Hermanus Whale Watching Guide

The most profound and saddest confession is the voice of a whale. We have all heard a story about a whale named Ellis who roars every day, trying to make his voice heard. , this sad story makes us fall even more in love with this huge but cute animal, the whale.

So, there is a small town called Hermanus. Every year, many people come here just to take a look at the whales that appear here. Next, we will Let’s get to know this small town of Hermanus!

Whale and Whale Crier

Located 122 kilometers away from Cape Town in the Western Cape Province, There is a famous whale watching town in Hermanus. The town has picturesque scenery, with pure bays and broken rocks on one side, and rolling mountains on the other. It is a holy place for vacation and recuperation, and is also the famous best whale watching spot in South Africa.

Every year from June to November, the town’s most special guest, the southern right whale, will pass through here and swim towards the Antarctic. Southern right whales swim slowly and often swim and play close to the coast, so sometimes people can admire them by standing on the rocks on the shore without going out to sea.

The WhaleCrier on the cliff path of the observation deck patrols the coast with a huge kelp-shaped horn on his back. When he spots a whale, he will blow the horn to remind whale watching enthusiasts Where to look.

This is a profession unique to Hermanus, and he is the only whale caller in the world. It is said that the current whale caller is already the fifth.

The ancient mammals with huge bodies are full of spirituality, but they are constantly harmed by humans. Fortunately, South Africa attaches great importance to animal protection, allowing whales to swim freely in the bay of fairy-tale towns. Standing on the plank road by the seaside, watching the waves rushing to the shore, whales occasionally showing up, it is leisurely and interesting.

GardenRoute

Driving on the GardenRoute, which has the seaside on one side and mountains and forests on the other, is a kind of experience for everyone in the car. Visual enjoyment. The picture composed of blue sea, blue sky, cliffs, virgin forests, and golden beaches is so beautiful that the charming scenery is like the legendary Garden of Eden.

In addition to the beautiful scenery, the Garden Route is also a tourist corridor, connecting many attractions worth visiting.

Tsitsikamma National Park, Wilderness National Park, Knysna National Lake District, etc. merged to form today's Garden Route National Park (GardenRouteNationalPark; sanparks.org). Tsitsikamma is a maritime national park characterized by dense primeval forests growing along the river valley. There are hiking trails from the Storm River to the Natural Valley.

In addition to the natural scenery, the park also has many outdoor entertainment projects that have won world records. Among them, Loughlands Bridge is currently the highest commercial bungee jumping point in the world. Brave people jump from 218 meters and experience eight seconds. The free fall of the clock gives me a different view. It is possible to camp in the park or rent a cabin on the beach for accommodation.

Georgetown

The European-style town located at the foot of Otanik Mountain - Georgetown has beautiful scenery, which reminds people of "facing the sea, warm spring" Flowers bloom" poem.

Starting from George Town, you can travel to the inland areas through two scenic walking trails, the Montagu Pass and the Outeniqua Pass. The mountain scenery is also beautiful. Of course, many people come to George Town to ride the antique steam train through the most beautiful part of the Garden Route.

Step on the slow-moving steam train, sit on the retro dark green leather seats, admire the blue sea, blue sky and wooden cabins and woods through the window, and experience the train journey a hundred years ago, which is quite emotional.

Cape Agulhas

Geographically speaking, the southernmost point of Africa is not the famous Cape of Good Hope, but Cape Agulhas (Cape Agulhas), the junction of the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean. Cape Agulhas). There is a sign on the shore, which reads in English, Portuguese and South African characters: "This is the southernmost point of the African continent, the dividing line between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans."

Standing in front of the stone sign, you On the left is the Indian Ocean and on the right is the Atlantic Ocean. However, there is no obvious difference that can be seen with the naked eye. What distinguishes the two oceans is the water temperature. The water temperature in the Indian Ocean is about 6°C higher than that of the Atlantic Ocean.

There are far fewer tourists here than at the Cape of Good Hope. Standing at the intersection of the two oceans, it feels like you are in a real "end of the world". The waves are constantly beating on the rocks, and the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse is silent. Standing quietly, the sunken ship stranded on the coast is full of rust marks, and an inexplicable sense of vicissitudes arises.

There are various hiking trails in Agulhas National Park (Agulhas National Park; sanparks.org), ranging from 3 kilometers to 10 kilometers. What is recommended is the 5.5-kilometer-long Rasperpunt route, which passes the silent spot of the Meisho Maru fishing boat along the way.

Information brochures with detailed information on each walking route are available in the park office for R10.

The Little Karoo and Great Karoo basins

South Africa’s famous landforms, the Little Karoo and Great Karoo basins, have a semi-desert climate. They may seem arid and desolate, but they contain unique and mysterious features. Beautiful, completely different from the coastal Garden Route landscape. Humans have lived here more than 500,000 years ago. In addition to being rich in archaeological sites, paleontological fossils, San rock paintings, etc., the sunset and starry sky in the Karoo are also breathtakingly beautiful.

Oudtshoorn

Due to the dry climate, Oudtshoorn has become the largest ostrich breeding ground in the world, so it is also known as "the one riding on the back of the ostrich" City". This largest bird in the world is the biggest attraction in Oudtshoorn. There are many private ostrich farms in the city that provide sightseeing services.

Here, you can not only see groups of leisurely ostriches, but also a variety of exquisite ostrich products for sale. The farm also has ostrich-themed activities, and brave visitors can even try an ostrich riding competition, or taste an ostrich feast - ostrich meat, ostrich eggs, ostrich sausages, etc. (highgate.co.za).

Cango Caves

The Cango Caves in the north of Oudtshoorn is the largest cave system in Africa that can be visited. When you walk into the cave, moisture will hit your face. Shining crystals, wonderfully structured stalactites, and stone forests of various shapes come into view. People can't help but sigh at the uncanny craftsmanship of this cave from the Precambrian period. The raw beauty of history is stunning.

Ganguo Cave is warm but humid. You need to protect electronic products, especially your camera lens. The cave covers a large area and a tour with a guide will take at least two hours.

Southern Right Whale

Every year from June to November, it is the peak season for whale watching in South Africa. The convergence of ocean currents brings a large amount of fish and shrimp to the whales. Southern right whales will come at this time. This whale mates and nurses its calves. They are very large, reaching a length of up to 18 meters, a weight of up to 143 tons, and a lifespan of more than 80 years.

Despite their huge bodies, southern right whales have a relatively docile temperament and will swim very close to the land from time to time.

Namaqualand

This may be one of the most unusual places in the world. From August to September, the arid Namaqualand will receive precious spring rains. Once the rain comes, this barren desert will turn into a sea of ??flowers all over the mountains and plains, as if nature is performing a magical magic.

Nearly 3,000 species of plants grow on this magical land, and most of them have not been found in other areas, so it is also loved by botanists.

The story of Ellis is sad, but fortunately, the whales here are beautiful. Although we still can’t understand what they say, we are still accompanying them, and we will not hurt them. I have a kind of love and cherishment for them.

Trying to caress them, trying to understand their cuteness.

And Hermanus is not just about whales! The scenery here is beautiful. After watching the whales, you can also take a stroll here!