De Kelder's and the Whales

End of October 2024

Hermanus and Walker Bay are a top destination for whale watching. It’s an easy two-hour drive from Cape Town. If you want to enjoy nature in its purest form like we do, head to the other side of Walker Bay to De Kelder's; here you can rent houses right by the sea and watch the whales directly from your terrace.

Activities in De Kelder's

• A fantastic Marine Big Five Tour (Sharks, Whales, Dolphins, Seals, and Penguins) can be booked with Marine Dynamics. The starting point is the White House in Gansbaai. Rain jackets are provided, and after the tour, enjoy Butternut Soup with bread at the White House Restaurant.

• The Penguin Rehabilitation Center by Dyer Island Conservation Trust – sponsored among others by Volkswagen – is located a bit outside of Gansbaai. Due to food competition, marine pollution from shipping traffic, and the disturbance of breeding grounds, the entire population has decreased from one million a hundred years ago to around 10,000 penguins today, and every single animal is being rescued. Therefore, the government has also decided to restrict fishing in the waters around penguin colonies for at least ten years.

• A good spot for land-based whale watching is the Whale Path from De Kelder's, especially the area at Coffee on the Rocks. We were lucky enough to see several whales passing by during lunch. I also ran into a whale, but at speeds of 10 - 15 km/h, I couldn’t keep it up on the rocky cliffs for long.

• A wonderful beach landscape: collect shells at the beach near Franskraal and enjoy the tranquility.

• At the best butcher in town - Prime Cuts Meat – in Industrial Circle, get the best Red Viennas, Bureworse in different flavors, and stuffed spring rolls: top South African braai on the terrace with crashing waves.

• The Second Hand Shop 50 On Main Street in Gansbaai transports you to old times; just browse and marvel.

• Fish and chips are available at the FISH Market right at the harbor, alongside various delicacies and a very friendly owner.

• The best milk tart can be found in Gansbaai at the SUPER SPAR supermarket: at the back at the bakery counter – milk tart from the tray – must try. The milk tart at The Fat Butcher restaurant in Stellenbosch is also very good; there it is presented very elegantly, combined with giant caramel popcorn.

Excursions along Walker Bay

• Hermanus is definitely worth a trip: walk along the Whale Path, stroll along the promenade, and be sure to dine at Bientang's Cave (reservation required at least a day in advance) or Fick's Pool.
  Also recommended: Harbour Rock, Burgundy, and Milk on the Beach.

• A lunch in Stanford is a wonderful change: The Zesty Lemon has great cuisine, on Sunday afternoons a menu is offered (reserve!) or you can go for a beer tasting at Walker Bay Vineyards and Birkenhead Brewery.
  Also recommended: Springfontein Wine Estate, Raka Wine Estate, and Creation by Jean-Claude Martin.