Kelp Horn
Whale watching in Hermanus from land
Hermanus is one of the few places in the world where you can watch whales from the shore, often close in. Here's where to stand, when to come, and how to tell if they're out there today.
When to see whales in Hermanus
Southern right whales come into Walker Bay each winter and spring to calve and mate. They usually arrive around June and leave by about December, and most are around from about August to October. Outside those months a quiet bay is normal.
Southern rights are by far the most common. Humpback and Bryde's whales, dolphins, and now and then orcas, are seen too.
Where to watch from
The best viewing is from the cliff path that runs along the shore through town, with benches and lookout points along the way. These are the 20 spots on the Kelp Horn map, most of them on the cliff path, from west to east:
- Onrus Beach
- New Harbour
- Rietfontein
- Tamatiebank
- Fick's Pool
- Swallow Park
- Gearing's Point
- Old Harbour
- Marine Hotel
- Roman Rock
- Kraal Rock
- Die Gang
- Siever's Point
- Kwaaiwater
- Mossel River
- Langbaai
- Platbank
- Kammabaai
- Voëlklip Beach
- Grotto
Gearing's Point and the Old Harbour are in the middle of town, a short walk from parking and coffee. Further east the path gets quieter.
How to know if whales are there today
Whales move. A bay full of them in the morning can be empty by lunch. Before you drive the coast or walk the path, check where they've been seen in the last hour or two.
That's what Kelp Horn is for. Locals who watch the bay post sightings to a live map: which whales, which spot, and when. A pin stays bright while people keep seeing them and goes grey once they've moved on. Turn on alerts and your phone tells you the moment whales are spotted. It's free, with no ads and no account needed to watch.
Get the app
Coming soon to the App Store and Google Play.
Tips for watching from the shore
- Look for the blow. A puff of spray above the water is usually the first thing you'll see, then a dark back or a tail.
- Calm, bright mornings are easiest. Whitecaps hide blows and backs.
- Bring binoculars, but plenty of whales come close enough to see without them.
- Be patient at one spot. A whale that dives can surface again a few minutes later, often nearby.
Watch from a respectful distance
Whales in Walker Bay are resting, calving and nursing. Watch from the shore or with a licensed boat operator, and don't approach them on the water or fly a drone near them.