Hermanus: The whale watching capital of the world!

Every year the small town of Hermanus turns into a bustling hub filled with excitement, activity and wonder. This is thanks to the arrival of the VIPs gracing the South African shores. I am of course talking about the yearly arrival of the migrating Southern Right Whales. Each year between June and November, the Western Cape coast comes alive with a growing population of Southern Right Whales. These whales leave their summer feeding grounds near Antarctica and migrate north to breed and calve. One of the migratory routes brings these creatures to our South African shores, and Walker Bay where Hermanus is located is a hotspot for whale activity. The relatively calm and protected waters of the bay provide the perfect space for calving and social interactions.

The arrival of the whales to the Hermanus shore brings with it an influx of excited tourists and nature enthusiasts, all eager to see these magnificent creatures. This has created a unique culture in Hermanus, filled with a love and appreciation for these creatures and many wonderful attractions to explore. Hermanus is widely regarded as the whale watching capital of the world. I was privileged to visit Hermanus in late 2025, and it was a magical experience to say the least. I can totally understand why this calm town in the Western Cape has been given this title.

Background on the Southern Right Whale

The Southern Right whale has an unfortunate, yet interesting history which contributes greatly to the present-day allure of these creatures. I have always wondered where these whales got their names. It turns out that the name comes from their unfortunate history as a preferred hunting species for the whaling industry. These whales are high in blubber (fat) and lack a dorsal fin. This makes them highly buoyant. When they were hunted, they would thus float to the surface and be easily retrieved. This, coupled with their high yield and slow swimming speed thus made them the ‘right’ whale to hunt. Unfortunately, this led to their demise and at a stage there were only a few hundred individuals left globally.

Luckily, modern conservation efforts have reversed this trend, and with the widespread abolition of commercial whaling, these whales are making a wonderful comeback. Since 1969, the University of Pretoria has performed yearly aerial whale surveys, with the 56th annual survey performed in 2025. This annual project has led to one of the longest known continuous monitoring projects for mammals and has presented invaluable insights to researchers. Due to the callosity (hardened skin) patterns on the heads of right whales, the researchers are able to identify different individuals and build a database.

It is estimated that the broad Southern African migratory population consists of around 6500 individuals, growing in excess of 6% a year as per the University of Pretoria’s numbers. Numbers do fluctuate yearly and some years significantly less individuals do migrate, but the long-term nature of this study has provided invaluable data for research scientists.

Where to see the whales in Hermanus

I almost want to go as far as to say everywhere! There is a good reason why Hermanus has built up the reputation which it has and gained international acclaim. The wonder of whale watching in Hermanus lies in the accessibility and ease with which the public can see different marine species including the Southern Right Whales. Humpback whales and Bryde’s whales also make an appearance from time to time and pods of dolphins are frequently seen in Walker Bay. The whales can usually be easily seen from shore, making these special sightings accessible for many. Hermanus has a 12km cliff path which offers stunning views. We were lucky enough to spot a multitude of whales right from the Hermanus waterfront. How cool is that!

Another incredibly special activity to partake in is a whale cruise. A multitude of licensed and registered operators offer these boat cruises and in my opinion, this is a must do! We went out with Southern Right charters and what a breathtaking time it was! We got within metres of the whales and had the opportunity to see them up close. Don’t worry though, this was all done very responsibly with the boat switched off and the whales coming closer to us, not the other way around. We did this activity during late September, and the abundance of whales in the water was unbelievable. At one stage we had a group of six whales around us during their courtship behaviour.

Further to this experience, was the amazing crew onboard our cruise. What stood out was the absolute focus on education and whale conservation. This was not merely just a leisurely cruise, but an interactive educational journey. This just shows again how tourism, conservation and education can coexist and supplement each other sustainably. As an absolute bonus, we also encountered a pod of around 400 common dolphins splashing, swimming and breaching alongside our boat.

Museums, Harbours and Sculptures

Back on land, the celebration of whales continues. Throughout the town the theme of whales shines through. After our cruise we visited the Whale Museum. This interactive experience showcases the majesty of the whales. I was super intrigued by the comparisons between the different types of whales and the opportunity to hear some of the underwater whale communication sounds. The absolute highlight of the museum is the complete Southern Right Whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling, showing the amazing anatomy of whales and providing an opportunity to see the true size of these mammals.

As part of the museum experience, we also visited the old fishing harbour, filled with various implements and tools which were used in the working harbour during the 1800s and 1900s. This historic site is classified as a provincial heritage site. Walking around here, you can almost imagine yourself in a setting dating back 100 years with a bustling fishing village surrounding you. This small harbour is often seen as the first ‘building block’ in the modern-day town of Hermanus and is a true piece of living history.

A big whale celebration

Wherever you walk in Hermanus, the whale theme is not far away. Whether it be a tail sculpture, a whale skeleton or a breaching whale, the atmosphere of celebration is found all around. This culminates with the yearly Hermanus whale festival. This entire experience centred around whales comes together during the festival. With educational talks, art exhibits and whale watching, the focus is well and truly on the amazing Southern Right Whales. The story of hope and conservation success which brought these mammals back from the brink of extinction shines bright throughout the town.

My visit to Hermanus was a truly unique one, and I would highly recommend visiting this special town during whale season. I believe that when learning feels like fun, conservation is advanced and this is truly the case in Hermanus. I adore the whales which we saw and can’t wait to visit again. May the success story of the Southern Right Whale continue for years to come.

Be filled with nature!

Willem🐛