Hermanus Whale Festival - Hermanus, Whale Coast
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Hermanus Whale Festival - Hermanus, Whale Coast
The Hermanus Whale Festival is an annual event held in Hermanus, located along the Overberg/Whale Coast region of the Western Cape. It celebrates the presence of southern right whales in Walker Bay, which is known for being a prime location for whale watching. The festival typically takes place during September, coinciding with the peak whale-watching season when these majestic creatures migrate to the bay to calve and nurse their young.
During the festival, visitors can enjoy a variety of activities including boat-based whale watching tours, shore-based whale watching from elevated viewpoints along the Cliff Path, and educational talks about marine conservation and whale biology. The festival also features a vibrant street market with local crafts, food stalls, and live music performances.
One of the highlights of the Hermanus Whale Festival is the "Whale Crier" competition, where participants imitate the distinctive call of the town's famous Whale Crier, who announces whale sightings to visitors. This unique event adds to the festive atmosphere and showcases Hermanus's deep connection with its natural surroundings and marine wildlife.
Here are some highlights of the festival:
1. Whale Watching: The festival coincides with the peak whale-watching season (September), offering visitors prime opportunities to spot southern right whales breaching, tail-slapping, and calving close to shore.
2. Whale Crier Competition: One of the unique features of the festival is the Whale Crier competition, where participants compete to mimic the calls of the Whale Crier, a local tradition that alerts visitors to whale sightings along the coast.
3. Marine-themed Activities: The festival includes a variety of marine-themed activities such as eco-tours, marine education workshops, and guided whale-watching walks along the famous Cliff Path.
4. Street Parade: A colorful street parade winds through the town, featuring floats, dancers, musicians, and community groups celebrating the marine life and culture of Hermanus.
5. Live Music and Entertainment: Throughout the festival, there are live music performances, entertainment stages, arts and crafts stalls, food vendors offering local cuisine, and a festive atmosphere that draws locals and tourists alike.
6. Environmental Awareness: The festival promotes environmental conservation and awareness, with exhibitions and talks focusing on marine conservation efforts, sustainability practices, and the importance of protecting marine ecosystems.
Overall, the Hermanus Whale Festival is a celebration of nature, community, and conservation efforts, making it a popular event for locals and tourists alike who want to experience the wonder of whale watching in one of the world's best spots for land-based viewing.
Verblyf Naby Hermanus Whale Festival - Hermanus, Whale Coast
Fig Tree Cottage
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Hermanus
0.7km from Hermanus Whale Festival - Hermanus, Whale CoastFig Tree Cottage bied selfsorgverblyf in Hermanus aan die Overberg-/Walviskus. Geleë in die stil woonbuurt Eastcliff, weg van die gewoel van die Hermanus dorpskern, maar tog gerieflik naby genoeg om jou motor te los... …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Brown Jug
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Eastcliff, Hermanus
0.7km from Hermanus Whale Festival - Hermanus, Whale CoastBrown Jug bied aan besoekers aan Hermanus selfsorgverblyf. Sentraal geleë in gesogte Eastcliff, 'n stil lowerryke woonbuurt, is slegs twee minute se stap na die winkels, restaurante en seefront waar jy die bekende walviskyk kan geniet. …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Norfolk Guest House
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Hermanus
0.9km from Hermanus Whale Festival - Hermanus, Whale CoastNorfolk Guest House bied verblyf op 'n beperkte selfsorg- of kamer-basis in Hermanus, en is ideaal geleë binne maklike stapafstand van al die geriewe en 'n hanetreetjie van die kranspaadjie af, bekend vir onvergeetlike walvisbesigtiging. …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
The Potting Shed Guest House
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Hermanus
1.1km from Hermanus Whale Festival - Hermanus, Whale CoastAnnamarie en David verwelkom u by The Potting Shed Accommodation, in die outydse dorpie, Hermanus, slegs 1 uur vanaf Kaapstad se Internasionale Lughawe. Geniet die persoonlike diens by die onderneming wat deur die eienaar bestuur word. …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Bayview 104
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Hermanus
1.1km from Hermanus Whale Festival - Hermanus, Whale CoastBayview 104 is 'n ruim selfsorgwoonstel naby die waterkant in Hermanus, aan die Wes-Kaap se Walviskus en bied gerieflike slaapplek aan 4 gaste en is 'n hanetreetjie van die water af. …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Bayview 303
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Hermanus
1.2km from Hermanus Whale Festival - Hermanus, Whale CoastBayview 303 bied luukse selfsorgwoonstelverblyf in Hermanus Sentraal in die Overberg-/Walviskusstreek, Wes-Kaap. Ons seefrontwoonstel is sentraal geleë tussen die swemstrande en die Hermanus middedorp. …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
On The Cliff Guest House
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Hermanus
1.3km from Hermanus Whale Festival - Hermanus, Whale CoastOn The Cliff Guest House bied verblyf op 'n B&B-basis in Hermanus Sentraal aan die Walviskus, Wes-Kaap. Geleë op die bekende kranspaadjies van Hermanus en is ook stapafstand van die ou hawe in die dorp se middestad af. …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Anchor's Rest
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Hermanus
2km from Hermanus Whale Festival - Hermanus, Whale CoastAnchor's Rest bied die opsie van B&B en selfsorgverblyf in Hermanus Sentraal in die Overberg/Walviskus, Wes-Kaap. Geleë in die bekoorlike kusdorpie Hermanus, 120 km vanaf Kaapstad. …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
House on Westcliff
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Hermanus
2km from Hermanus Whale Festival - Hermanus, Whale CoastHouse on Westcliff bied B&B-verblyf in Hermanus aan die Overberg-/Walviskus, Wes-Kaap. 'n Hanetreetjie van die kranspaadjies wat uitkyk oor Walkerbaai is House on Westcliff. Hierdie boetiek Bed en Ontbyt bestaan uit ses... …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Sandbaai Country House
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Sandbaai
4.6km from Hermanus Whale Festival - Hermanus, Whale CoastSandbaai Country House bied gehalteverblyf op 'n B&B-basis in Sandbaai, in die Hermanus-omgewing in die Overberg-/Walviskusstreek. Verwag die allerbeste by hierdie koshuis, van luukse slaapkamers tot kwaliteit diens en fyn kombuis. …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
- Hermanus (0.33km)
- Hermanus Area (0.33km)
- Eastcliff, Hermanus (0.75km)
- Northcliff, Hermanus (1.05km)
- Westcliff, Hermanus (1.53km)
- Hermanus Heights (2.05km)
- Fernkloof Estate (2.33km)
- Hemel en Aarde Vallei (2.39km)
- Kwaaiwater (2.70km)
- Fernkloof (2.95km)
- Zwelihle (3.18km)
- Voelklip (3.93km)
- Sandbaai (4.90km)
- Hermanus Lagoon (6.81km)
- Onrus (6.89km)
- Old Harbour Museum - Hermanus, Whale Coast (0.07km)
- Whale House Museum - Hermanus, Whale Coast (0.12km)
- Hermanus Tidal Pool - Hermanus, Whale Coast (0.40km)
- Fick's Pool - Hermanus, Western Cape (0.78km)
- Dreunkrans - Cliff Jumping in Hermanus (0.88km)
- Hermanus Country Market - Hermanus, Whale Coast (1.28km)
- Fernkloof Farmers Market - Hermanus, Garden Route (1.38km)
- Hermanus Golf Club - Hermanus, Whale Coast (1.55km)
- Hermanus Cliff Path - New Harbour to Grotto Beach, Hermanus (2.11km)
- Hermanus New Harbour - Whale Coast, Western Cape (2.17km)
- Langbaai Beach - Hermanus, Whale Coast (3.40km)
- Kammabaai Beach - Hermanus, Whale Coast (3.69km)
- Voelklip Beach - Hermanus, Overberg, Whale Coast (3.89km)
- Cliff Path - Milkwood Forest, Hermanus (4.25km)
- Grotto Beach - Hermanus, Whale Coast (4.47km)
- Fernkloof Nature Reserve - Hermanus, Whale Coast (4.59km)
- Hermanuspietersfontein Boerdery - Hermanus, Whale Coast (4.71km)
- Sandbaai Beach & Coastal Path - Sandbaai, Hermanus (5.45km)
- Onrus Beach - Onrus, Overberg, Whale Coast (6.41km)
- Kalfiefees Hermanus Arts Festival - Hermanus (7.05km)
- Davies' Tidal Pool - Onrus (7.60km)
- Jan Rabie Tidal Pool - Onrus, Western Cape (8.05km)
- Maanschynkop Nature Reserve - nr Hermanus, Whale Coast (9.88km)
- Walker Bay - Whale Coast, Western Cape (9.98km)
- Hoek-van-die-berg Private Nature Reserve - Vermont, Whale Coast (10.96km)
- Walker Bay Nature Reserve - Whale Coast, Western Cape (13.88km)
- Arabella Golf Course - Kleinmond, Western Cape (15.07km)
- Botrivier Lagoon - nr Fisherhaven, Overberg (15.29km)
- Kleinrivier Private Nature Reserve - nr Hermanus, Whale Coast (15.99km)
- Die Plaat Beach - Walker Bay Nature Reserve (16.71km)
