| And what better time to do this than during the whale | | | | drowning. They also have a large amount of oil (also |
| season, as this is the home of the Southern Right | | | | known as blubber) and baleen. |
| Whale. These beautiful creatures can be seen | | | | Today these whales are rather looked at with awe |
| between the months of July and December when | | | | than hunted. The estimated number of Southern Right |
| they come into the bay to mate, calve and just relax in | | | | Whales is 7000 and approximately 2000 of this total |
| the relatively warm water. | | | | can be found on the shores of South Africa. The birth |
| Hermanus, also known as the "Riviera of the South", | | | | rate of these whales is 7% which means that every |
| has been said to be the best location for land based | | | | 10 years the population doubles. |
| whale watching in the world. It is situated on Cape | | | | Most of Hermanus' shoreline is rocky cliff, high above |
| South Coast. It is also possible to take a boat trip and | | | | Walker Bay, thus offering magnificent viewpoints from |
| on such a trip you might even see three types of | | | | which to observe the whales. |
| whales, dolphins, seals, penguins and a variety of sea | | | | Every year a whale festival takes place in Hermanus |
| birds. | | | | during the month of September. This festival is a |
| However, the whales are usually so close to the shore | | | | joyous occasion filled with music, theatre, fairs and |
| there is no need for a boat trip. You can see them | | | | even sporting events. People come from all over the |
| frolicking at Walker Bay, and have to wonder if they | | | | world to marvel at these giant and graceful mammals. |
| aren't watching you, instead of only you watching | | | | There is a wonderful atmosphere in Walker Bay and |
| them. Hermanus is the only town in the world which | | | | Hermanus during this time, where a variety of |
| has its own a whale crier who alerts everyone to the | | | | entertainment in available. From stalls, galleries and |
| whereabouts of the whales by blowing a horn. | | | | craft markets, to performers who delight in a variety |
| The most popular whale to be seen from Hermanus is | | | | of drama and comedy. Of course the highlight remains |
| the Southern Right Whale, given its name while still | | | | the land based whale watching! |
| hunted as it was the "right" whale to hunt. Reason for | | | | Click here for more information on Whale watching in |
| this being that the whales float when dead, instead of | | | | South Africa! |