offers wide panoramic views over Walker Bay. It helps to be early. Early mornings usually provide calmer seas and better visibility.
WHERE TO GO The 12km Cliff Path in Hermanus offers some of the world’ s best land-based whale watching, with whales often spotted just metres from shore. Popular viewing spots include Dreunkrans near Fick’ s Pool, Windsor Bay, Gearing’ s Point, and the Old Harbour terraces overlooking Walker Bay. Siever’ s Point is a favourite for close sightings, while the Kwaaiwater lookout is easily accessible by car. Visitors can also head to De Gang via Bergen-See for more scenic viewing areas. For a relaxed coastal experience, the rocks above Voëlklip and Grotto beaches provide perfect whale spotting opportunities during the season.
Boat tours also become popular around June, giving visitors a chance to get closer to the action while learning more about the migration patterns and behaviour of southern right whales.
STAY FOR THE WINE But Hermanus isn’ t only about whale watching. Winter brings its own charm to the coastal town. Wine farms in the nearby Hemel-en-Aarde Valley become ideal stops after a chilly morning by the sea, while fireplaces crackle inside small guesthouses and seafood restaurants around the harbour.
The arrival of whale season also signals one of the busiest periods for local tourism. Visitors from around the world travel to Hermanus specifically for these sightings, especially as the season builds towards its peak. Yet June offers something many travellers prefer: fewer crowds and the feeling that you’ re witnessing the start of something special.
So, when you’ re standing along the cliffs as the wind cuts through your jacket, it becomes clear why people return every year. Whale watching in Hermanus isn’ t flashy or overproduced. It’ s simple. Cold air, crashing waves, and the possibility that at any moment, something enormous and ancient might rise from the ocean right in front of you. IB
26 INBOUND SA / JUNE 2026