Hermanus, Western Cape named world's best whale-watching spot [photos]

Just 90 minutes down the road from Cape Town, Hermanus is the antithesis of the sprawling metropolis just across the water. The Mother City is a bustling hive of activity, propped up by the relentlessly-beating heart of its industry and the local 24-hour party people. However, the town is emerging from that shadow, thanks to its whale-watching charm.

Hermanus has officially been voted as the best place in the world to see these magnificent beasts, and the competition it's managed to outshine is staggering. Not even the tropical waters of the Mediterranean or the frosty seas of Iceland can compare with this pocket of tranquillity in the Western Cape.

Why Hermanus is number one The Telegraph who have also voted Cape Town as the best city in the world for the last six years clearly have a thing for this part of South Africa. Describing why Hermanus deserves the top spot, Nick Trend singled out the proximity of the whales from the shore and the incredible acrobatics these mammals display for their audiences.

Heading out to sea isn't everyone's cup of tea - and you don't have to if you go to the small fishing village of Hermanus, overlooking the Atlantic two hours east of Cape Town.

Southern right whales come to calf and mate off this coast between June and November, performing their acrobatics incredibly close to the shore.

Nick Trend Hermanus isn't exactly a well-hidden secret the town is a popular getaway for city dwellers and foreign tourists alike. But it's yet to establish the same type of clout you'd associate with CPT. Topping lists like these will do wonders for the local economy, and the beauty of this whale-watching hot-spot has previously been appreciated by Brad Pitt.

Best whale-watching spots in the world top 10: 10. Madeira - Portuguese Island

Photo: Flickr / Raquel Marques 9. Christchurch - New Zealand

Photo: Flickr / Jim Parker 8. Cetaceans - Azores

Photo: Flickr / Christophe de Mulder 7. Queensland - Australia

Photo: Flickr / Jackie Comer 6. Grundarfjorour - Iceland

Photo: Flickr / ZooPenguinWatcher 5. San Ignacio Lagoon - Mexico

Photo: Flickr / Ryan Harvey 4. Vancouver Island - Canada

Photo: Flickr / Gary Shorto 3. Canary Islands, Spain

Photo: Flickr / Richard Leeming 2. California - United States of America

Photo: Flickr / Maksym Tiurin 1. Hermanus - South Africa

Photo: Flickr / Lynn Anderson Whale-watching in Hermanus If you've scrolled through these images and feel like you need to get yourself to the Hermanus coast ASAP, we've got some good news for you: The whale-watching season officially begins next month, lasting from June right through until November. September is usually the peak of whale activity in the region, so get planning ahead!

Tags: HermanusSouth Africatravel to South Africawhales

LINK:	https://www.thesouthafrican.com/hermanus-whale-watching-best-in-the-wo...
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