Why the season exists
Southern Right Whales feed on krill in Antarctic waters in summer (Nov–Mar) and migrate north each winter to calve in warmer, sheltered bays. Hermanus's Walker Bay — protected from the prevailing south-easterly wind by surrounding mountains — is one of the best calving grounds in the world.
Season highlights
- First arrivals in June
- Peak numbers September – November
- Hermanus Whale Festival in early October
- Mothers and calves rest close to shore — visible from the Cliff Path and our boats
- Departures from Walker Bay back to Antarctica in December
See our month-by-month guide for more detail, or book your trip now.