Well typically the whale season in hermanus is between june and december every year. Hermanus is most famous for becoming a whale wonderland each year as the bay literally teems with tons of whales from june to november. The hermanus whale watching tours south africa generally only operates during normal working hours and there wont usually be any type of. Whales in south africa hermanus message board tripadvisor. As you enter gansbaai on the r43 from hermanus, at the second four way stop turn right into voortrekker street. You can download the full version of the infographic as a pdf document for your. Located in hermanus, 7 on marine is a only a few steps away from the seafront. Whale watching in hermanus, south africa is the place on the planet to whales up close.
However i was very impressed with the operator, southern right charters, who informed us at 08h00 of the cancellation and i was contacted within a couple of hours by viator to offer me a reschedule or a refund. Could we do it later that evening or the next morning. A guide to whale watching in south africa flight centre uk. These majestic giants migrate to the south african waters. Whale watching in south africa is so popular that whales have joined the. I hope this helps you a bit my bottom line advice is to go to hermanus and enjoy it its at its best outside of the whale season because there are less crowds. Located on the seafront in hermanus, one marine drive boutique hotel features a sun terrace with heated outdoor pool. Please be aware that the whale watching season reopens june 2020 indicates. Whale watching season hermanus south africa southern right. Hermanus whale watching capital of south africa hermanus is a pretty coastal town on the indian ocean and surrounded by mountains. Whale season in hermanus blog home south african tours.
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. 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. Look out for ivanhoe sea safaris on the left hand side of the harbour. 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. Hermanus whale season whale watching hermanus 2019. Whale watching season in hermanus watch this topic. The season for whale watching along the east coast is expected to be.
We also boast one of the limited whale watching permits allocated country wide. On every visit to south africa whale watching is a must see. It is a popular weekend and holiday destination for south africans, as well as for o. Hermanus has a funny way of getting under your skin. Wondering whether to stop at hermanus for whale watching.
For whale watching at hermanus contact us whales and whale. Drive south on westcliff road and park at ficks pool. Hermanus in south africa is without a shadow of a doubt, the best and most productive destination for experiencing great white sharks and whales at close quarters anywhere in the world. Hermanus whale watching tours are the best way to see southern right whales, humpback whales and brydes whales at the southern tip of africa. 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. Giving you the best value for your money, we take you to south africa s beautiful whales and birds, without disturbing their natural behaviour. Whale watching south africa humpbacks, southern rights, bryde. The 10 best hotels near whale watching in hermanus, south africa. The best time for watching the southern right whale in south african waters is.
The whale town of hermanus is thrilled to have the southern right whales return back to our shores. Hermanus whale watching tours southern right charters south. Only 120 km from cape town, the pretty little town of hermanus is one of the worlds 12 best whale viewing sites. What is the best time for whale watching at hermanus. Whale watching boat trips hermanus walker bay adventures. Hermanus has been recognized by the wwf world wildlife fund as one of the 12 best whale watching destinations in the world.
Brydes whales are named after the norwegian consul to south africa, john bryde, who helped set up the first whaling station in durban. In addition the humpback and brydes whales can be seen during the peak season. Whale watching season hermanus south africa southern. It depends on traveling time to the hermanus whales on that trip. Location hermanus is situated in the western cape province of south africa, a short drive away from cape town. The whale watching season runs from june till early december. Incredibly perhaps, but whales can be seen from your seafront bedroom or restaurant table and are almost within reach of your fingertips when seen from the deck of a whale watching boat. During this time, southern right charters run whale watching trips from new harbour daily at 09h00, 12h00 and 15h00. Hermanus whale watching everything you need to know. Cape whale coastwhale watching on the cape whale coast.
The boatbased whale watching trip is not capped and is from 1hr 30m 3hrs maximum. Apartment hermanus whale view beach house, south africa. Southern right whales have been reported to still be in hermanus as late as early january. Hermanus in the western cape during the whale season.
I am a tour guide and take tourists all over the western and northern cape. South africa hotels south africa bed and breakfast south africa vacation rentals south africa vacation packages flights to south africa south africa restaurants things to do in south africa south africa travel forum south africa photos south africa travel guide all south africa hotels. It is a popular weekend and holiday destination for south africans, as well as for overseas visitors. Trip costs are valid for the whale watching the season from june december. Whales and whale watching in hermanus, south africa cape whale coast. Xplora tours, hermanus shark cage diving whale watching. 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. Hermanuswhale watching tours south africa dyer island cruises. Also beating in mind weather, would kynsa be worth goungbyo. It is famous for southern right whale watching during the southern winter to spring seasons, and is a popular retirement location, too. Dec 25, 2016 further south, the town of hermanus in walker bay on the cape south coast offers possibly the best landbased whale watching in the world.
The hermanus whale festival is a fitting way to mark the peak of the whale watching season at the end of september. Hermanus whale watching south africa lonely planet. We specialize in boat based whale watching and we pride ourselves in offering a uniquely personalized service to all our clients. The hermanus whale festival is one of the best whale educationals one could get, while having a spectacular time. Hermanus whale view beach front house self catering. Hi, we r heading from port elisabeth to capetown on 1519 july. Western cape seaside village of hermanus, during their annual september whale festival. 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. Frequently asked questions about southern right whales and whale watching in hermanus. Ivanhoe sea safaris is universally regarded as the leading boatbased whale watching company in south africa, near hermanus and operate from gansbaai harbour.
The tours are operated from the new harbour in hermanus and departs 3 to 4 times daily depending on the time of year and. The main whale festival occurs annually in hermanus on the garden route in south africa. The peak whale season runs from june to mid december, annually. How far away are hermanus and gansbaai, and is there public transportation that will run between the 2. Watch the worlds gentle giants of the deep frolic in waters of walker bay. Did you see the whales in table bay from a boat on the water or from the shore. Where to whale watch in south africa fodors travel guide. Hermanus is one of the most popular places for whale watching in south africa and rightfully so. The town even has the hermanus whale festival which takes place annually around the end of septemberbeginning of october. 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. You do get other whales visiting the shores but that is much more hit and miss. Whale watching in hermanus hermanus whales xplorio. Jul 22, 20 hermanus in the western cape during the whale season.
If you read the other comments, there seems to be a complete disconnect concerning visiting hermanus, at least at the cliffs. Hermanus outside whale season south africa forum tripadvisor. The hermanus whales arrive in june and stick around until middecember. Sep 18, 2017 whale, whale, whale, what have we here. With the whale watching season for 2012 days away from drawing to a close, southern right charters would like to share this video with you and thank everyone for their support and for all the. Hermanus becomes a hive of activity with hustle and bustle every year during the last week of september, which is the official whale festival week. The best time to enjoy whale watching in hermanus is between july and. From what ive read, the whale watching season in hermanus runs until december. Whale watching season in hermanus hermanus message board.
To alert onlookers, a whale crier sounds his kelp horn when he spots whales off the hermanus coastline. Find hotels near whale watching, south africa online. Whale watching south africa humpbacks, southern rights. Whale watching season in hermanus cape town magazine. Whale watching season, boat trips in hermanus, south africa. 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. Best whale watching spot in hermanus, south africa. Take the next right into hawe street and continue into the harbour. Southern right whales migrate to the bay and use their time here to mate and calve. It is one of the worlds best landbased whale watching spots. Hermanus is situated in the western cape province of south africa, a short drive away from cape town. Whale watching hermanus 2020 all you need to know before.
Whale watching hermanus offers amazing boat based whale. The whale viewing during the months of july and august vary from year to year with regards to how many whales are. Peak calving season is july and august, but whales can be seen. South africa retains its position as the fifth fastestgrowing whale watching destination in the world.
The exact date all depends when the star performers arrive and depart. This south african holiday route hugs the coast through the most crowded parts of this giant whale nursery, where in season you can see up to 20 at play at a time. On the western cape, hermanus and gansbaai are the 2 main areas for whale watching, either boatbased or landbased. Whale watching hermanus offers amazing boat based trips to. For its scenic beauty alone, hermanus is one of south africas cape gems. Also, how long do people tend to stay at hermanus for whale watching, 34 hours type thing. Hermanus whales whale season hermanus southern right. Views boutique hotel, robberg beach lodge, pezula hotel, the turbine boutique hotel. Unfortunately our hermanus whale watching was cancelled due to poor weather.
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 peak time, when daily sightings are virtually guaranteed, is during september and october. Every single one of my clients have commented on how clean it is. Whale watching season in hermanus hermanus whales xplorio.
Whale watching season in hermanus is june to late nov each year. Contact us whale watching in south africa hermanus. Remember, boats fill up quick, so contact us to book this incredible experience today. It is whale watching season in hermanus the best landbased whale watching spot in the world. 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.
Theres no better place than south africa to witness the seas most. Without a doubt the worlds best land based whale watching spot. The hermanus whale festival is one of the most exciting festivals in south africa. The curious humpback whale can be seen between may to december, moving up along the coast from hermanus to st lucia in kwazulunatal. Hermanus is lucky to the host the bulk of the southern right whales that migrate to the south african coastline. Whale watching season in hermanus hermanus forum tripadvisor. Also, how long do people tend to stay at hermanus for whalewatching, 3. Hermanus whale watching best close encounters, purpose. Last days of whale watching in hermanus for 2012 youtube. The animals can be clearly seen from a scenic clifftop walk, and the town holds a whalewatching festival every. Yes the big 5, table mountain, and a spectacular flower season, but this month we celebrate the whale season in south africa and the gentle giants of the sea as they grace our coastlines with their presence. It is a paradise for sea lovers and whale watchers at heart. Hermanus whale watching season runs from june to december however, these are wild animals and should the whales change their migration schedule arrive early and leave later we will adjust our schedule accordingly.
We boast south africas largest boatbased whale identity catalog and we see resightings of the same individual whales year after year. We werent always this lucky whale hunters took a devastating toll on numbers from the 1800s onwards, and as whales with calves were the main targets, the population plummeted. 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. The route traverses several famous protected areas, including the garden route, tsitsikamma national park, and the transkei. These massive creatures can be viewed from the shore, from boats or even planes. The best time for watching the southern right whale along the cape south coast is between june to november, with peak calving season in july and august. South africa is one of the best destinations worldwide for watching whales and dolphins. Jul 01, 2018 hermanus is a small town on the coast of the western cape province of south africa, but during whale season, it becomes the whale spotting capital of the country. Hermanus the whale watching capital of south africa. Is it worth going to hermanus for a couple of days.
Further south, the town of hermanus in walker bay on the cape south coast offers possibly the best landbased whalewatching in the world. Unfortunately, due the adverse sea conditions, whale watching hermanus had to cancel all their boat trips for. It offers some of the best watching in the world, both from the shore and from the water. 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. Spend some time gazing out to see over walker bay and youre sure to spot a whale or two. Whalewatching at hermanus south africa lonely planet. Best time for whale watching in south africa rhino africa. Dec 04, 2012 with the whale watching season for 2012 days away from drawing to a close, southern right charters would like to share this video with you and thank everyone for their support and for all the.
Only 16 permits have been issued countrywide to ensure regulation of the industry and minimum intrusion on the whales who come to the warmer waters of the south to mate. South africa tourism south africa hotels south africa bed and breakfast south africa vacation rentals south africa vacation packages flights to south africa. Brush up on your lingo, and watch several different types of whales showing off their breaching, fluking, lobtailing, logging, spouting and spyhopping. The whale watching boat trip was to be one of the highlights of our holiday to south africa. Aug 26, 20 theres no better place than south africa to witness the seas most. The whale route starts along the south of cape town and extends to durban, 1,200 plus miles of whale watching coastline. The animals can be clearly seen from a scenic clifftop walk, and the town holds a whale watching festival every september. 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. The whale viewing during the months of july and august vary from year to year with regards to how many whales are present in walker bay and along the coast. Book an unforgettable whale watching trip today with hermanus whale watchers, a boatbased whale watching company in south africa. At the next stop please turn left into kerk street. But the southern right whale season is june to november. Hermanus is the mecca for whale watching during the southern hemispheres winter months.
Whale watching hermanus what you need to know before you go. Steam train rides turtle tours walking safaris whale watching. Hermanus whale watching south africa lonely planet forum. At least 37 species of whales and dolphins can be found in the waters off south africa.
What is the best time for whalewatching at hermanus. For whale watching at hermanus contact us whales and. Contact us at whale hermanus to discuss all your whale, whale watching boat trips, activities, tours and accommodation wishes while on holiday in hermanus. 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. It has been recorded that walker bay has played host to over 100 whales at a time. Whale watching faqs and quick info hermanus whale watchers. Whale watching is one of the major attractions of the western cape. 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. Oct 30, 2017 hermanus is one of the most popular places for whale watching in south africa and rightfully so. Whale watching in hermanus, cape overberg, south africa.