• HERMANUS
REGION
Known as the heart of the whale coast, this coastal
resort offers the best land based whale watching in the
world. Whales visit Walker Bay from July until December
every year. About 60 to 100 of these magnificent animals
come here from Antarctica to calf. Often coming to
within 5-10 meters of the coast. Hermanus also offers
great beaches, mountain walks and the craft market is
famous for its art. Hermanus also has many fine
restaurants and is a wine lovers paradise with nearby
wine farms offering wine tasting.
Hermanus boasts some of the best land-based whale
watching in the world. Walker Bay has become the nursery
and breeding ground of the Southern Right Whale, and can
be seen as close as 10 metres from shore, breaching,
sailing, spyhopping and lobtailing and playing with
their babies.
• KNYSNA
REGION
The Garden Route, stretching along the Southern coast of
Africa is an area of unspoiled beauty and majesty and
quite unlike any other region in Africa.
With a temperate climate and mild, year round weather,
the Garden Route has a relaxed tranquility which makes
it unique. The coastline is at times rugged and rough
with towering cliffs and turbulent seas, at times it is
placid with gentle lagoons and golden white beaches,
such as at Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Wilderness.
The Garden Route is ideal for exploring on a self drive
vacation, driving either from Cape Town along the coast
through Hermanus - the Whale capital of South Africa -
or from the east at Port Elizabeth.
The traveller can also access the Garden Route by
scheduled flight from Johannesburg or Cape Town to
George or Plettenberg Bay.
The region has a number of magnificent hotels, golf
estates and country lodges. This is an ideal area to
relax in after a wildlife safari, or to include in a
romantic getaway or honeymoon as well as being ideally
suited to families.
• PLETTENBERG
BAY REGION
Plettenberg Bay boasts a glorious temperate climate all
year round and offers one of the best climates in South
Africa. Summers are pleasantly warm with comparatively
low humidity, while winters are particularly mild, with
year-round rainfall. Spring starts by mid September.
Plettenberg Bay is one of South Africa’s top holiday
destinations. The attractive bay is home to two
unbelievable beaches, that is Lookout Beach and Robberg
Beach. Robberg beach is a true favourite with most
visitors to the idyllic coastal town.
A highlight during spring is the arrival of Right whales
which breed and calve in the sheltered waters. Lookout
Beach offers the best vantage to view these amazing
creatures and also offers impressive vistas of the
surrounding Outeniqua Mountain range.
The sunsets at Plettenberg Bay are impressive and the
ritual of the sundowner are way of life in this relaxed
community.
