Sound the Kelp Horn: Whale Watching in Hermanus

Upon making first sight, Zolile Baleni lets loose on his kelp horn, alerting the town they have visitors. This is the job of Hermanus’ whale crier, the man who has the honor of introducing this quiet town on the western cape of South Africa to thousands of southern right whales.

Hermanus has long been called the whale watching capital of the world, thanks to its land-based access to migratory patterns of the native mothers and their soon-to-be born calves. Walker Bay and the larger Hermanus area acts as the mating and breeding grounds for these animals before they return to Antarctic waters. The season begins in May and lasts until the end of November, with September and October the peak time.

© Ken Moore | Dreamstime

Whale watching can be done for most of the summer and fall, so don’t follow the misconception the whales are only there during the festival. Held October 2–4, this year’s program packs three days with music, crafts, local food and sporting events.

Visitors coming for the wildlife have the option of hitching a ride with a boat operator, or going to one of Hermanus’ several points, where mothers and calves can get as close as five meters from the shore.