As the world celebrated World Ocean Day on 8 June, the gentle giants of Walker Bay in Hermanus were already writing their own story – one that began earlier than expected.

There’s a particular kind of magic that settles over the Overberg coastline every year. This year, that magic arrived early. Whale watchers and marine operators along the Overberg coast were caught pleasantly off guard when Southern Right Whales were spotted near De Kelders and the broader Overstrand area as early as the beginning of May – weeks ahead of the season’s typical kick-off around June. Humpback whale activity was also reported alongside these early arrivals, adding to the spectacle for those fortunate enough to be watching.

According to a marine biologist the formal whale watching season in Hermanus generally runs from June through to November or December, with the peak between August and October. “It is not unheard of for the first scouts of the migration to begin appearing from late April. But early May sightings are still something special – a reminder that the ocean operates on its own schedule and nature’s calendar doesn’t always align with ours,” he explained.

One of the World’s Great Whale Watching Destinations

Hermanus, holds a globally celebrated reputation: it is widely regarded as one of the best land-based whale watching destinations in the world. There are very few places on the planet where you can watch 50-tonne ocean giants from a Cliff Path, a restaurant terrace, or even a hotel balcony. The town’s famous 12-kilometre Cliff Path stretches along the shoreline and offers walkers extraordinary vantage points, while the Old Harbour and spots like Siever’s Point and Grotto Beach are perennial favourites for whale spotters.

For those who want to get closer, boat-based tours launch from the New Harbour, offering intimate encounters that stay respectful of the whales’ space. Hermanus even employs one of the world’s last remaining whale criers – a town crier who walks the streets blowing a kelp horn to alert residents and visitors to where whales have been sighted. It is a tradition as charming and unique as the town itself.

While Hermanus draws the largest crowds, the broader Overberg offers a wealth of extraordinary whale watching experiences for those willing to explore. De Kelders, near Gansbaai, is arguably one of the most dramatic shore-based whale viewing spots in South Africa – the cliffs here drop sharply to the sea and Southern Right Whales, particularly mothers with calves, congregate in the shallow waters below. Gansbaai itself, operating from Kleinbaai Harbour, offers boat-based tours that combine whale encounters with the famous shark cage diving experiences for which the area is renowned. Pearly Beach, Arniston (Waenhuiskrans), Witsand at the mouth of the Breede River and the coastline near Struisbaai and Cape Agulhas – Africa’s southernmost tip – all offer seasonal opportunities to witness these magnificent creatures.