town to the whale capital of the world hermanus, launching from gansbaai. A cliff path stretching from one side of the town to the other, hugs the coastline for about 12 km giving whale watchers unlimited opportunities to study the gentle giants sometimes within 20m in the coves below or lolling just beyond the breakers. The southern right whale and the humpback whale comes 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. Fullday whale watching in hermanus from cape town 2020. Join gary flynn of cape discovery tours for a full day of whale watching. Enjoy the natural beauty of the scenic drive from cape town to hermanus. Whale watching in hermanus is regarded as the place on the planet to view southern right whales. When the whale crier spots a whale, he lets everyone know by blowing a big horn.
The apartment is in an area where guests can engage in activities such as fishing and hiking. The whale watching boat trip will take about two hours. Hi i am going to have a day in hermanus travelling through in 2 weeks time. Fairest cape meander hermanus whale watching private. The cape town whale watching tour starts at your cape town hotel. The town of hermanus is renowned for having the best landbased whale watching in the world. Call cape holidays to check if there are whales, where they are along the side of the road and to book your whale watching boat trip in simons town.
Whale watching tour cape town hermanus gansbaai whale and dolphin watching tour. Visit the harold porter botanical gardens on the way back from this whale watching tour. Enjoy a scenic 2hour drive from cape town as you explore the beautiful coastline on the way to gansbaai. Discover the whale route from cape town to hermanus african. I would really like to see some whales, i was wondering if i should go on a boat trip or if walking the cliff path would be better. Oct 30, 2017 the town even has the hermanus whale festival which takes place annually around the end of septemberbeginning of october. Wine tours of hermanus and the amazing winelands of cape town, stellenbosch and beyond with percy tours of hermanus. The voelklip and grotto beaches are perfect for whale spotting and watching, especially on the rocks above the sea. Whale watching hermanus offers amazing boat based trips to.
Discover the whale route from cape town to hermanus. Conveniently, near the historic old harbour, the famous hermanus cliff path and nearby shops, restaurants and art galleries. About hermanus on the cape whale coast overberg world renowned for the best land and sea based whale watching, hermanus has become the premium destination for visitors to south africas shores. Further south, the town of hermanus in walker bay on the cape south coast offers possibly the best landbased whalewatching in the world. Although the southern right whale is the most prolific species in the bay, it is. Hermanus whale watching best close encounters, purpose. The whale viewing during the months of july and august vary from year to year with regards to how many whales are. As wed already done a boat trip, we skipped the whale watching tours offered from hermanus and instead opted for the magnificent whale hiking trail. Land and whale boat watching can be enjoyed in the holiday town of hermanus. The animals can be clearly seen from a scenic clifftop walk, and the town holds a whalewatching festival every september.
Whale watching season in hermanus offers a spectacular experience for all visitors. It has developed from a rustic whaling and fishing village. Whale watching in south africa home brand south africa. Whale watching in hermanus hermanus whales xplorio. Whalewatching at hermanus south africa lonely planet. Hi, we will be on a 2 week tour of south africa in early october and will be driving from cape town to hermanus for a 2 night stay. Head for the coastal town of hermanus for a day of whale watching from cape town. The town was once a prime whaling station, and with its sheltered bay that draws the whales to this area each year, hermanus was one of the more lucrative whaling stations in south africa. South african whale watching boat tours with dyer island cruises. Whale watching tour to hermanus between june and november each year, southern right whales come close in shore to walker bay to calve and nurse their young. Hermanus is the capital of the cape whale coast, and about an hour from cape town in south africa. Humpbacks and brydes whales are mostly spotted offshore from boats, but by far the most commonly sighted species, either from land or from a boat, is the southern right whale. 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.