By air
Cape Town (CPT), ~1.5 h
South Africa
Hermanus, South Africa
Whales from the cliff paths
Getting there
Best time to visit
June to November for southern right whales
Don't miss
The cliff path
Gearing's Point
Grotto Beach
Walker Bay
Things to do
Land-based whale watching
Shark-cage diving at Gansbaai
Fynbos walks
Where to eat
What to pack
Layers, binoculars
A quieter corner
Stanford's village and the Klein River
Questions travellers ask
When can I see whales in Hermanus?
June to November, for southern right whales. Bring binoculars and layers.
Where do people watch whales in Hermanus?
From land: walk the cliff path, stop at Gearing's Point and scan Walker Bay.
What else can I do around Hermanus?
Try shark-cage diving at Gansbaai, go on a fynbos walk or relax on Grotto Beach. Stanford's village and the Klein River make a lovely side trip.
How close is Hermanus to Cape Town?
About 1.5 hours from Cape Town (CPT). Save time for seafood by the old harbour.
About Hermanus
- Coastal
Where it is
Hermanus is a seaside town on Walker Bay in South Africa's Western Cape, south-east of Cape Town along the coast, set between the Kleinrivier Mountains and low cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean.
History
Hermanus began in the 19th century as a fishing village named after Hermanus Pieters, a teacher and shepherd who used a spring here. By the early 20th century its sea air had made it a holiday resort, and since the 1990s it has become famous for the southern right whales that come into Walker Bay to mate and calve.
People
Hermanus is home to Afrikaans-, English- and isiXhosa-speaking South Africans, many working in tourism, fishing and the nearby wineries. The Hermanus Whale Festival is held each spring, when the whales are in the bay.
Known for
- Land-based whale watching
- The cliff path along Walker Bay
- Shark-cage diving at nearby Gansbaai
- Fynbos walks in Fernkloof Nature Reserve
- The Hemel-en-Aarde wine valley
Did you know?
Hermanus is known for its whale crier, who walks the seafront sounding a kelp horn to tell people where whales have been spotted.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.