South Africa’s coast of whales

Whale population are on the increase, and the Cape is one of the best places in the world to see the southern right whale in coastal waters.

No fewer than 29 species of toothed whale (Odontoceti), including the killer whale, are found off the South African coast, along with eight species of baleen whale (suborder Mysticeti). However, by far the most commonly spotted are the southern right whales, pods of which seek out sheltered bays along the Cape coastline every year for breeding. Between June and December, there is a good chance of seeing them all the way round the peninsula from Elands Bay on the west coast to Mossel Bay on the Garden Route. On a good day, you might see them “Spy hopping” (standing on their tails with their heads out of water), “lob tailing” (slapping their flukes on the water’s surface) or “breaching”- leaping out of the sea like a trout.

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Lakeview Holiday Home Hermanus

Lakeview Holiday Home Hermanus is a luxury four-bedroomed home located in Vermont on the edge of a lake which is home to a bird sanctuary. Lakeview is just a five-minute walk from the sea and 11 km from the quaint holiday village of Hermanus, South Africa's whale-watching capital.

The self-catering home can accommodate up to eight guests in four bedrooms. All the the bedrooms are en-suite, three of them containing showers and the fourth containing a bath. The house features a fully equipped, open-plan kitchen leading onto a lounge and dining area with a flat screen TV with DStv and local channels. Wi-Fi Internet connection is also available. Additional features include a laundry, barbecue facilities on the patio, an on-site garage, and off-street parking for up to four vehicles.

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HERMANUS

Famous for its champagne air, long stretches of beach, mild climate, rich floral kingdom and friendly environment, Hermanus is within easy reach of Cape Town International Airport. Hermanus, also described as the Riviera of the South, offers the best shore-based whale watching in the world. Nature lovers from all over the world visit Hermanus to view these magnificent creatures from the the cliffs.

Every year around July, locals eagerly await the arrival of special guests of honour, the Southern Right Whales. These visitors are an endless source of delight as they gambol in Walker Bay, in easy view of the cliff paths. They favour the relatively shallow waters of the bay for breeding and mating.

During the summer months the white sandy beaches are filled with holiday makers enjoying the sunny weather and excellent swimming in the sea. Hermanus is the ideal overwintering resort for visitors who wish to escape the cold Northern Hemisphere.

This narrow coastal town, between the fynbos-covered mountains and the waves of the Atlantic is a haven for the outdoor enthusiast. There is golf, tennis, squash, bowls, canoeing, yachting, diving and surfing to enjoy. For those who need the adrenalin rush there are the thrills of hang-gliding and powerboat racing.

And that's not all:

·         Boat-based whale watching

·         Shark cage diving with the Great White Shark in the cold Atlantic.

·         Rock lobster fishing tours during season.

·         Hermanus is regarded as the principal centre of the perlemoen industry. The perlemoen derives its South African name from a corruption of the Dutch perlemoer, meaning mother-of-pearl, from the beautiful pearl-lined interior of its shell. It is known internationally as abalone or Venus ear.

·         Quaint boutiques, markets and shops. Lovers of semi-precious stones can purchase from a wide selection of gifts and jewellery manufactured locally.

·         There are numerous art and craft studios and galleries -mostly managed by the artists themselves.

·         Several of the country's top wine estates will please the wine connoisseur. Various acclaimed wines are being produced in the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde valley, and wine lovers can sample some of them by following the Hermanus Wine Route.

·         Kilometres of unspoilt beaches, coves and sheltered bays. Wide open sandy beaches and magnificent lagoons attract all kinds of watersport lovers, from sailing to motor boat enthusiasts and anglers.

·         The unique cliff path, hugging the coast from one side of town to the other.The views of sea and mountains are spectacular, and from July to November the Southern Right Whale may be seen just off-shore, also dolphins and seals.

·         Waler sports on a tranquil lagoon or diving, fishing and boating in the sea.

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