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Whale Watching Photo By Andrew Riedel – .

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Whale Watching, Hermanus

Hermanus is a coastal town South of Western Cape Province, South Africa. It lies on Walker Bay, the most famous land-based whale watching bay in Africa.

Whales became a chosen tourist attraction in the 1990s. Whales in Hermanus mostly swim along the coastline during the Southern Hemisphere winter months of June and early November. The largest number of whales spotted at Walker Bay in a day was 196!

1. Hermanus Town First Began As A Harbor

Hermanus Old Harbour Photo By Olga Ernst –

In the 1800s, a farmer named Hermanus Pieters was in search of better pastures for his livestock. He came across an area with fresh water springs and green grazing pastures. He decided to settle here and soon after word of the beautiful landscape spread and attracted more settlers. The town was named Hermanus in his honour.

By 1890, the town had already built schools, churches, and various shops. Hermanus received its status as a municipality in 1904 and the population increase lead to its development from an old harbour to a town.

The Old Harbour was declared a museum in 1972. Today, it showcases historic fishing boats along the slopes, coastal fine plants along the cliffs and indigenous South African/ Dutch food.

2. Hermanus Had the First Whale Crier in the World

Whale crier of Hermanus in South Africa (2015) Photo by Olga Ernst –

Pieter Classen was the first and only whale crier of the 20^th century (1992). He was an employee at the Old Harbour in Hermanus. He was a guest of honour at the annual Town Crier’s Competition and participated in a whale watching presentation in Topshan, United Kingdom.

Classen’s growth in popularity influenced the publicization of Hermanus as a tourist destination. After 1998, he was succeeded by Wilson Salukazana until 2006 when Goldeck Baleni stepped in.

Bravo Thembinkosi Sobazile is the current whale crier in South Africa. The book The Whale Caller (2005) by Zakes Mda was written based on the story of the whale crier of Hermanus. It was later made into a movie in 2006.

3. It Has Various Whale Watching Destinations

Walker Bay has several places in South Africa where one can watch whales in their natural habitat. Dyer Islands Cruises in Franskraalstrand has a big 5 cruise where people get to see whales, sharks, penguins, seals, and dolphins.

Southern Right Charters, Hermanus Whale Watchers, Whale Watching Hermanus, Ocean Blue Adventures, Boat-Based Whale Watching, and Ivanhoe Sea Safaris are some of the facilities that offer whale watching packages.

4. It Has Both Water-based and Land-based Whale Watching

Tourist watching the Humpback whale Photo By Brigitte Werner –

One can watch the whales by either a boat trip, on cliffs-tops, or by air. The whales are quite a sight to see as they are playful and occasionally enjoy rising through the water surface to dive back down the sea with a huge splash. The Hermanus promenade stretches along cliff tops which from great viewpoints to watch the whales as they swim.

Cessna 3-seater planes and helicopters fly over the whales, ocean, and beaches for a breath-taking view of the animals in their natural element. Licensed operators conduct these ocean safaris throughout the year.

5. Southern Right Whale is the Most Common Whale in Hermanus

The Southern Right Whale is found in oceans that are 20⁰ to 60⁰  South of the Equator. They are one of the largest whale species in the world. They are known for their unique behaviour of catching the wind using their elevated flukes and remaining in the same position for quite some time.

According to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wildlife Fauna and Flora, the Right Whale is listed as one of the endangered cetacean species in the world. Aside from the Right Whales, other whale species include the Humpbacks and Bryde’s Whales.

6. Hermanus is Part of The Walker Bay Nature Reserve

Coastline at Hermanus, Walker Bay’ ‘(South Africa) Photo By Olga Ernst –

Hermanus is part of the 5 areas that make up the Walker Bay Nature Reserve. The Reserve is a stretch of beaches along the Indian Ocean coastline from the town of De Kleders to the Hermanus Lagoon. It is administered by the government body, Western Cape Nature Conservations Board.

Walkers Bay is one of the 42 marine protected areas of South Africa. These are areas within the coastline of the exclusive economic zones (EEZ). Marine Protected Areas ensure the sustainability of the marine environment by protecting rare aquatic species and the ocean ecosystem.

7. Hermanus is Barely 50 km From The Great White Shark Diving Cage

Great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) of South Africa. Photo By Hermanus Backpackers –

Gansbaai is the only site that hosts the white shark diving cage. It is a 30-minute drive from Hermanus Town. Tourist often combines their travel adventures of whale watching with shark diving due to the proximity of the two areas. The most famous spots for shark diving are Geyster Rock and Shark Alley in Dyer Island.

8. The Whale House Museum is Located in Hermanus

Whale watching is not only a recreational activity but also serves education and scientific purposes. The Whale House Museum was set up as an information and education centre for local and international tourists.

It is dedicated to whale exhibits and aquatic mammals such as dolphins and porpoises. Tourists who visit the museum are entertained by audio-visual presentations on whales and dolphins.

9. The Town Hosts The Annual Whale Festival

Every end of September, Hermanus hosts the Hermanus Whale Festival in celebration of the mating and calving season of the whales. This festival attracts over 150,000 people annually. It is the only Eco-Arts Festival in South Africa.

The Kalfiefees/Calf festival is held a month prior (in August) to usher in the first whales. Even though it is not as popular, this event runs a bit longer compared to the Whale Festival.

During the festival, people enjoy ocean-themed activities and exhibitions in honour of the migration of marine wildlife. The theme of the festival is mainly based on eco-tourism as it aims to educate on environmentally responsible tourism and economic activities.

10. Hermanus Offers Accommodation For Everyone

After a day well spent watching the whales, one can seek accommodation at either of the area’s hostels, backpackers, or upmarket hotels. Birkenhead House, Thatch House Hermanus, Mosselberg Hotel, Marine Hotel, and Selkirk House are some of the top luxury hotels in Hermanus.

Windsor Hotel, Misty Waves Boutique and the Harbour House hotel are also affordable places to spend the night.