Excursions in South Africa: Hermanus Whale Route Tour
The once quiet fishing village of Hermanus has a richly deserved reputation as providing some of the finest shore-based whale watching in the world between July and November, although whales are now also being seen in the months immediately before and after the traditional season.
Hermanus Whale Route Tour
The Whale Coast, South Africa
The once quiet fishing village of Hermanus has a richly deserved reputation as providing some of the finest shore-based whale watching in the world between July and November, although whales are now also being seen in the months immediately before and after the traditional season.
The tour begins with a coastal drive past Gordon's Bay, stopping at the village of Betty's Bay for a stroll around the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens. At Hermanus itself cliffs drop steeply into the ocean, allowing the whales to come within 30 metres of the shore. The migrating southern right whales use the calm waters and steep shores of False Bay and Walker Bay as sheltered locations to calve and rest up before heading south towards Antarctica with their young.
After lunch, visit the Old Harbour, before travelling back to Cape Town. En route passing through the town of Elgin in the Cape's apple growing region. The road then snakes over Sir Lowry's Pass, providing wondrous views of the Cape Peninsula.
More about The Whale Coast, South Africa
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It's a happy coincidence that many of South Africa’s highlights lie upon a clearly defined, easily navigable route, a coincidence that makes it a great destination for first-time visitors.
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