Walker Bay & Walker Bay Nature Reserve
Broadly speaking, the Danger Point Peninsula runs Southwards and has large bay's on either side of it, both famous in their own right. On the South Eastern side is Kleinbaai which has become world famous as the entrance to Dyer Island and Shark Alley, the hunting grounds of the great White Sharks.

Walker Bay is on its North Western side. On its Northern shores is the town of Hermanus and on the Southern shore the quaint fishing village of Gansbaai and the cliffs of De Kelders.

After World War 2 Hermanus became known as the Riviera of South Africa where many of South Africa's rich and famous built their holiday homes. It was an anglers paradise, especially the pristine beach which runs along its Eastern shore to the cliffs of de Kelders and Gansbaai. In those days there were few whales to be seen as they had been hunted to almost extinction. In the mid 50's a moratorium was placed on the killing of whales and slowly but surely their numbers increased.

Today Walker Bay has become known for having not only the most Southern Right Whales visit it over the months of June to December, but more importantly still, known Worldwide for having the best land-based whale watching in the world. The rocky cliffs of Hermanus on its northern shoes and those of de Kelders on the Southern shores where the great animals come within 20m and closer allow the shore watcher incredible views of our whales.

There are many arguments as to which side of Walker Bay has the most whales., bustling Hermanus or sleepy de Kelders. In fact it tends to vary according to the prevailing winds but overall weekly air-counts of the whales tend to point to the de Kelders side having more whales closer in-shore. Some say its do to the light pollution of Hermanus.

For the best land based viewing of our whales, the cliff paths of Hermanus are better developed, but are often swarming with bus loads of whale watchers, whereas the rugged cliffs of de Kelders are more natural, never overcrowded with, possibly, more whales to see.

To experience the whales in their natural environment, a whale watching trip into Walker Bay by boat with a permitted Southern Right whale specialist will prove to be a highlight of your trip to the whale country. Whale sightings are guaranteed; many whales are found just behind the surf of the long 15 km beach, called the Plaat, between Hermanus and de Kelders

De Kelders can rightfully claim that we enjoy an extended whale season on this side of Walker Bay with whales still being seen late into December. Some local residents claim it's the mother whales with their offspring, coming down the West Coast at the end of the season, that stops here for a period of time to rendezvous with other mothers and form little groups of up to ten mothers to travel together down to Antarctica. This gives them some protection against the Orcas. The Danger Point Peninsula as the Southern "wall" of Walker Bay provides the last shelter before they leave the mainland. Others say its do to the South east winds at that time of year.

But even when the whales have left the view over Walker Bay from de Kelders is without comparison . From Cape point on the left ,past Hangklip to Hermanus and its background of mountains, the un spoilt beaches of its Eastern shore is a sight that will remain with you forever.

Walker Bay Nature Reserve - 3km from Gansbaai
Walker Bay is the nature reserve, managed by Cape Nature, stretching along the coast from De Kelders to the Hermanus Lagoon. A hiking trail of 24 km follows the coastline. There are several beaches and protected coves. Die Plaat, a vast area dominated by drift-sand can be seen from the other side of Walker Bay. The entrance to the reserve is on the northern edge of De Kelders. The famous Klipgat Cave can be reached by steps from the entrance. To reach the Klipgat Cave is still somewhat of a mission but a boardwalk into the cave will be built in the course of 2005 as well as an interpretation and information centre.

To read more about Klipgat Cave, please click here to go to the relevant section.