You’re going to welcome our list of places to stay on the Whale Route as the whales are due any moment now.
They arrive in the bay during July/August, and remain until October/November with Hermanus’ Whale Festival an annual highlight during August.
And we don’t want to boast or anything but just about every place on our list of best places to stay on the Whale Route, South Africa, has a view of the ocean …
The Whale Route is one of the best places in the world to see the southern right whale.
Starting in Cape Town it follows the R44, also known as Clarence Drive, through the Kogelberg Biosphere and the villages of Rooiels, Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay. It reaches Kleinmond where it joins R43 to Hermanus whose clifftops provide some of the world’s best land-based whale watching…
The route doesn’t end there but presses on to De Kelders, Gansbaai and Witsand.
Best landbased whale watching: Hermanus
Best secret whale watching spots: De Kelders and Witsand
Here is our list of best places to stay on the Whale Route …
HERMANUS
One Marine Drive Boutique Guest House
You’ll love the delightful airy lightness of this guest house and its choice of sea view, garden or poolside en-suite rooms. The views are pretty spectacular too.
Whale View Hermanus Beach Club
Breezy, white, beachside living in this seafront self-catering home with a scandi-style front patio overlooking the ocean. Why wouldn’t you?
Schulphoek House, Sandbaai
This B&B has incredible sea views of Schulphoek Bay, a sanctuary just outside Hermanus. You’ll be able to spot whales from the lounge, it’s so close to the water’s edge.
Cliff Cottage B&B
It’s not difficult, when faced with yet another gorgeous Hermanus seaside option, to see why town is the fulcrum of the Whale Route. Beautiful, reasonably priced en-suite bedrooms just across the road from the Hermanus cliff paths.
GORDON’S BAY
The Blue Marine Self Catering
Perfect for two, this apartment is set at the foot of the Hottentots Holland Mountains with a great sea view balcony and built in jetmaster. Perfect.
BETTY’S BAY
Stay at Friends Guest House
You’re tucked in between mountains and sea, surrounded by fynbos (Betty’s Bay is a conservancy) with breathtaking views and Silver Sand beach moments away. And the décor is perfect.
Suikerbekkie
This self catering house is on Cliff Road, is close to the beach, and comfortably sleeps 10 people in five en-suite bedrooms. Perfect for groups.
DE KELDERS
Villa The Cherry
What a unique location, this three bed self catering home has on the cliff overlooking the sea with views of both the ocean (telescope in lounge) and the adjacent Walker Bay Nature Reserve.
The Lookout at Whale Cove
A seafront self catering three bedroomed apartment with views across Walker Bay. De Kelders has around seven beaches either within walking distance of this venue, or a short drive away.
Whalesong Lodge
This intimate boutique hotel lies atop the cliffs overlooking Walker Bay offering five spacious open-plan en-suite rooms with private balconies.
La Petite Baleine Seaside Villa
One of our Favourite places to stay on the Whale Route, the infinity-edged swimming pool on the private patio alone is enough to send you into paroxysms of delight, so the views of the ocean are a mere bonus.
PRINGLE BAY
The Mermaid’s Tail
This self catering home is the epitome of family beach holiday not far from the beach, and the telescope helps for those whale moments.
Restio River House
Wow. To call this self catering holiday home stunning is an understatement. It’s a contemporary retreat with incredible mountain views, the Buffels River on your doorstep, and the ocean just there.
GANSBAAI
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
This private nature reserve includes miles of private beach and luxury en-suites with private balconies. Take a closer look because its natural beauty is the perfect setting for whale watching.
ONRUS
Kennedys Beach Villa
Admittedly Onrus is only a stone’s throw from Hermanus, but we love this opulent beachside offering with its ‘villa’ and ‘beach suite’ (our personal favourite). Your backdrop is Milkwood forest, mountain, garden and the sea.
Geheim
May this three bedroom self catering home remain a secret…
WITSAND
Whale View Cottage
We couldn’t resist adding this gorgeous cottage at one of the best whale watching towns on the Overberg coastline. This cosy self catering find is right next to the beach, and the indoor fireplace makes it a must for winter.
EXPLORE MORE
Do you have a favourite amongst our list of the Best Places to Stay on the Whale Route?
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