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The first whales have started to arrive in Walker Bay! |
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Each year between June and December, Hermanus becomes home to a large number of Southern Right Whales. They flock to the shores of the Western Cape to mate and calve, but more importantly, to awe spectators.
Hermanus has become known for being the best place in the world to do land based whale watching.  Whales in Walker Bay, Hermanus
Although the season starts in June, the peak whale season, with sightings virtually guaranteed on a daily basis, is from August untill the end of October. Most calves are born during August and September, with the whale population peaking during October.
For the past few years a couple of Tour Operators were granted licenses to take whale watchers out on the sea. Strict regulations prevent boat based operators from venturing closer than 50m to the whales. This doesn't seem to be deterring the whales though; there are regular reports of them making unannounced appearances very close to the boats.
The Worlds only Whale Crier
Hermanus also houses the worlds only Whale Crier, who patrols the streets and cliff paths, alerting everyone to the whereabouts of the whales by blowing on his kelp horn.  Whale watchers in Hermanus
From June to November, the Whale Crier can be found doing his rounds along the coastline between 10:00-16:00 daily. During this time, he can also be contacted at the Hermanus Tourism Buro for up to date information on sightings, tel: +27(28)3122629. For the rest of the year he works at the Hermanus Tourism office, where he can be contacted for interviews or public appearances.
| Codes of the whale crier’s horn | | New Harbour | | - ● | | Preekstoel | | ● ● | | Fick’s Pool | | - - | | Old harbour | | - ● - | | Roman Rock | | ● ● ● | | Kwaaiwater | | - - - | | Voëlklip | | ● - ● |
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