Whale Route

People have been fascinated by the world's largest animal for thousands of years. Most of this time, whales were exploited for their meat, oil, and blubber. The first recorded whale hunts date back as far as 3 000 BC. The first method people used to hunt whales was by trying to 'scare' whales into bays and onto land, with very little success. Later a drogue – a semi-floating object that attaches to a harpoon – was used. The drogue tired out the whale with drag and buoyancy, giving whalers a chance to come close and make the kill. The first attempt at whaling in South Africa was in 1653 when Commander Jan Van Riebeeck sent a hooker to Saldanha Bay, but it was largely unsuccessful, and the Dutch dropped the idea.

Commercial whaling started in South Africa in the late 18th century and increased drastically throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Midway through the 20th century, most of the larger whale species had been depleted, and the much less profitable small minke whale was the only whale left to hunt. Whaling was banned in South Africa in 1979. In the 1990s, whale watching became popular and had been growing. Hermanus is one of the top 12 whale-watching destinations worldwide. There are several excellent vantage points to observe these gentle giants, including Siever's Point, Kwaaiwater lookout, and many more.

A large variety of whale species occur in the waters of the coast of South Africa, but only two of these species are regularly seen. The most commonly sighted whale would be the Southern right whale. It was named the 'right' whale as it was easy to hunt, rich in oil, had high-quality baleen, and floated after being killed. Between June and November, the Southern right whales come to shallow waters between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town, where females give birth and rear young in sheltered bays.

The other common specie is the humpback whale. Humpbacks can be identified by long, narrow flippers and a single straight spray when they breathe. They overwinter in tropical and subtropical areas off Africa's east and west coasts. The males produce melodious "songs" that can be heard over vast distances underwater. The Southern right and humpback whales breach with a spectacular leap and crash back into the water. Another specie, the Bryde's whale, can be seen off the east coast during the sardine run. Killer whales or orcas are seen around the coast of South Africa during the summer, where they feed on whales, dolphins, seals, sharks, squid, turtles, and birds.

Hermanus (originally called Hermanuspietersfontein) lies within the Cape Floral region, which has one of the world's highest plant diversities and endemism. The Cape Floristic Region is the smallest of the six recognized floral kingdoms, yet it is home to more than 9 000 plant species.

For those who want to learn more about the various plant species, the Fernkloof Nature Reserve in Hermanus is the perfect place. The area includes the Botanical Centre buildings, a Herbarium and Nursery, well-kept gardens, and several hiking trails. Three plant species are endemic to the reserve, and approximately 20 are endemic to the reserve and the surrounding area. Visitors to Hermanus can also visit Grotto Beach, the largest beach in Hermanus, which has also been proclaimed a Blue Flag beach. Hoy's Koppie is another popular site.