Western Cape, South Africa · ZA

Hermanus

The world's whale-watching capital, on Walker Bay

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History & Heritage

From Fishing Village to the World's Whale Capital

Named after Hermanus Pieters, a Dutch schoolteacher who grazed sheep and fished at a freshwater spring on the site, the settlement was first known as Hermanuspietersfontein. The name was shortened to Hermanus in 1902 because the original was too long for postal service use.

The town grew up around its natural harbour from the mid-1800s as a fishing settlement; the Old Harbour was declared a national monument in 1970 and proclaimed a provincial museum in 1972.

Since August 1992, Hermanus has employed the world's only official 'whale crier', who patrols the cliffs blowing a kelp horn to announce whale sightings. The Old Harbour Museum's Whale House opened its exhibition by December 2007, built around the skeleton of a southern right whale.

Key Historical Places

Places of Significance

Old Harbour

Hermanus's original fishing harbour, declared a national monument in 1970.

National Monument

↑ Free to walk around; combine with the museum next door.

Old Harbour Museum

A provincial museum holding around 2,700 objects across a boat display and photo archive.

Museum Maritime History

↑ Ask about the daily whale-crier patrol schedule.

The Whale House

Part of the Old Harbour Museum complex, built around a full southern right whale skeleton, opened by 2007.

Whale Skeleton Conservation Education

↑ Go early to beat tour groups.

The Cliff Path

An 11km shoreline walkway from the Old Harbour past Gearing's Point and Grotto Beach, built for land-based whale watching.

Whale Watching Walking Trail

↑ July-November for whales; free and open year-round.

Timeline

Mid-1800s
Fishing settlement grows up around the natural harbour
1902
Name shortened from Hermanuspietersfontein to Hermanus
1970
The Old Harbour declared a national monument
1972
Old Harbour Museum proclaimed a provincial museum, 13 June
Aug 1992
The Hermanus whale crier tradition begins
Dec 2007
The Whale House exhibit opens at the Old Harbour Museum
2013
Hermanus FynArts festival launched

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