Water Based

Whale and Calf

Hermanus has been recognized by the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) as one of the 12 best whale watching destinations in the world. The best time to enjoy whale watching in Hermanus is between July and November either from the beach, the famous cliff path, by boat or from the air via a scenic flight. The whale viewing during the months of July and August vary from year to year with regards to how many whales are present in Walker Bay and along the coast; however you are almost guaranteed of seeing whales in September, October and November. For those with a more adventurous spirit, a guided sea kayaking trip promises to get the adrenaline going and offers a unique opportunity to paddle inside Walker Bay Whale Sanctuary.

Hermanus, particularly Walker Bay, is the mating and breeding grounds of the Southern Right Whales during the winter and spring months(from June through November). Southern Right Whales migrate from the Antarctic around June to calve and mate. Calving takes place in August and September and the males arrive for mating in October when the whale population peaks.


Your sea kayaking trip will start in the historic Old Harbour in Hermanus where you will meet your Walker Bay Adventure guide to discover the magic of this unique coastline with its abundant marine life and fantastic whale watching in season. All guides are qualified in marine guiding and first aid at sea, however more importantly they are passionate about the ocean and have extensive knowledge of the bay and weather patterns. Their kayaks are manufactured in the UK and very stable enabling anybody to take part in this exceptional adventure activity whether you have prior experience or not.

For more information, please visit our Activities & Operators page.

The Klein River Lagoon offers a peaceful retreat especially when discovered from a canoe.

The Klein River is also known as the Hermanus Lagoon, situated approximately 5 km outside Hermanus and is 10 km in length, surrounded by the beautiful Klein River Mountains and Walker Bay Nature Reserve. The entrance is situated at Grotto beach in Voëlklip. The area is home to approximately 130 bird species, including some of the rarest coastal breeding birds in Africa including the impressive fish eagle. Keen fishermen are attracted to the area and fish species include steenbras, harders, springers, elf & kob. The lagoon also offers breathtaking sunsets and a unique setting at full moon.

For more information, please visit our Activities & Operators page.

The This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. offers exciting kite surfing lessons in the safety of the Klein River and Bot River lagoons. The water is waist deep and pleasantly warm in the summer months. Although winds vary, they are generally on the lighter side, which is perfect for beginners but no lessons take place when the wind gets stronger than 20 knots.

The school provides all equipment, such as a wetsuit, kites, lines, a harness, impact jacket and a hard hat. The course is divided into three sections with a minimum of 2 hours spent on each section. This is necessary to communicate all the required safety precautions as well as get you ready for your first unaided trip. This means that you will have to do a minimum of 6 hours before you will be able to kite-board safely on your own. The lessons are worth it though, as you will soon feel the exhilaration of navigating the shores of the lagoon at speed.

For more information, please visit our Activities & Operators page.

Whale Cruises and Tours in Hermanus

Visitors to Hermanus are truly spoilt for choice when it comes to boating and river cruises. Boat based whale watching trips take place during the whale season months of June to December; however this may vary depending on the arrival of the whales.

Whale watching boat trips depart from the New Harbour in Hermanus and 3 boat trips per day are usually available. The duration of these trips are approximately 2 hours long, however the exact departure times need to be confirmed with the various operators when booking.

Other marine life that may be encountered en route include seals, penguins, marine birds, Southern Right whales, sometimes Bryde's whales, dolphins and Humpback whales at certain times of the year. Licensed operators and permit holders are only permitted to approach the whales up to 50m allowing the whales the freedom to move. They are naturally curious and often approach the whale boats to take a closer look. Pre-booking is recommended and all boat trips are weather permitting. Bay Cruises and Sundowner cruises are also available at certain times of the year.

For more information, please visit our Activities & Operators page.