Free South Africa Guidebook

We've put together a guidebook with everything you need to know about South Africa. Written by our specialists, it details destination information, a wildlife guide, some suggested itineraries and plenty more to inspire your holiday. Fill in the form below and if you live in UK, your guidebook will arrive by post within the next couple of days. For those who live abroad, we will send you a link by email which will allow you to download your own copy.

Hermanus

A hot-bed of marine activity, the main attraction of Hermanus is the migrating southern right whales that breach in Walker Bay from June to November. The world’s premier land-based whale watching is on offer here, so sit back with a glass of South African wine in hand and enjoy the spectacle!

To start planning your tailor-made holiday, call us on (646) 934-8870

Although it offers scenic beauty year-round, Hermanus and the surrounding Whale Coast comes into its own between June and November when it is transformed into a nursery for calving whales, as schools of southern right whales follow their migratory path to escape the winter storms of Antarctica. The uniqueness of the experience is highlighted by the town having its very own Whale Crier – the only known one in the world – who heralds the arrival of each whale in the bay with a kelp horn.

Although one of the best spots for land-based whale watching, a number of operators offer boat trips which allow sightings up to fifty metres from the whales, or why not to take to the skies for a scenic flight to witness the true scale of the migration?

For those who are serious about their whale-watching or want to make the most of the stunning scenery, we recommend spending time in one of the nature reserves, whether this be De Hoop Nature Reserve or the private reserves at Grootbos or Mosaic, which offer a wide-range of activities based around the ocean.

We have carefully selected a range of luxury properties in and around Hermanus which will give you the best whale watching experience. Take your pick from sophisticated five star hotels, boutique guest houses and award-winning eco lodges.


To start planning your tailor-made holiday, call us on (646) 934-8870

Meet our specialists

Gansbaai, South Africa

Grootbos is a 5-star luxury lodge located a short distance from Hermanus. A firm Imagine favourite, this lodge offers an excellent nature experience, focused on the southern right whale migration in Walker Bay from June to November.

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Hermanus, South Africa

Ocean Eleven is a gorgeous Cape-Cod-style guest house in Hermanus in South Africa’s Western Cape. With incredible ocean views and a prime cliff-top position for whale watching, Ocean Eleven makes a wonderful add-on to Cape Town and the Garden Route.

Ocean Eleven Guest House

Near Stanford, South Africa

Blue Gum Country Estate is a family-run farm guest house near Stanford in the Western Cape’s Overberg region. A superb option for families, Blue Gum Country Estate offers great service and dining, and a chance to experience the best of rural South Africa.

Blue Gum Country Estate

Hermanus, South Africa

Mosaic Private Sanctuary is a lovely peaceful retreat in the gorgeous natural setting of Walker Bay and the Overberg. Relaxing and comfortable, Mosaic Private Sanctuary provides a great introduction to the botanical splendours of the Cape floral kingdom.

Mosaic Private Sanctuary

Hermanus, South Africa

Birkenhead House is an elegant, sophisticated guest house positioned on the cliffs above Walker Bay in South Africa’s Hermanus. The property is ideally located for taking in the picturesque town, pristine beaches, enjoying nature walks and whale watching.

Birkenhead House

Hermanus, South Africa

The Marine is a luxury Relais & Chateau cliff-top hotel overlooking Walker Bay, located in Hermanus. Boasting some of the best land-based whale watching in South Africa with stunning grounds and fabulous views across Walker Bay and the majestic mountains.

The Marine

Hermanus, South Africa

138 Marine Beachfront Guesthouse is an outstanding and stylish guesthouse in Sandbaai, a short drive from Hermanus. Astonishing views and the warmest of welcomes make 138 Marine Beachfront a wonderful base for whale watching and cliff-top walks.

138 Marine Beachfront Guesthouse

Hermanus, South Africa

Uniquely located on Siever’s Point, Hermanus’s scenic seafront, Abalone Guest Lodge offers its guests direct access to the well-known cliff path used for whale spotting. This luxury guest lodge comfort and unsurpassed views across the ocean.

Abalone Guest Lodge

Hermanus, South Africa

Set in the historic heart of Hermanus, Auberge Burgundy sits above the picturesque Old Harbour as a charming Provencal-style guesthouse. An ideal base for exploring the local markets and for admiring the views and whales of Walker Bay.

Auberge Burgundy

Hermanus, South Africa

With a mountainous backdrop and views of the never ending Grotto Beach is Mosselberg, a 5-star luxury villa offering warm hospitality in the town of Hermanus. A boutique property that ensures service and facilities are top-notch.

Mosselberg on Grotto Beach

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Walker Bay, South Africa

For the ultimate whale watching experience over Walker Bay, take a scenic flight in a small aircraft directly over these magnificent creatures as they breach along the South African coast as they migrate for calving along the warmer waters.

Aerial Whale Watching

Hermanus, South Africa

Great white shark cage diving is an experience like no other. To get up close to the ocean's number one predator in its natural environment is a humbling experience you will never forget.

Great White Shark Diving

Hermanus, South Africa

Explore the South African coastline around Hermanus in a kayak where you will be able to get up close and personal with marine life such as cape fur seals, penguins, cormorants, and birdlife while an experienced guide leads you around the bay.

Sea Kayaking at Walker Bay

Hermanus, South Africa

June and November is prime-time whale watching season, these incredible animals migrate to the Western Cape to calve their young. A boat tour is the best way to get up close to these massive mammals as they breach the water.

Whale Watching Tour

Oudtshoorn, Little Karoo, South Africa

Visit the Cango Caves to experience the large underground limestone caves of the Klein Karoo. With towering stalagmite formations and dripstone caverns you'll be amazed at how big they are and learn about the legends of the cave.

Visit the Cango Caves

Garden Route, South Africa

Set at a terrifying 216 meters above the ground, the Bloukrans Bungee is one of the world's highest commercial bungee and definitely one for the thrill seekers! While looking out at the surrounding mountains take the plunge off the bridge.

Bloukrans River Bungee Jump

Garden Route, South Africa

Take a walk along the Robberg Peninsula, an outcrop of land on the western side of Plettenberg Bay. The Peninsula is now a nature reserve and a marine protected area which makes for spectacular scenery, wildlife, flora and fauna.

Robberg Peninsula Walk

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