Whalewatching in Hermanus, South Africa

From July to December whales can be seen at the shores of South Africa.

Holiday makers who have been in the Kruger National Park and are visiting the Western Cape, will be able to see all the 'BIG SIX'. That means besides the big 5 mammals lion, buffalo, rhino, leopard and elephant the whale as well. Most common in south african waters are the Southern Right Whales. The name originated when these creatures have been hunted extensively. They have been the 'right' whales for hunting because they have been slow and did not drown after killing. That made it easy for the whale hunters.

Today the Southern Right Whale supplies food for an unique success story in a twofold sense: for the tourism and the protection of species. The commercial whale hunting started at the end of the 18th century. Not only one century later the population had been reduced so drastically that hunting near the shore became unprofitable. Whale hunting moved to antarctic waters. At the beginning of the second world war only 200 - 300 Southern Right Whales had survived. Only then, when it nearly was too late, the nations started to think about how to protect the whales.

Today the estimated number of Southern Right Whales is about 7000, approximately 2000 of them are on the shores of South Africa. The birth rate is 7 %, that means every 10 years the population doubles (for comparison: the world population grows by 3%).From mid July the whales are coming back from the Antarctic. They are staying here until beginning of December to calve, breed and mate in the save and warm waters. These biggest mammals on earth are showing some superlatives:

• the calves have an average length of 6 m at birth
• they are growing 3 cm per day
• they drink up to 600 liters milk per day
• whales can grow up to 18 m, adults can weigh up to 80 tons (average 50 tons)
• in the Antarctic they eat every day about 1000 kg copepods (crustaceans)
• males produce up to 500 liter sperm.

The increasing numbers of whales caused a huge boom in the tourist industry. The so called 'Whale Route'from Lamberts Bay at the west coast to Port Elizabeth in the east is very attractive for visitors from all over the world. It is said that Hermanus is the best location for land based whale spotting in the world. Since two years it is now possible to watch the whales from boats. But it is not really necessary to make a boat trip. Often the whales are so close to the shore that one can ask who is whatching whom? Humans the whales or the other way round.

Every year Hermanus celebrates the return of the whales with the "Moby Dick Hermanus Whale Festival". The festival with theater, music, fairs and sporting events is always in September. For those who want to make a contribution to the protection of the whales, can sign an online Petition with Greenpeace.