A Whale of a Time
Peak Season in South Africa
What to Expect
The festival celebrates Southern Right Whales and the conservation of marine life, with free entertainment for all.
Watch whales from land or sea
Conservation and environmental focus
Free music, food, parades, culture
The Festival Experience
Whale Season Unfolds
From clifftop vantage points to boat-based encounters, witness the Southern Right Whales in their element.
Whales from the Shore
Spot Southern Right Whales from Hermanus's dramatic clifftop viewing points, binoculars in hand, as they breach and play in the waters below.
Up Close at Sea
Board a whale-watching boat and drift among the whales as they surface, their white callosities gleaming, breeding and frolicking in their natural habitat.
Festival Celebration
Beyond the whales, live music, food stalls, parades, and classic cars fill the streets—free entertainment that honors conservation and community.
Where Land and Sea Meet Your Bucket List
The Hermanus Whale Festival is the only eco-marine festival in South Africa, running each year from late September through early October. It's where the Southern Right Whales arrive to breed and frolick in the surf, and where you can check both the Big 5 on land and the biggest by sea off your wildlife list in a single journey. Watch from the shore or venture out on the water—either way, it's a truly magical marine-life experience. The festival celebrates conservation, environmental awareness, and sustainable travel alongside culture, music, food, parades, and entertainment, all free to enjoy.
The Hermanus Whale Festival is the only eco-marine festival in South Africa, running each year from late September through early October. It's where the Southern Right Whales arrive to breed and frolick in the surf, and where you can check both the Big 5 on land and the biggest by sea off your wildlife list in a single journey. Watch from the shore or venture out on the water—either way, it's a truly magical marine-life experience. The festival celebrates conservation, environmental awareness, and sustainable travel alongside culture, music, food, parades, and entertainment, all free to enjoy.
Ready to Go