Its’ that time of the year again when Southern Right whales migrate from their feeding grounds in Antarctica, up along our coastline in the Cape. With their breeding grounds being dotted around the more sheltered bays of the Cape coast, they pass the warmer time of the year nursing, calving and pulling off some rather spectacular water acrobatics sometimes just a few meters away from the coastline (read: spotting whales at the Hermanus Whale Festival). For the twenty second year in a row the Hermanus Whale Festival is celebrating the environment and local arts in one of the best know areas for land-based whale watching along the South Coast (Cape Whale Coast Route travel guide).
The Two Oceans Hermanus Whale Festival
20 September – 24 September 2013
In 2012 there were nearly 100 000 visitors, so if the September weather gives us sun and shine expect a great, big turnout of people flocking to the city center to experience food, music, crafters, sports events, kids entertainment. The Two Oceans Wine food & Music Marquee will be hosting 30 local artists who will be performing throughout the festival as well as The Checkers Living Table will have some foodie celebrities hanging out. Don’t miss the Marine Endangered Species Expo Marquee, definitely the reason I am going, not just for the talks by different ocean experts, but also for bubble maker pool and all the interesting marine environmental information that will be available.
Music at the Hermanus Whale Festival
Fri, 20 – Latin Kings with Ernesto Latino FREE
Sat, 21 – Awesome 4some & Daniel Baron (supporting)
Sun, 22 – Legends of Rock: Renegade Rockers & Tribute (supporting)
Mon, 23 – Johan Yssel – Master of Illusion
Performances will take place at the Waterfront Piazza in front of the Village Square and there are two ways you can listen to the music. Firstly you can book a table at Fusion, Europa, Paradiso and Two Oceans at African Kingdom (prices will be around R50-R100 p/p depending on the restaurant. To do that email: [email protected] for details. Or you can buy tickets from the Piazza gate at R50p/p for the Saturday and Sunday shows and R25p/p for Monday’s performance.
Things to do at the Hermanus Whale Festival
For the active
Open Water Swim
Sunday 22 September
300 metres, 750 metres and 1500 meters
Start is at 10:00 at the old Harbour
Whale Festival Night Run
Monday 23 September
6 kilometres and 10 kilometres
Only 250 runners so book early
Register at the Marine Hotel and New Harbour
Whale Festival Mountain Bike Classic
Saturday 28 September
3 km fun ride, 15 km, 30 km or 60 km route
Late registration at Curro School
Festival trail run
Saturday 28 September
3 km fun run, 6 km, 12 km or 18 km
Registration at Curro School
Whale of a Waggle Walk
Saturday 28 September
1 km and 3 km dog parades
This is a more relaxed pace walk for you and your four-legged friend
10h00 (registration from 08h00)
Hermanus cricket grounds (next to organic market)
Kids activities
There will be a lot of the kiddies to do at the festival including horse and cart rides, face painting, marine education stalls, music and magic shows. There are also different stalls with local arts and crafts in the market square. On the Saturday there is a treasure hunt, and if you can get to picnics and organized children’s activities at some of the venues around town (ask at the festival office for details).
Adults activities
The Craft Beer Project
Not only will you be educated about the brew industry, but also there will be plenty of great beer available to go with all that education. The Two Ocean’s wine chill area near the cattle baron has been setup for these purposes so get there for a place to escape the heat (if there is a blue sky day) or just put your feet up away from the crowds.
The Hermanus Whale Festival Classic bowls tournament
Info and entries: John Carrol
028 272 9898
073 489 5533
Whales ‘n Wheels Classic Car Show
Saturday 28 September
09h00 to 17h00
Hermanus Primary School, center of town
Gates open at 07h00 for participants.
Contact: Piet Haumann
072 4885741
The Flower show
St Peters Church Hall, Main road
R15.00 entrance
Boxing Tournament
Saturday 28 September
Qhayiya Secondary School
There are also several events that spill into the following weekend on Saturday, 28 September 2013 so don’t run home to quickly. Look out for a beauty pageant and a Mr and Miss African Hair design 2013 show.
How to survive the Hermanus Whale Festival
At the best of time Hermanus main town center is busy and during the festival, unless you plan to arrive at sparrows, finding parking is going to be like Indiana Jones’ search for the Holy Grail, complete with grunting, verbal acrobatics and possibly a loooooong walk. Your best bet is to arrive as early as is humanly manageable to get prime parking spaces, but don’t leave. Or take other options like using the local Tuk Tuk Transporter (just make sure you phone in advance, I have a feeling they will be very busy).
Tel +27 (0) 84-688-5885, www.hermanustaxi.com
Or you can get some exercise while you get around by using a bicycle, which you can rent from Euodia Cycles.
Tel +27 (0) 28-316-2119, email [email protected], www.euodia.co.za
If you are coming in from out of town just for the day try and draw out all the money you will need before you arrive into town. There are plenty of ATM’s in town, but there will be queus. Big ones.
Be a responsible driver and don’t go speeding around in and out of Hermanus, not only because its bad form, but there will also be lots of speeding traps and police about to stop any miscreant behavior. That goes for drinking and driving as well. There have been to many accidents lately on our roads, so be caring of others and have a good time but sleep over or get a taxi instead of driving yourself and others home.
Phone ahead for restaurant bookings and taxis. Lots of people means the chances of a walk-in seating at the more popular sit-down restaurants will be just plain lucky.
Print out this incredible Whale watching infographic to help you with your whale spotting:
http://blog.sa-venues.com/activities/whale-watching-infographic/
Hermanus accommodation
If you’re staying overnight, be sure to book your accommodation in Hermanus early as most places fill up fast.
Specials
The Windsor Hotel, The Marine Hermanus and Arabella Hotel have package specials for the Hermanus Whale Festival that include accommodation, wine tasting and a few other tid bits. Bear in mind, Arabella is a bit of a distance from Hermanus, so if you were not planning on walking a lot this would not be the place for you.
Don’t miss
Zwelihle RDP Village (Saturday stating at 10:00 on Saturday) will be hosting a living Art Gallery demonstrating how they are transforming actual shack homes into works of art. There will apparently be wine tasting, storytelling traditional food and art.
A tour of The South African Shark Conservancy’s shark dissections and feeding, great fro the kids and adults alike.
There is the Swallow Park Carnival Parade happening on Saturday starting at 10:00
Get hold of the program of speakers for the Marine Expo, last year there were incredible talks about great white tagging, whale migration patterns and videos by a host of top South African marine experts. A definite must see, especially if you have a budding marine biologist in the family.
Where to eat in Hermanus
Eat
One of my favorites in the area with fantastic food. Book ahead they are normally busy.
Tel +27 (0) 28-316-2348
Burgundy
It has the best view of the sea, and unbelievable breakfasts and lunches- be aware that they are not licensed.
Tel +27 (0) 28-312-2800, www.burgundyrestaurant.co.za
B’s Steakhouse
For the famous steaks, a bit more expensive than others in the area but wonderful laid-back atmosphere.
Tel +27 (0) 28-316-3625
The Harbour Rock
Here you will find good seafood staples like Thai food and sushi and a wonderful view. Bring some cash to get into the harbor itself, it’s not much but if you come with nothing you won’t be let in and the nearest atm is back in town.
Tel +27 (0) 28-312-2920
More details
The full programme of events is available on their web site and from the Festival office, which is located at the first main traffic circle just before you get into the city center.
Tel +27 (0) 28-313-0928, email [email protected], www.whalefestival.co.za
