The Ultimate Whale-Watching Lookout Post

When the whales arrive in Walker Bay

There’s something mesmerising about seeing the spectacular southern right whales in their natural habitat. The fact that we can watch them at close range from Birkenhead House, our luxury property overlooking the vast coastline in the town of Hermanus, is a privilege we don’t take lightly.

Hermanus is known as one of South Africa’s prime whale-watching spots. It’s the only town in South Africa with its own “whale crier”, and a few years back WWF (The World Wildlife Fund) recognised Hermanus as one of the 12 best whale-watching destinations in the world. Whale-watching season is generally from July until November (peaking during September and October), when Walker Bay becomes the breeding ground for the southern right whales. This year, these majestic creatures arrived early in the bay, much to the delight of local residents and whale enthusiasts.

Front-Row Seats and Clifftop Views

There are a number of key whale-watching spots along the Hermanus coastline, and visitors love to walk along the cliffs trying to spot these giants of the ocean. Boat charters offer another exciting opportunity to get a little closer to the whales, as does sea kayaking, or of course you could book your room at Birkenhead House and watch them right from the deckchairs at the pool.

Birkenhead House General Manager Shane Brummer says guests come back time and time again to experience whale sightings from the property’s incredible clifftop position overlooking Walker Bay.

He says, “The proximity of these magnificent creatures to our property allows guests to observe their natural behaviours in a tranquil setting. From our elegant bedrooms to our charming common areas, the views are simply breathtaking.”

An Incredible Journey

The southern right whales migrate from the polar regions to our shallow waters to mate, and calving takes place in August and September. An adult southern right whale can weigh up to 40 tonnes and be as long as 17 metres. Watching their playful manoeuvres in the bay is a sight to behold, and we make sure that there’s always an extra pair of binoculars close by for guests when the whales make an appearance.

Populations of southern right whales are beginning to recover from the lows they reached during the days of commercial whaling – each year, we see more of these magnificent creatures. The whales aren’t just a special sight – they are also the evidence of a global conservation success story.

Celebrating the Hermanus Whales

The annual whale migration has become such an important part of the cultural fabric of the region that there is even a festival dedicated to these ocean visitors: the Hermanus Whale Festival, is now in its 33rd year. The town hosts thousands of visitors over three days, with street parades, markets, eco-marine displays, live music and entertainment and fun activities, and with most of the local establishments getting involved. This year’s event will take place from 27 to 29 September.

Effortless Moments of Appreciation

During the migration season, sightings tend to be frequent enough that you can simply relax and enjoy your stay while keeping an eye on the ocean – or simply count on our vigilant staff to act as your spotters, and let you know when they spy a mother and calf close to shore.

At Birkenhead House, we are fortunate enough to have front-row seats to Walker Bay, and the bonus is that despite our close proximity to the ocean, there’s no danger of getting seasick on our deck – and we can promise that you’ll never tire of watching the passing whales.

Book Your Perfect Stay

There are so many reasons to book your perfect stay at Birkenhead House, and we’ve just given you one more. For more information about our property or to book, please click here.