Hermanus Cliff Path
A 12km cliff walk where southern right whales surface meters offshore in season.
Trip Role
Ideal stay
Best for
Our take
The premier land-based whale watching spot in the country.
The premier land-based whale watching spot in the country.
- Trip Role
- Day Trip
- Ideal Stay
- Half a day
- Best For
- Whale season (Jun–Nov)
- Go If
- You're in the Cape between June and November.
Why it's worth your time
Stretching along the coastline, this 12km path provides accessible vantage points for spotting southern right whales during the winter and spring months. The trail is well-maintained and offers consistent ocean views regardless of the season.
What we love
Whale watching from a cliff path — no boat required, and the whales come metres from shore.
What to know
One of the best land-based whale watching sites in the world; southern right whales come into Walker Bay from June to November, often metres from the path.
Pair it with
More wildlife experience in Western Cape
Boulders Beach Penguin Colony
Boardwalk among an African penguin colony on granite boulders — Cape Town's most accessible marine wildlife.
Cape Vulture Colony at Potberg
The last Western Cape breeding colony of Cape vultures — best viewed from the De Hoop hiking trails.
Dyer Island Marine Big 5
Whales, great whites, Cape fur seals, African penguins and dolphins around Dyer Island — the original 'Marine Big Five'.
Dyer Island Marine Reserve
Boat-based marine wildlife off Gansbaai — seals, seabirds, sharks, and whales around Dyer and Geyser Rock.
Gansbaai Great White Shark Cage Diving
Marine predator capital — cage diving with great whites and bronze whalers off Dyer Island, plus whales in season.
Hermanus Whale Watching
Walker Bay is the world's best land-based whale watching — southern right whales come within metres of the cliff path in spring.