If you're looking to spot a whale, the first few things you'll hear people say is:
"Hermanus has the best land-based whale watching in the world" and "You're sure to see hundreds of whales breaching from the waters off the rocky cliffs to the West" or "You'll definitely see them lob tailing from the vantage point of the golden beaches to the East".
And this indeed is a fact.
Every year, like clockwork, the whales return to Hermanus for their yearly rendezvous in Walker Bay, carrying out their annual rhythms of mating and calving.
Considering what people actually understand about the Southern Right Whale - named because it was the "right" whale to hunt ? the whales perspective will always be something mysterious and unknown.
What we do know is that they prefer the warmer waters of Walker Bay for a breeding ground rather than the cold waters of their usual haunt, the Arctic Circle.
According to the calendar they can be seen from July to November. What areas of Walker Bay or the time of day to expect them is hard to say. But there is one expert in Hermanus who is sure to know.
The Whale Crier of Hermanus
If you've never heard of the Whale Crier of Hermanus, it's because Hermanus is the only place in the world to have one. If you're interested in whales this is one whale expert you definitely need to meet.
Pieter Claasen was the first to lift a horn-shaped tube of kelp to his lips at age 11, sounding the first base notes announcing the arrival of the whales. Since then, his predecessor, Wilson Salukazana, has become Hermanus's second whale crier.
He answers any questions posed to him about whales?
Wilson can tell you where they come from, what kinds there are in the bay and even the names of the aerial stunts they perform. He also knows the best coves along the shore and the places where you can get within 20m of these gentle submariners.
However, his most useful service is a system for notifying whale enthusiasts by coded calls issued from his kelp trumpet.
When he sees the whales on yonder horizon, he blows his trusty horn like he was at home watching a soccer match! And the crowds come running. Two long calls for the viewing spot at Roman Rock. One short call for the Old Harbour, where you can zoom in on the whales with the telescopes provided. One long, one short and another long call for the Vo?lklip lookout position.
These are just a few, but there are other spots the Whale Crier claims are even better standpoints for whale watching.
Wilson, the Whale Crier, has many whale tales to tell. If you catch him at the right time, you can hear the legends he has gathered from the past that only he knows how to tell.
The ancient whale migration patterns have remained unbroken for thousands of years...
The Moby Dick Hermanus Whale Festival
Another thing you can count on is the annual Moby Dick Hermanus Whale Festival, happening during the last week of September. Expect things to be in full swing, offering festive greetings to the whales on their return.
The festival is perfectly timed for the spring season and serves as a great way of welcoming back the spirit of springtime for both parties.
The festival centres on the towns market place. Food stalls sell freshly produced foods from the nearby farms, crafters display skilfully made earthenware pottery and assorted trinkets all uniquely crafted by hand. Restaurants bustle with activity and the pubs pour drinks well into the night.
Hermanus is for Everyone
Hermanus is a haven for crafters and musicians, quiet folks and artists. All see its mountains, beaches, wild flora, fauna and of course the whales from their own point of view.
Whether you're gazing at the ocean from the rocky cliffs to the West or marvelling at the sunsets from golden beaches to the East, the friendly people of Hermanus invite you to draw your own experiences.
The Windsor Hotel is situated on a cliff edge just meters form the sea. Providing advantageous perspectives on the Indian Ocean, it was built in 1896 making it the most well-established hotel in hermanus. The staff at the Windsor Hotel will make your stay a seaside holiday you'll never want to leave behind.
Alto Pass chicago limos ..Have you ever had a backpacking trip that was a... Read More
The islands of Samoa are emerging as an exciting new... Read More
A rigid inflatable boat is defined as a hard-hulled boat... Read More
It seems like the most adventurous thing in the world.... Read More
Bird Watching is a great way to escape the rat... Read More
Important information about camping stoves...What type of camping, hiking, or... Read More
Malaria is endemic to most of the areas in Africa... Read More
If you're a birder, you want to keep a list... Read More
The sport of river rafting was practically invented in Colorado.... Read More
The Cairns Fishing Adventure A Great Australia Road TripYou love... Read More
If you're looking to spot a whale, the first few... Read More
In The city of Arcadia California, right next door to... Read More
Six different islands in Hawaii are open to tourism. Most... Read More
I stood at the observation point on the balcony at... Read More
The Royal Barge Procession in Bangkok, conducted on very rare... Read More
A meal in Greece is highlighted with a selection of... Read More
Sun, Sand and Surf ? an apt description for Goa?... Read More
Barnegat Light, NJ is the home to "Old Barney" a... Read More
Recently we stayed at a state campground in Michigan near... Read More
Everyone has a travel dream. For many it is hitting... Read More
Organized river rafting trips are a good idea for novices... Read More
WHAT TO HUNT AND WHERE: Alaska is a hunter's paradise.... Read More
Thousands of golfers flock to the Carolinas each spring and... Read More
There were four of us on that first Tom Sawyer... Read More
SAFE WALKING TREKKING OUTDOORSIf you are contemplating a long distance... Read More
Alto Pass cool limo ..Once described in a 1950 article as "The Town That... Read More
How to get the most out of your trekking poles... Read More
Spring:Essential items when preparing for a walk-Compass-First aid kit -... Read More
Why ultralight backpacks? Devotees of ultralight backpacking know you reduce... Read More
With so many different designs, packing a backpack will vary... Read More
San Diego offers a bevy of interesting hikes. With the... Read More
The great state of Washington offers some of the best... Read More
Solo backpacking means peace and quiet. No one to talk... Read More
1. Take the early morning drives on safari even though... Read More
Simply sitting and watching birds is a popular hobby around... Read More
Spain: sun, sea, sand and Spanish... discover us! Spain, a... Read More
Perhaps you have wondered about taking an RV vacation. It... Read More
A South Africa safari is the ideal wildlife trip to... Read More
Bryce Whitmore designed the modern whitewater inflatable pontoon boat, and... Read More
Sharklife.co.za has been fighting an ongoing for the protection of... Read More
Take a captivating trip through the Cape Cod National Seashore... Read More
It is the downhill ski racing competition of the winter... Read More
TENT CAREYou should seal all floor seams and those seams... Read More
HOW ARE MINERALS FORMED?MINERALS are naturally occuring, inorganic solids, with... Read More
On Lake Michigan, at the end of the Stonington Peninsula,... Read More
To get the most out of a wildebeest migration safari... Read More
Yuma, Arizona. In the winter, it's the best town in... Read More
Every year around 40 million visitors come to Florida for... Read More
There are many manufacturers of inflatable boats on the market... Read More
Today Bookpleasures and Sketchandtravel are pleased to have as our... Read More
Outdoors |