Hermanus Whale Walk

Posted: 2 March 2012 by Jenny Meyer Category: Attractions, Beach, Children, Hermanus, Things to do, Tours, Walks in Hermanus, Whale Watching Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Walk with whales while they frolic in the ocean, just metres away, along our cliff paths and follow the Hermanus Whale Walk. Hermanus, is acclaimed as the best land based whale watching destination in the world! For the most amazing sightings of these wonderful creatures, the cliff paths are just 200 metres from Eastbury Cottage. Yes, you can even hear them “blow” from your accommodation at Eastbury Cottage.  The best place to view the Southern Right Whales is from our cliff  path, which runs along the coast from the New Harbour to our Blue Flag beach, Grotto. The cliff paths can be accessed at almost any point and there are many benches along its route that you can sit down at and view the ocean. The Walker Bay cliff paths also have what is known as the Whale Walk of Hermanus.

cliff path Hermanus whale walk

Spread out along the stretch of cliff path near the CBD of Hermanus there are eight boards with information about whales, dolphins and other marine life. These boards were designed by the well-known whale illustrator Noel Ashton, who works for Oceans for Africa. The boards give all the information you’ll need about the whales that frequent our shores – everything from species information to the different behaviour seen. The behaviour patterns have beautifully detailed illustrations with them so you’ll be able to identify the different playful greetings the whales are giving you next time you see them in the ocean. The boards were sponsored by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), which aims to protect wild and domestic animals and is a part of the International Whaling Commission, which aims to stop whaling.

 

The Whale Walk can be done by yourself or in a group as all the boards are not in a strict order and are easy enough to understand. However, the walk can also be done with Hermanus’ unique Whale Crier as your guide. The Whale Crier will take you to every board and explain the information present on each in an easy way that doesn’t require you to read through the whole board. He will also willingly answer any extra questions you may have and may give some extra interesting information as the walk progresses. On the walk, the Whale Crier will also give you a brief lesson on the beautiful Fynbos – the species of flowers that grow only in the Cape – and will point out any other animals or birds you may encounter along the way. And, of course, he’ll be all to willing to give you a demonstration of what his famous kelp horn sounds like before pointing you in the direction of the most recently spotted whale. For more information about the Whale Crier, his job and the history of his unique profession in Hermanus, take a look at our blog post about the Whale Crier.

 

If you want more in-depth information about the whales after completing the Whale Walk go and visit Hermanus’ whale museum which holds exhibits, interactive information videos and even a suspended skeleton of a Southern Right Whale. For more information about the whale museum, take a look at our blog post about the museums of Hermanus.

whale tail in walker bay

The Whale Walk can take anything from ten minutes to 3 hours of your time, depending on how long you want to luxuriate surrounded by nature and the sea. You’ll be given interesting information and will still be in prime position of catching sight of a whale as you walk along. So give it a go, whether with your family or friends or with Hermanus’ Whale Crier and get that extra edge about the gentle giants everybody is so eager to view.

During June to November you will also be enthralled by the beautiful Fynbos in flower along the cliff paths…an added bonus!

Very close to these exquisite cliff paths, Eastbury Cottage offers self-catering and B&B accommodation in Hermanus. Contact us here

 

 

Author: Danica Kreusch

Edited: Jenny Bowes Meyer

 

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