Watch: southern right whales come out to play

The seaside town of Hermanus is world renowned for having the best land-based whale watching. The southern right whales cosy up as close as 5m to the 12km cliff paths along the coastline. September and October are peak season for whale-watching and the popular 3-day Hermanus Whale Festival celebrated it’s 27th year.

Throngs of visitors attended this year’s event held at the weekend and the showstoppers didn’t disappoint. The whales leapt into the air, splashed and waved at crowds in perfectly sunny weather conditions.

The magnificent southern right whales make their way from the Antarctic to Hermanus, specifically Walker Bay, during the mating and breeding season which takes place from June to November. Calving occurs in August and September, and shortly thereafter the male whales make their way to the area to mate in October.

We gathered some incredible pictures from this weekend’s activities…

 

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This past weekend was the annual #whalefestival in #hermanus. If you missed out this year you must join us next year! Let #safriquetravel book your trip from A to Z! #repost @src_whalewatching #whale #southernrightwhale #whalewatching #instatravel #travelmore #travel #westerncapetourism #visitsouthafrica #southafricatourism #discoveroverberg #overberg #goexplore #exploremore #doyoutravel #adventuretime #adventure #adrenaline #bucketlist #wanderlust

A post shared by S’Afrique Travel (@safrique.travel) on Sep 30, 2018 at 11:25pm PDT

 

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기록된 이래로 가장 많은 고래가 방문했다는 올해… 세계의 고래 수도 허마나스 입니당 👍🏼🐳🐳 The most beautiful creatures that I appreciate everyday.. here in Hermies Thanks for the amazing video #levelhorizonsa 💚 #hermanus #whalefestival #whale #southernrightwhales

A post shared by Haekyung 해경 (@haekyung_jw) on Sep 30, 2018 at 12:11am PDT

 

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It seems as if everyone got the memo about the Cape Whale Coast being the best land based whale watching destination. That and of course its the annual Hermanus Whale Festival. #whalefestival #hermanus #whale #southafrica #marinebigfive #marinelife #ocean #hopespot #sea #south

A post shared by Cape Whale Coast 🇿🇦 (@whalecoastsa) on Sep 30, 2018 at 5:48am PDT

 

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Splish slash I was taking a bath #hermanus #whalefestival #awesome_earth

A post shared by Julio De Abreu (@juliodeabreu1) on Oct 1, 2018 at 3:03am PDT

 

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Whale fest 🐳 #hermanus #whalefestival #hermanuswhalefestival #sunny #vibey #mytown #ilovehermanus #whales #explorecapetown #whalegram #sunday #sundayfunday

A post shared by Gadeeja خديج (@gadeeja1) on Sep 30, 2018 at 3:03pm PDT

 

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A pic from yesterday, Watching the sun set on September, Good morning October! #hermanus #whalewatching #southafrica . . . . . #sunset #africa #atlanticocean #southernrightwhale #wildlife #photography #naturephotography #moments #southernrightcharters #boattrip #safari #whalefestival #weekend

A post shared by Southern Right Charters (@src_whalewatching) on Sep 30, 2018 at 11:14pm PDT

 

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Oh but what an amazing weekend we had!😎🏎 #cars #car #sportscars #motorsport #fastcars #supercars #race #drive #turbo #fuel #engine #roadtrip #harper #harpersportscars #work #instadaily #fun #friends #weekend #hermanus #whale #whalefestival

A post shared by GeorgieGina:) (@georginalouisematthews) on Sep 30, 2018 at 11:46am PDT

 

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#capetownetc #digitalspoolphotography #passionpassport #capetownmag #exploretocreate #instagramcapetown #cometocapetown #streetphotography #whalefestival #hermanus #streetperfomers #gymnastics

A post shared by Debby (@digitalspoolphotography) on Sep 30, 2018 at 10:19am PDT

 

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Sunday Funday #whalefestival

A post shared by Rochelle Morris (@rochlucas) on Sep 30, 2018 at 7:30am PDT

 

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Whales!! #whalewatching #southafrica #whalefestival #westerncape

A post shared by Rachel Sosville (@rachelukcrazy) on Sep 30, 2018 at 4:12am PDT

 

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BETTY BABY | Our favourite baby had his first official beach day + loved making new friends on the beach. Unfortunately his Grandma had to work as it was whale festival this weekend + town was pumping but she can’t wait to have lots + lots of beach days with him. Who is in Hermanus for the holidays + what are you up to? Xx | #BettyBlueBistro #hermanus #overberg #brahzach #beautifulthings #beachdays #summerloving #whalefestival #holidayvibes #toesinthesand #beachlife #babiesofinstagram #vitaminsea

A post shared by Betty Blue Bistro (@bettybluebistro) on Oct 1, 2018 at 1:56am PDT

Pictures: Instagram and Pixabay