Whale watching shouldn’t be strenuous affair in Hermanus.
Take note of these simple DOs and DON’Ts and let the whales take care of the rest.
DO brush up on your whale lingo
Is a callosity a large city? Is spyhopping what James Bond does in his spare time? Nope, these are all words that describe southern right whales’ awesome appearance and wacky antics. To find out what breaching and lobtailing mean, visit the Whale House Museum in Hermanus’ Market Square. Engaging and informative installations provide the lowdown on the whales’ wow factor. Or see this whale behaviour first hand whilst partaking in some boat based whale watching
DON’T be in a hurry
Mother Nature has a way of taking her time, and so she should. Don’t expect to see a breaching whale within two minutes of arriving in Hermanus. While the southern right whales are ‘guaranteed’ to be in Walker Bay from during season, you may have to kick back, relax and patiently scan the deep waters while absorbing the magic of every moment.
DO explore
It’s tempting to sit for hours at any one of the prime whale-watching spots in Hermanus. You’re free to do that, of course, but do also make time to explore. The 11km+ coastal cliff paths that skirt Hermanus offer different vantage points for land-based whale watching. There are benches along the way, so you needn’t sacrifice those lingering breaks. You can also spot whales from Fernkloof Nature Reserve, which looks down on Hermanus. There are more than 50km of trails, from one-hour meanders to five-hour slogs. Views over Walker Bay dominate all the while.
DON’T forget your binoculars
You’ll want to be able to see those callosities and observe the lobtailing while you’re out on your walkabout. Beg, steal or borrow a pair of binoculars and don’t forget your camera either. Hermanus’ fresh air and clear skies make for ideal photography conditions.
DO extend your ‘bucket list’ with experiencing boat based whale watching
You can get within 50m of the southern right whales – no binoculars required! Find out just how gentle and curious these marine giants are when you hop on-board a boat with Southern Right Charters – Expect not only southern right whales as this tour can extend into a marine safari with sightings of humpback & Bryde’s whales, seals, dolphins and a variety of marine birds including the African penguin.
DON’T miss the Whale Crier of Hermanus
Look out for the man with the feather in his hat and the big black-and-white board around his neck. He’s the famous Whale Crier of Hermanus and the only one of his kind in the world. During whale season, you’ll hear the unmistakable sound of his kelp horn, blown to alert visitors’ to the whales’ position. Have your picture taken with him – the sound should be enough to lead you right to him as he walks up and down the Hermanus coastline between 10am and 4pm from June to December.
