Hermanus Whale Festival happening this weekend: Everything you need to know
The Hermanus Whale Festival will take place this weekend, from September 27 to 29, 2024, celebrating its 33rd anniversary this year.
The annual Hermanus Whale Festival is set to happen this weekend, from 27 to 29 September 2024, marking the event’s 33rd anniversary.
Markedly, the Hermanus Whale Festival is the only eco-marine festival in the world. Yearly, an estimated 75 000 to 130 000 visitors attend the festival.
Hermanus road closures and parking
The Overstrand Municipality issued a notice on road closures for the festival, as reported by capetownetc.
From Friday, 27 September, Market Street and also Marine Drive from the Harbour Road circle to the Whale Tail will be closed for the weekend from 6:00 to 18:00.
Parking will be available at the Hermanus Waterfront on the Marine Hotel side, on Marine Drive near the Windsor Hotel, and also at the United Church below Hoy’s Koppie.
It is important to note that no parking will be permitted for the duration of the festival in the parking areas at Gearing’s Point and the Red Stalls (FNB and Whale Museum) at the Old Harbour
The Market Square in Hermanus will be the main location for the festival events and activities.
What is the festival essentially about?
Hermanus, along the shores of Walker Bay in the Overberg, is a popular holiday destination and also the official whale-watching capital of the world, according to Africa Blue Tours.
All events and activities during the whale festival are focused on creating awareness of how to protect the whales and all marine wildlife that share our coastal waters.
The festival takes place at the end of September because that is the peak of whale activity in the region.
Each year, from June to December, it is whale season in the Western Cape. Visitors at the Hermanus festival have a chance to get up close and personal with southern right whales as they make their annual migration to the coastal waters of Hermanus.
What can visitors expect at this year’s festival?
In addition to the main attraction – whale watching – other activities planned for this year include:
- A street parade
- Markets
- Food stalls
- Educational marine displays
- Children’s entertainment
- Live music
- A fun run
- Informative marine and nature talks