Hermanus, top destination for whale watching in South Africa

If you find yourself in South Africa between June and December, make sure to include Hermanus in your travel itinerary. This charming coastal town in the Western Cape is not just another destination; it’s renowned as one of the premier spots in the world for whale watching, especially for the majestic southern right whales. In this guide, we'll share our experience on a whale-watching tour in Hermanus and provide you with essential tips to fully enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty of the region.

Exploring Hermanus and the Southern Right Whales

Every year, from June to December, thousands of these magnificent creatures, reaching lengths of up to 18 meters, migrate along the South African coasts to breed, give birth, and nurture their calves. But what makes Hermanus such a prime location? The answer lies in the calm, shallow, and warm waters of Walker Bay, which create the perfect environment for these activities. Situated at one end of the bay, Hermanus has established itself as the ultimate departure point for whale watching tours and encounters with other cetaceans.

While you can spot up to three types of whales (southern right whales, humpback whales, and Bryde's whales), along with various marine life like dolphins, the famous African penguin, sunfish, Cape fur seals, and pelagic birds, the stars of the show are undoubtedly the southern right whales.

During their season, these gentle giants come close to the coast to mate and give birth, offering a unique opportunity to observe them in their natural habitat. We were fortunate enough to see many whales both from the boat and even from the shore, as they swim remarkably close to the beach—an exhilarating experience!

Here are some fascinating facts about these incredible animals:

• The southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) is among the largest whale species, with lengths exceeding 18 meters and weights reaching 60 tons.
• They are easily identifiable by the callosities on their heads, which are unique to each whale and often host barnacles.
• Their playful nature is evident in their acrobatic displays, including impressive leaps and tail slaps. We witnessed several jumping, so be ready with your camera!
• These whales are notably curious, often approaching boats, making sightings even more thrilling.
• Unfortunately, the southern right whale is considered an endangered species, primarily due to historical commercial whaling and ongoing threats such as entanglement in fishing gear, pollution, and climate change.

The main reason to book a boat tour in Hermanus is to get up close and personal with whales. Trust us; being next to these colossal animals is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you’re lucky enough to catch one breaching, it’s truly breathtaking. Guided by professionals who have extensive knowledge about these creatures, you’ll receive insights and tips on where to spot them.

Numerous companies offer 2-3 hour excursions around Hermanus for approximately 1,220 ZAR (about €60). After some research, we chose Southern Right Charters (you can book the whale-watching tour here), primarily for their larger, more robust boat, which provided a spacious interior and ample outdoor areas for a smaller group of passengers. We would definitely choose them again.

The tour typically lasts between 2 to 3 hours, depending on the sightings, and they boast a near 100% success rate in spotting whales (if not, they refund 50% or offer a free repeat tour). Drinks are also included.

The tour navigates along the coast (not far out to sea as expected), which generally means calmer waters, although this can vary. The whales come here specifically to nurture their young and teach them how to navigate the ocean and survive.

On the day we went, the sea was a bit choppy, making it challenging at first to spot the whales. However, once we did, the spectacle was nothing short of spectacular. We lost count but saw around ten whales, including mothers and their calves. The next day, we even spotted many breaching from the shore, although at a distance.

For more information on upcoming tours based on the sea conditions, check out their website, where you can find details about the boat, schedules, and various tour options.

Tips for Your Whale-Watching Boat Tour

Here are some recommendations to ensure you have the best possible experience on your boat tour from Hermanus:

• Rober tends to get seasick in rough conditions, so he took a motion sickness pill beforehand with no problems. The boat doesn’t provide medication, though they do offer seasickness wristbands; no one on our tour felt unwell. If you’re prone to motion sickness, take a pill about 30 minutes before departure.
• Book your tour well in advance since this is the most popular activity in Hermanus. We reserved ours a month ahead.
• During the season, there are departures throughout the day, but there isn’t a specific time that guarantees better sightings. We opted for an afternoon tour that worked for us, and we saw many whales, but we also spotted them from the coast the following morning.
• Pay attention to your guide; not only will you learn a lot about the whales, but they will also help you spot them.
• While all companies we encountered in Hermanus appeared to adhere to responsible tourism practices, it’s a good idea to do a little research (in our case, they didn’t feed the whales or use radar, just genuine adventure while maintaining a safe distance).
• Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a windbreaker.
• Leave your binoculars at home, as it can be hard to focus on a specific point with the boat's movement.

Other Things to See and Do in Hermanus

The town of Hermanus is one of the most delightful and picturesque places in the country, boasting a lively center filled with restaurants and cafes, scenic coastal walks, stunning viewpoints, and a relaxed atmosphere that captivates visitors. If you have extra time in your South Africa trip, consider spending a few days here; at the very least, stay overnight.

Take the time to explore at your leisure; here are our top recommendations for activities in Hermanus:

1. Stroll Along the Hermanus Cliff Path

The Hermanus Cliff Path is a picturesque trail stretching 12 kilometers along the coast, offering stunning ocean views and the chance to spot whales—this time, you can use binoculars!

Along the path, you'll discover several strategically placed viewpoints that provide panoramic views of the ocean and ideal spots for whale watching. We particularly recommend these two:

• Gearing’s Point: Our favorite spot, conveniently located in the heart of Hermanus. It's easily accessible for visitors and close to shops, restaurants, and other attractions. From here, we saw numerous whales breaching, including one near a group of kayakers—what a sight that must have been! Fun fact: this area is also home to a curious group of dassies (rock hyraxes).
• Sievers Point Lookout: This lookout provides breathtaking views of Walker Bay and is one of the most popular spots for observing whales at play.

2. Enjoy Wine or Beer Tasting at Birkenhead Brewery

This brewery, located near Hermanus, is celebrated for producing high-quality craft beers and local wines in a beautiful setting. We visited on our departure day (just a 15-minute drive) and thoroughly enjoyed it, sampling six beers for about €4 and trying their delicious baked camembert with granadilla jam.

Curiosity: The brewery's name comes from the HMS Birkenhead, a troopship of the Royal Navy that sank off the South African coast in 1852. The captain ordered "women and children first" as the ship was going down, a heroic act that saved many lives but cost the lives of many men.

3. Visit Grotto Beach

Although we didn’t go ourselves, we heard fantastic things about this beach, located just 3 km from Hermanus. It reportedly offers breathtaking views of Walker Bay and the whales along its impressive 18-kilometer stretch! At one end, you’ll find the Klipgat Caves, a series of coastal caves accessible via wooden walkways. There's a small entrance fee of 60 ZAR (about €3) to enter the Walker Bay Reserve.

Essential Information for Your Hermanus Trip

Here’s some useful information to help make your time in Hermanus perfect:

✓ Restaurants to Dine In Hermanus

The culinary scene in Hermanus is quite appealing, and although we only had dinner here once, we have several dining recommendations from our host. Here are some of our top picks:

• The Rock Restaurant, New Harbour Hermanus (€€): Perfect for enjoying fresh seafood!
• Burgundy Restaurant (€€): Another excellent spot for fish, with highly recommended calamari.
• The White Rabbit (€): A great place for burgers, often featuring live music.
• Ocean Basket Hermanus (€): A chain with good prices on seafood and fish dishes. We ordered the seafood platter for two, and it was quite tasty (though don’t expect a traditional Galician seafood feast).

✓ Where to Stay in Hermanus

We spent a night at 13 on 2nd Hermanus, a simple yet comfortable B&B where the welcoming owner made us feel at home. Breakfast was varied and plentiful. The only downside is its location in a suburban area on the outskirts of town (though close to Sievers Point), so you’ll need a car to get around; but if that doesn’t bother you, go for it!

Overall, Hermanus is an essential stop for anyone who loves nature and wants the opportunity to see southern right whales. Combine that with the town’s charm, a delicious culinary scene, and its stunning natural surroundings, and a visit to the whale capital of South Africa becomes an absolute must!

Are you now more excited about taking the whale-watching tour in Hermanus? If you’ve already been, what was your experience like?

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