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South African Whale-Watching Hotspot
By Bronwen Roberts
Hermanus is the only place in the world that has its own whale crier. The months of June through to November are peak whale-watching season, and the Southern Right whales come to entertain from their favourite place in the Bay. This popular holiday destination is just 120km from Cape Town.
As you meander through the quaint streets of Hermanus, chances are you'll bump into an odd looking guy with a strange feathery cap. If he's wearing a sandwich board; you've found the town whale crier and his mission is to alert visitors to the whereabouts of whales. The sandwich board indicates how to interpret the code, which lead whale-watchers to spots where whales have been sighted. You can even get hold of the whale crier on his cellphone...
Visiting Hermanus
Hermanus is frequented by nature lovers, whale-watchers, and many Europeans who visit for months at a time. The mild Mediterranean climate provides a welcome escape from those harsh European winters. Cape Town residents also flock to this "Riviera of the South" for their weekend getaways. As well as safe, sandy beaches, this town has an unrivalled charm and a plethora of interesting excursions and activities. One of the most popular events is the yearly Whale Festival from 23-26 September. You can watch the whales frolic, mate and calve from the warm confines of your hotel room. Try and find a hotel that has a high vantage point, like a sea cliff and book a sea-facing bedroom for maximum whale-watching pleasure.
Whale-Watching by Boat
If you're not content to watch the whales from dry land, many Hermanus whale viewing tours allow you to experience whale-watching by boat; bringing you even closer to the action. Although Southern Right whales are easily spotted and observed from the shore during peak whale-watching season (August-October), close encounters are not always possible. Boat-based, whale-watching puts these enigmatic ocean dwellers within touching distance.
Hermanus Hiking Trails
One of the unique attractions of Hermanus is the Cliff Path that stretches from the New Harbour in Westcliff, all along the coastline to Grotto beach - just over 10 km long. It's accessible from many points all along the route. There are benches at strategic points, which provide a place to rest, watch the whales, and enjoy stunning sea views.
The trails in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve are well maintained and accessible. The Frans Senekal Nature reserve in Vermont offers a delightful walk from Vermont, along the sea edge, past Hoek van den Berg to Hawston harbour. The full walk takes about two hours.
Hermanus Beaches
Hermanus has kilometres of beach and sheltered coves - perfect for hiding from the crowds during peak season. The soft white sands edged with rolling surf are a sunworshipper's dream and the long expanses of sand, perfect for walks. Grotto Beach stretches all the way to the mouth of the Kleinrivier lagoon and De Plaat (a renowned fishing spot).
There are excellent facilities including picnic/braai areas, change rooms and a beachside restaurant. Although, the major beaches have lifeguards during peak season, it is still advisable not to swim alone in isolated places. The currents can be dangerous and the sea extremely strong during high tide.
Hermanus Wine Tours
The cool sea breezes off Walker Bay and the ideal soil in the Hemel en Aarde Valley combine to produce some of the top wines in the country. The cellars are open for tastings and sales, and make for an ideal afternoon or morning excursion. In this picturesque valley, wine lovers can treat themselves to a unique wine tour among the southernmost vineyards in Africa.
Visit the Bouchard Finlayson wine estate for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc wines of great complexity and finesse. The tasting room at Hamilton Russell Vineyards - the oldest winery in the valley - is open daily. Whalehaven Wines is an impressive winery, where you can taste stunning wines while exploring their extensive cellar. This wine farm also boasts spectacular views of the ocean and mountain ranges. Sumaridge, the Hemel en Aarde Valley's newest winery, produces a range of premium quality wines exclusively from the farm's own vineyards.
Other activities you can engage in while visiting Hermanus are ski-boating, fishing, crayfishing and sightseeing cruises, diving, horse riding, fishing, art galleries, bird watching, museums, sailing, paragliding and a variety of other sporting activities.
About the Author
If you're looking for accommodation in Hermanus - look no further than the picturesque Windsor Hotel; situated on a cliff edge with spectacular, panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. Watching the frolicking whales in the Bay below will add to your holiday enjoyment! The Windsor Hotel, built in 1896 is the oldest accommodation in Hermanus and remains the most popular to this day.
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