Whale Watching in Hermanus

Hermanus is regarded as the whale watching capital of South Africa. By Land - By Boat - By Air

Old Harbour in Hermanus

The Old Harbour Open-Air Museum is a provincial heritage site. It is unique in that apparently it is one of only two fishing harbours in the world that has been conserved in tact.

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Hermanus Cliff Path

meanders for almost 11 kilometres along the coast from the New Harbour in the west to the estuary at the mouth of the Klein River in the east.

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Hermanus in the heart of the Cape Whale Coast of South AfricaContact Us

WHAT TO DO

Top Activities and Adventures

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Hermanus, a village by the sea in South Africa

Nestled between lush mountains and the turquoise waters of Walker Bay, near the southern tip of Africa, Hermanus is one of the Cape’s most beautiful coastal destinations. Known as the heart of the Cape Whale Coast, it’s world-famous for its land-based whale watching and exceptional wines.

From June to November, Southern Right Whales return to these shores, offering unforgettable close-up encounters along the scenic cliff paths — one of the best whale watching experiences in the world.

Beyond the ocean, the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley boasts award-winning vineyards, while the nearby Stanford Wine Route offers a charming countryside escape.

Hermanus also hosts the vibrant Hermanus Whale Festival, held annually in September. This popular eco-marine event features live music, local food, marine exhibits, and family-friendly entertainment celebrating the arrival of the whales.

Hermanus Online Travel Magazine is your go-to guide for where to stay, what to do, and what to see — from accommodation bookings and top activities to local history and marine life.

Start planning your Hermanus escape today — where mountains meet the ocean

Hermanus is a The Village by the Sea

Nestled between lush, emerald-green mountains and the turquoise embrace of the Atlantic, Where the Mountains Meet the Marine Big Five.

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Common Dolphins, The Acrobats of the Ocean

If the ocean had circus performers, common dolphins would be the stars of the show.

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Unveiling the Ocean's Playful Acrobats: Cape Fur Seals!

Dive beneath the surface with Jaydee Media as we witness the playful, erratic, and beautiful world of the Cape Fur Seal.

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9 Simple Steps to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Cut CO₂. Protect What Matters.

Take a moment and ask yourself:
Do we really do enough to save energy, cut waste, and choose greener options?

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Get Ready for an UnforgettableWhale Trip with Hermanus Whale Watchers!

If you’re heading to Hermanus and not going whale watching... we need to talk. Because you’re about to miss one of South Africa’s most magical marine experiences — and that’s not an exaggeration.

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Protecting the endangered Indian Ocean Humpback dolphin

 Most people may have never heard of Indian Ocean humpback dolphins. which makes them very difficult to protect. As South Africa’s most endangered marine mammal, they are shy and elusive and inhabit a narrow strip of water on our coastline.

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2024 Annual Southern Right Whale Survey Results

The annual southern right whale count occurred in September 2024 between Nature's Valley and Muizenberg. These numbers compare to the past 43 years results—if extreme cycles continue, we can expect fewer southern right whales along our coast next year.

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Numbers from the first Southern Right Whale count of 2024 are in!

The Southern Right to protection: Tracking the ocean's gentle giantsThe MRI Whale Unit counted and photographs every single southern right whale since 1969. It is one of the longest database monitoring in the world on any mammal

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