Why Southern Right Whales Return to This South African Town Every Single Year

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Every year, the same thing happens. June arrives on the South African coast, and Walker Bay grows quiet in a way that makes locals stop and look out to sea. Then it begins — a breath the size of a fountain, a dark shape rolling just beyond the kelp beds, and the sound of a dried kelp horn echoing through the streets of Hermanus. The southern right whales are back.

The Only Town With a Whale Crier

Hermanus has the only official whale crier in the world. The role was created to help visitors find the whales from shore — the crier walks the streets blowing a horn made from dried kelp, calling out the bays where whales have been spotted.

Different patterns of the horn signal different locations. It is one of the most unusual jobs on the planet, and it exists nowhere else on Earth.

The tradition started in 1992 as a way to share whale sightings before mobile phones existed. It caught on so well that the role became permanent. Today, the whale crier is one of the most photographed figures in the Western Cape.

Why Southern Right Whales Choose Walker Bay

The whales come here because Walker Bay offers exactly what a nursing mother needs. The bay is sheltered, shallow at its edges, and protected from the worst of the Atlantic swells.

Southern right whales travel from Antarctic waters to give birth and raise their calves in the warm, protected bays of South Africa’s Western Cape. Walker Bay is one of the most reliable nurseries on the entire southern African coastline.

The whales do not feed here — they rest, nurse, and play. That is why you can watch them floating slowly near the surface, turning, lobtailing, or simply drifting in the morning light. It is behaviour that is rare and utterly unmistakable.

The Season, the Festival, and the Perfect Moment

The whales arrive from June, with numbers peaking through August and September. By November, most have returned south. September is widely considered the single best month — the bay is often full, calves born in June are now active and playful, and the air is warm enough to sit on the cliff path for hours.

Every September, Hermanus hosts the Hermanus Whale Festival, a week-long celebration with live music, food stalls, art markets, and guided whale walks. The town fills with visitors, but the clifftop paths are wide enough that everyone gets a front-row view.

If you plan to visit during the festival, book accommodation several months in advance. The town transforms from a quiet coastal village into the most talked-about stretch of ocean in South Africa for a single week.

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The Best Spots Along the Cliff Path

The Hermanus Cliff Path runs for twelve kilometres along the coast. There are no entrance fees, no queues — just a path, the sea, and the whales rising below you.

Gearing’s Point

The highest viewpoint in Hermanus gives the widest sweep of Walker Bay. On a clear September day with multiple whales in the water, it ranks among the most extraordinary wildlife views in all of Southern Africa.

New Harbour

Visit here if you want to see whales alongside the working fishing boats. In peak season, southern right whales have been spotted surfacing beside the harbour walls. It is a view that feels almost too close to be real.

For those who want to get on the water, guided boat tours depart from the harbour. Being at sea level when a southern right whale surfaces alongside the boat is a quieter, more intimate experience. Plan your visit timing with our month-by-month South Africa travel guide.

Beyond Hermanus — The Wider Whale Coast

Hermanus is the most famous stop, but the Whale Coast stretches much further east. Gansbaai is another reliable whale watching destination and doubles as one of the world’s premier great white shark cage diving locations.

Further along, Arniston is a traditional fishing village with whitewashed cottages and almost no visitors outside of summer. Pearly Beach, Cape Agulhas, and Cape Infanta all offer whale sightings in season with far fewer crowds.

If you have a few days and a car, the drive from Hermanus towards Swellendam — passing vineyards, wheat fields, and coastal fynbos — is one of the most peaceful drives in the country. Many visitors base themselves in Cape Town and make the two-hour journey down as a day trip or overnight escape.

What to Know Before You Go

Hermanus is approximately 120 kilometres from Cape Town, roughly a two-hour drive via the N2 and the R43 through Bot River. The road is straightforward and well-signposted.

There is no need to book a whale watching experience in advance. The cliff path is always open and always free. If you want a boat tour, book a day ahead in September when demand is highest.

Even outside of peak season, the cliffs above Walker Bay are beautiful. The coastal fynbos, the light off the Atlantic in the late afternoon, and the sound of the ocean below are worth the drive on their own.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to visit Hermanus for whale watching?

June to November is whale season, with peak activity from August to October. September offers the highest number of whales in Walker Bay and coincides with the annual Hermanus Whale Festival, making it the most popular month for visitors.

What types of whales can you see at Hermanus, South Africa?

The main species is the southern right whale, which arrives from June to nurse its calves in Walker Bay’s sheltered waters. Humpback whales are occasionally spotted as well. Both can be seen clearly from the cliff path without binoculars.

Do I need a boat tour to see whales at Hermanus?

No — Hermanus is famous precisely because the whales come so close to shore. The twelve-kilometre cliff path lets you watch from directly above the water at no cost. Boat tours are available and offer a different perspective, but they are entirely optional.

How far is Hermanus from Cape Town?

Hermanus is approximately 120 kilometres from Cape Town — roughly a two-hour drive via the N2 highway and the R43. It is well within range as a day trip, though staying overnight lets you catch the whales at dawn when the water is calmest.

Standing on a cliff in Hermanus as the light fades over Walker Bay, watching a whale turn slowly near the surface just below you, something shifts in your sense of scale. These animals have been making this journey for far longer than Hermanus has existed, and they keep returning. That faithfulness is its own kind of wonder.

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Plan Your South Africa Trip

Ready to explore the Western Cape? Our Cape Town Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors covers everything you need — from neighbourhood guides to day-trip planning along the Whale Coast and the Winelands.

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