Whale Watching Hermanus – Whale watching has become increasingly popular over the last decade due to the vast array of different whale species seen off of the coast of the United States. Hermanus, the smallest town on the west coast of South Africa, benefits from this tourism industry in a unique way.
The town is situated on a point that offers a clear view of the whales as they migrate along the south-east coast. Hermanus residents have been employed as whale watching guide or support staff for many years and have a wealth of knowledge about these fascinating creatures. Whale watching trips can be booked directly with the Hermanus Tourism Board, or through local tour operators.
Whale watching trips aboard a traditional Cape Town fishing vessel provide visitors with a unique, close up view of the whales. Hermanus does not have a fishing industry and as a result, there are limited opportunities for whale watching tours in this town. Hermanus residents have developed unique ways of viewing these great creatures and theirunique ecology. Guide Rhys de Kock, who has been working as a whale watching guide in Hermanus for over 15 years, notes that “the opportunity to share our love and knowledge of the whales with tourists from all corners of the world is a real privilege.”
Whale watching trips provide an excellent opportunity for residents of Hermanus to share their unique town with the world, and to generate much needed income in an economically challenged region.
Where to watch whales in Hermanus
Whale watching has become increasingly popular over the last decade due to the vast array of different whale species seen off of the coast of the United States. Hermanus, the smallest town on the west coast of South Africa, benefits from this tourism industry in a unique way. The town is situated on a point that offers a clear view of the whales as they migrate along the south-east coast.
Hermanus residents have been employed as whale watching guide or support staff for many years and have a wealth of knowledge about these fascinating creatures. Whale watching trips can be booked directly with the Hermanus Tourism Board, or through local tour operators.
Whale watching trips aboard a traditional Cape Town fishing vessel provide visitors with a unique, close up view of the whales. Hermanus does not have a fishing industry and as a result, there are limited opportunities for whale watching tours in this town. Hermanus residents have developed unique ways of viewing these great creatures and theirunique ecology.
Guide Rhys de Kock, who has been working as a whale watching guide in Hermanus for over 15 years, notes that “the opportunity to share our love and knowledge of the whales with tourists from all corners of the world is a real privilege.” Whale watching trips provide an excellent opportunity for residents of Hermanus to share their unique town with the world, and to generate much needed income in an economically challenged region.
How to book a Whale Watching Trip in Hermanus
If you are interested in whale watching, the best time to go is during the July to December season. The best place to go is the New Harbour in Hermanus. The reason this is the best time is that the whales will be in the area feeding and breeding.
There are a few licensed tour operators that operate whale watching trips Hermanus. You can find more information at their websites.
You will want to book your whale watching trip as early as possible because the tours fill up quickly. Another reason to book early is because the tours get canceled due to bad weather. Tours usually run from 9am to 3pm but you can also book a trip that starts at 8am. You can also choose to do a two or three hour trip.
You will need to bring fresh water and will also need to bring a sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses. You can find more information on what to bring on the tour operators’ websites.
When booking your ticket, you will want to make sure you speak to the tour operator about the weather conditions in the area. If it looks like the weather is going to be bad, the tour operator will be able to put you on the list for a Later tour. A later tour is when the tour is scheduled to leave later in the day. If it looks like the weather is going to be good, the tour operator will be able to put you on the list for a Early tour. A early tour is when the tour is scheduled to leave early in the morning.
When you arrive at the tour landing dock, you will be given a ticket and a visit from the whales. You will be given a safety briefing and then you will be out on the ship. You will be given a headset and a hydrophone to listen to the whales. You will also be given snacks, water, and a hat.
The tour will take you around the Hermanus coast that is called Walkerbay. You will see the whales swimming and diving. You will also see them eating. You will see them playing and blowing bubbles. You will see them as they migrate. You will see them at their natural habitat.
Whale watching is a great experience. It is an environmentally friendly way to enjoy the ocean. It is also a safe activity. Most tour operators have safety guidelines that you must follow. For example, you must not touch the whales. You must not take pictures of the whales. You must not scream or make any noise. You must not approach the whales too closely.
Is it safe to watch whales from a boat?
Whale watching from a boat is a safe activity. The size of the whales and the distance from the boat create a safety buffer for both passengers and crew.
History of the Southern Right and Humpback Whale
Whales have been around on earth for quite some time and they have played an important role in the history of Hermanus. The first whales were probably just small dolphins or porpoises and they lived in the oceans. As time went on, larger whales evolved including the bowhead, beluga, and sperm whale. Whales were important in the coastal areas of Hermanus because they were used for food, oil, and fertilizer. The whale oil was used in lamps, candles, and soaps.
The fertilizer was used to grow crops. The whale meat was also eaten by people. Whales were important in the ocean because they provided important resources such as food, oil, and fertilizer. They were also important in the coastal areas of Hermanus because they were used for transportation. Whales were used to transport people and goods across the ocean. Whales were also used to hunt other animals. Whales were important in the history of Hermanus because they were used for transportation, food, fuel, and agriculture.
The Whale Watcher’s Guide
Whale watching is a popular pastime enjoyed by many people around the globe. It is a great way to get a close look at these creatures and to learn more about their behavior and ecology. Whale watching tours can vary quite a bit in terms of the quality of services and amenities offered, but there are a few things that are basically common to all of them.
First and foremost, any good whale watching tour will provide you with a very good overview of the local ecosystem. You will likely be briefed on the latest whale sightings and will have the opportunity to ask the tour operators questions about the whales and their environment. Whale watching tours can also provide insight into the hunting and captivity of these beings and can even provide a historical overview of whaling.
Another important part of a good whale watching tour is the vessel itself. A good tour operator will take great care in selecting the right boat for the tour, and the boat itself should be well-maintained and in good condition. You will want to make sure that the boat has onboard amenities like bathrooms and kitchens, as well as comfortable seating for all of the passengers.
The last thing that you want to consider is the tour itself. There are a few different types of whale watching tours, but all of them provide you with a fascinating and educational experience. Some tours are conducted from ships while others use small boat tours. Whichever type of tour you go on, make sure that you do your research so that you can choose the best one for you.
Types of Whales you will see in Hermanus
The Humpback Whale
The humpback whale is perhaps the most well-known and iconic of all the animals in the ocean. These enormous creatures have been around for millions of years and have seen more than their fair share of changes and tragedies. Despite their formidable size and strength, the humpback whale is a gentle and intelligent creature.
The humpback whale is thought to be one of the most avian-like of all the whales and is responsible for the breeding of many different kinds of seabirds. They are also one of the few cetaceans that are known to feed on plankton.
Humpback whales have interesting and fascinating anatomy that sets them apart from other whales. Their long “tail” is made up of about half their total body length and is filled with hundreds of sharp spines. This “tail” is used to propulsion the whale through the water and it also helps the whale to avoid obstacles. The humpback whale’s tail is unique among whales in that it is the only cetacean that contains a cerebellum, a major brain structure.
The humpback whale is one of the most successful and long-lived animals on Earth. They are estimated to live for up to 90 years and can weigh in at more than 200,000 pounds. The humpback whale is a protected species under the United States Endangered Species Act and is currently considered to be in low risk of extinction.
Despite their protection, the humpback whale is still vulnerable to pollution, whaling, and other threats to their survival.
The Southern Right Whale
The southern right whale is the most endangered of all baleen whales. Extinction is a real possibility for this species, and it seems like there’s not much that anyone can do about it.
The southern right whale is one of the big guys. At up to 30 feet long and 110,000 pounds, it’s almost as big as a blue whale. But there’s nothing majestic about the southern right whale. It’s one of the world’s oldest and most vulnerable baleen whales.
There are only around 350 southern right whales left in the world, and most of them are in southern right whale sanctuaries in the US and Canada. The whales get their name from the right side of their heads, which are dominated by a large and powerful jaw.
The southern right whale is an important species both to theenvironmentand to humankind. The southern right whale is an important cetacean because it is the only species of baleen whale that can feed entirely on crustaceans.
The southern right whale is also important to humankind because it is a whale that is still alive in the world. The commercial whaling of southern right whales ended in the 1970s, and today, the southern right whale is just one of a few endangered species that you can see in wild.
There’s not much that people can do to save the southern right whale, but we can try to protect its habitat. If we can save the southern right whale, we can hope that we can save other endangered species as well.
What is the difference between the Southern Right Whale and the Humpback Whale?
There is a vast difference between the southern right whale and the humpback whale. The southern right whale is a much smaller whale, typically measuring around 24 meters in length, while the humpback whale can reach lengths of up to 46 meters. The humpback whale also has a much larger head and hump, which give it its characteristic “back-faced” appearance.
The southern right whale is primarily a feeder, eating tiny organisms such as krill, while the humpback whale is a predator, preying on larger creatures such as fish and squid. The southern right whale is also much less vocal than the humpback whale.
The southern right whale is potentially threatened by whaling, while the humpback whale is not. The southern right whale is hunted for its meat and oil, while the humpback whale is not. The southern right whale is also heavily affected by pollution, while the humpback whale is not. In fact, the humpback whale is one of the few cetaceans that has thrived in recent years due to the decline of many other species due to human activity.
Why do Whales come to Hermanus
Whales come to Hermanus because of its rich marine life, including sharks, stingrays, and other large fish. The coral reefs and many shoals of fish make Hermanus the perfect place for these massive creatures to feed and play. Additionally, Hermanus has a warm climate and a variety of habitats including mangroves, seabeds, and offshore banks.
From June to December every year, southern right whales congregate here to deliver one of nature’s most remarkable spectacles. Hermanus’ shallow, sandy coves and warmer, calmer waters provide whales with the ideal environment to start and eventually complete their up to three-year-long reproductive cycles and have their calves in the warm water.
The majestic southern right whales have travelled a long way to get here – thousands of kilometers – on a journey that starts in June. Then by early Decemberll head in the opposite direction again, back down south to fill their mighty bellies until the following year, when they do it all again. But why do southern right whales undertake these grueling distance migrations?
These factors all contribute to making Hermanus a perfect place for whales to live and play.
Companies that offer Whale Watching in Hermanus
- Dyer Island Cruises – Contact Details and Website
- Southern Right Charters – Contact Details and Website
- Hermanus Whale Cruises – Contact Details and Website
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The Complete Whale Watching Guide in Hermanus