Hermanus

Hermanus is a charming coastal town on the Western Cape's Walker Bay, world-famous for the best land-based whale watching on Earth. From June to December, southern right whales migrate into the bay to calve, and their spectacular breaching, tail-slapping, and nursing can be observed from the cliff-top paths - sometimes just 20 meters from shore.

The town employs the world's only whale crier - a town official who walks the streets blowing a kelp horn to alert visitors when whales are spotted. The annual Hermanus Whale Festival in September-October celebrates the migration with music, markets, and marine education.

Beyond whale watching, Hermanus offers the scenic Cliff Path Walk - a 12-kilometer coastal path along dramatic cliffs and rocky coves - excellent shark cage diving at nearby Gansbaai, wine tasting in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, and some of the finest seafood restaurants in the Western Cape.

July to November is whale season when southern right whales are in Walker Bay. September-October is peak season with the Whale Festival.

December to March (summer) is best for beach activities and wine tasting with warm, dry weather.

Hermanus has a Mediterranean climate - mild year-round but winter can be rainy and cool.