Set on the Cape Whale Coast just two hours southeast of Cape Town the small seaside town of Hermanus is renowned for being one of the best places in the world to see whales from land. The surrounding waters remain deep and close to shore, so migratory southern right whales, along with resident Bryde’s whales, swim right into the bay, visible even from the beaches and clifftops.

While Hermanus has used this to its advantage, attracting large numbers of visitors during whale watching season (typically June to November), it still has a friendly, small-town feel. With several art galleries to browse, country markets selling locally produced cheeses, sausages, pies, and craft beer to the waterfront cafés, eateries, and even a beach seaside restaurant cooking fresh seafood, on open fires.

There’s no mistaking the town’s main attraction, though. Most guesthouses face the ocean, the large windows designed to give you the best views possible of nearby whales. You can learn interesting facts about these annual visitors at Hermanus’s Whale House Museum (Did you know that a southern right whale’s tongue weighs more than an African elephant? ), as well as see a full skeleton of a southern right whale suspended from the ceiling. And there’s even a town ‘whale crier’ who keeps looking for passing whales and blows on a kelp horn to alert the public.

The annual  Hermanus Whale Festival is held at the end of September and features interactive exhibits educating people about the local marine life and conservation efforts, as well as live music, food trucks, art and craft stalls, and a lively street parade.

As the whales are around during South Africa’s winter, it can be cool and rainy at times. As with most wildlife experiences, whale-watching success is never guaranteed, with some years seeing more whales migrating to South Africa’s coast than others.