Beyond Cape Town
Hermanus and the Whale Coast
The back story
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Soaring Heights Imagery · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Hermanus and the Whale Coast
Hermanus is a seaside town on Walker Bay, east of Cape Town. Each year southern right whales come into the bay, and the cliff path along the town’s shore is one of the best places in the world to watch them from land.
Getting there
By car on the N2 over Sir Lowry’s Pass, or along the coast road (R44) from Gordon’s Bay.
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Josep M. Gracia · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsThe whales
Southern right whales visit Walker Bay in the southern winter and spring; hermanus.co.za has the season’s news. Walk the cliff path through the town.
Hermanus is about an hour and a half’s drive from Cape Town, along the coast road past Gordon’s Bay.
Staying
Birkenhead House, of The Royal Portfolio, stands on the cliffs.
Our advice: bring binoculars and walk the cliff path slowly.
Why it's on our list
- Getting there
- The whales
- Staying
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Hermanus and the Whale Coast before you go.