Cape For All Seasons – What to Do Along the Whale Coast

The Whale Coast in South Africa is a stretch of coastline from approximately Gordon’s Bay outside Cape Town, encompassing Walker Bay and Cape Agulhas and stretching to the De Hoop Nature Reserve and Witsands at its eastern extremity. This area is famous for the marine life which finds its home in the cool oceans here.

The Whale Coast is one of the Cape’s busiest tourist routes due to the experiences and sights available here which are like no other in the world. Shark cage diving and seasonal whale watching are firm favourites, and there are a host of other activities to enjoy at different times of the year.

Summer
Summer in this part of the Cape is hot and dry, with weeks of sunshine following each other.

Summer begins in December and a festive atmosphere of holidays and fun is very much a part of the ambiance. Cultural activities are an important part of the Whale Coast and the summer bears no exception. Musical entertainment such as summer concerts and the Up The Creek music festival in the Breede River area are just a short distance from the coast and are well-attended.

There are many smaller, regular events such as local craft markets, flower shows, festivals and sports events ranging from mountain bike races to an endurance race for rubber ducks!

Autumn
Crayfish (West Coast Rock Lobster) season is from mid November to mid April in the Western Cape and is a popular time for fishing and catching these delicious crustaceans.

The town of Gansbaai in Walker Bay hosts a Kreef (Crayfish) Derby in April, just before the season closes. Attendees get to feast on a wide variety of fresh seafood such as crayfish, perlemoen (abalone), snoek, calamari and others.

Gansbaai also hosts a Strandveld Ghost Tour in April. Locals and visitors alike have established a keen interest in folklore, myths and legends. The world-famous ship “The Flying Dutchman” was an ill fated vessel, destined to sail the stormy waters of the Cape until doomsday. The ship has been sighted along the coast here and was greatly feared by sailors and fishermen for hundreds of years, and there have been sightings reported until the present day.

In May, the town of Hermanus is host to the Urban Assault Mountain Bike Challenge, a 40km marathon for mountain bike fans.

Just outside Hermanus at the Onrus Caravan Park, also in May, visitors can enjoy the Onrus Vis (fish) Bash. The Vis Bash is a great opportunity for seafood lovers to sample different seafood dishes and a range of delicious local fish.

Winter
Winter along the Whale Coast is generally chilly and wet, but festivals and events are still a regular occurrence.

The Fees van die Ganse (Festival of the Geese) takes place in Gansbaai in July and is a celebration of the origin of the town’s name. The name emanates from when geese used to flock to the freshwater spring in the centre of the town. This festival includes a winter fynbos show. Fynbos is a shrub unique to the Western Cape area and makes up most of the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of six floral kingdoms in the world. Fynbos has many different species which flower during different times of the year which means that there are always flowers visible in the area throughout the year.

Spring
Spring is the beginning of the tourist season along the Whale Coast and for good reason! During spring, the Southern Right Whales leave Antarctica and travel to the Whale Coast to mate and calve.

Hermanus, Gansbaai and other spots along this stretch of coast have some of the best land-based whale watching sites in the world. The whales put on quite a performance as they play in the waters. The Hermanus Whale Festival is usually held in late September and is one of the most popular festivals in the area.

Food and wine are a big part of life along the Whale Coast. Inland from the Whale Coast in the Overberg and Boland regions, some of the best wines in the world are produced and these are readily available along the coast. Cuisine is also world-class, especially dishes including fresh seafood!

The Hermanus Food and Wine Festival is hosted in early August, showcasing the top local wines and cuisine, and is an extremely popular event.

All Year Round
There are many activities along the Whale Coast which are available to visitors and locals all year round.

Shark cage diving is a thrilling experience where one can see the ocean’s greatest predator from up close while remaining safe. Shark cage diving is usually a day excursion, starting early in the morning when sharks feed. A charter boat takes divers out to sea. The diving operations attract sharks to the boat with chum – a mixture of fish and other proteins. Once a shark has been spotted, divers are lowered into a cage attached to the side of the boat and can view the beautiful creatures from a safe place.

The Whale Coast is an area which is fun to explore on foot or on horseback. Many hiking and horse trails wind their way through the scenery and are incredibly educational if partaken with a guide. The trails offer incredible views of the coastline and the stretching oceans.

The Whale Coast is truly bustling with activities and events all year round, making the area a real “Cape of all seasons”.

About the Author:
Grootbos Private Game Reserve is an eco-tourism venture with 5-Star, family-friendly accommodation and is situated alongside the ocean in Gansbaai, in the Whale Coast. Shark cage diving, whale watching, horseback riding and hikes and trails are available as activities for guests.