Travel to the Whale Coast
The Whale Coast
is a prime coastal area
in easy reach of Cape Town
great beaches and coastal wildlife reserves
The Whale Coast is located in the Western Cape region of South Africa.
This stretch of coastline starts just 50 km from Cape Town and runs for 250 km to Witsand in the east.
The area may be best known for whale-watching and shark-diving, but there’s much more on offer, including remote beaches, amazing dune-fields and superb landscapes in which to hike, ride, mountain bike or quad-bike.
There are also ancient Strandloper caves, remote lighthouses and historic farming communities, all backed by the most incredible fynbos flora.
We regularly recommend including a stay on the Whale Coast in trips, it is a great way to include a little bit of beach for those who are not also heading over to the Indian Ocean (although these cold water beaches are nothing like those tropical areas).
The best known location is the coastal resort of Hermanus, but we generally prefer to visit the fabulous and remote coastal reserve of De Hoop.
Set on the Whale Coast, De Hoop is a lovely coastal nature reserve, a real hidden gem, containing fabulous white dunes, swimmable rock pools, shore-based whale-watching (Jun-Oct), fascinating endemic fynbos flora and fauna, plus a good range of larger mammals, notably including baboons, bonteboks and caracals. There are a handful of good accommodation options.
superb coastal reserve
At 340 square kilometres, De Hoop Nature Reserve is the wilderness highlight of the Whale Coast.
There’s lots of whales here during the Jun-Oct season, but viewing is from the shore only.
There is a good range of wildlife, including bonteboks, springboks, elands, baboons, ostriches and caracals.
The coastline is backed by impressive dunefields.
There are fabulous coastal hikes and superb beaches.
These natural pools are much warmer than the open ocean and great for snorkelling.
The hinterland is renowned for its endemic ‘fynbos’ vegetation.
The majority of accommodation is in simple cottages at the park authority headquarters at De Opstal.
For the lucky few there is the remote and extremely high quality Morukuru Ocean House.
Access is usually by self-drive, a couple of hours from either Cape Town or Franschhoek.
Set on the Whale Coast, Hermanus is a busy coastal settlement, the undisputed whale-watching capital of South Africa during the Jun-Nov season, with a good selection of accommodation and a wide range of activities.
whale-watching centre
Although much expanded in recent years, Hermanus retains a relatively pleasant and relaxed atmosphere.
All five major species of whale pass around the Cape Jun-Oct, notably the southern right whale, which comes in very close to shore to calve.
Whales can be watched from the shore or on dedicated boat trips.
To the east lies the sweeping Walker Bay Nature Reserve and the shark-diving base of Gansbaai.
The surrounding hills are home to superb endemic ‘fynbos’ flora and fauna.
The town contains a good range of accommodation across the full price spectrum.
Set on the Whale Coast, Gansbaai is an honest and workmanlike fishing port which attracts few visitors. The nearby Kleinbaai is the best location for cage diving with great white sharks, whilst the fynbos hinterland contains some interesting and upmarket lodges.
cage-diving with great whites
The settlement of Gansbaai itself is a functional working port, not unpleasant, but short on quality accommodation options.
A little further south lies the smaller and more laid back settlement of Kleinbaai …
… which is the main base for shark cage diving and whale watching trips.
The modern suburb of De Kelders is renowned for shore-based whale-watching and contains a couple of decent guest houses.
The beautiful fynbos covered hills inland from here contain a handful of very attractive lodges …
… which serve as excellent bases from which to explore the greater area.
The sweeping arc of the Walker Bay Nature Reserve contains some fabulous remote beaches …
… and offers opportunities for activities include quad-biking, kayaking, hiking and dune-surfing.
The relatively attractive inland village of Stanford lies at the back of Walker Bay …
.. with a couple of nice lodges sitting alongside a large and scenic lagoon.
Set on the Whale Coast, Agulhas is a relatively uninteresting residential settlement which happens to contain the most southerly point of the African continent and therefore attracts a gentle stream of visitors keen to say they have literally reached that milestone.
southern tip of Africa
The seaside town of Agulhas is largely comprised of suburban streets of retirement and holiday homes.
It happens to be the most southerly point of Africa, supposedly the point where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet.
Trans-Africa overlanders consider a visit here to be something of a pilgrimmage.
But for the majority of travellers, there is little reason to make the diversion down here.
Browse our collections of sample trips …
Set on the Whale Coast, Arniston is a relatively pretty and peaceful coastal village which is renowned for its traditional fishing settlement and broad sandy beaches. It is particularly popular with domestic travellers during the main vacation seasons and consists largely of holiday homes.
pretty coastal village
Arniston is a relatively sleepy coastal settlement.
The area is renowned for is broad sandy beaches …
… is dominated by the oversized Arniston Spa Hotel …
… and is a popular location for domestic tourists and retired folks.
To the east of town lies the very pretty original settlement …
… and the dune-lined beaches leading off to the De Hoop reserve.
Set on the eastern side of False Bay, the Hangklip Peninsula is a notable promontory which is skirted by a scenic coastal drive that can be used when travelling from Cape Town to Hermanus. Modest highlights include a penguin colony and important botanical gardens at Betty’s Bay
scenic route to Hermanus
Although much expanded in recent years, Hermanus retains a relatively pleasant and relaxed atmosphere.
All five major species of whale pass around the Cape Jun-Oct, notably the southern right whale, which comes in very close to shore to calve.
Whales can be watched from the shore or on dedicated boat trips.
To the east lies the sweeping Walker Bay Nature Reserve and the shark-diving base of Gansbaai.
The surrounding hills are home to superb endemic ‘fynbos’ flora and fauna.
The town contains a good range of accommodation across the full price spectrum.
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