Giants of Walker Bay – Hermanus
From the cliffs of Hermanus today, Walker Bay offered another unforgettable encounter with its gentle giants. Southern right whales surfaced close together, their dark backs glistening in the sunlight, while their distinctive callosities stood out against the blue-grey waters. For those watching from the cliff path, every surfacing and gentle movement offered a reminder of the remarkable marine life that makes Hermanus such a special place during whale season.
During the spring peak (typically running from winter through November), Walker Bay offers sheltered, calm waters ideal for Southern Right whales to nurse calves, socialize, and rest before embarking on their long migration back toward the Antarctic feeding grounds. The combination of active surface behaviors—spy hopping, breaching, and tail-fluking—makes a productive day on the bay or along the coastal cliffs.
A dramatic afternoon at Gearing’s Point as a Southern Right whale launches high above the calm Walker Bay waters in a powerful breach.
Framed by the lifting tail fluke and cascading ocean spray, nature put on an unforgettable show right off the Hermanus cliffs.
