Private Hermanus Whales and Wine Tour (Seasonal)

Description

Book this luxury private tour and spend a memorable day driving along the picture-perfect coastal route towards Hermanus, looking out for the majestic creatures of the deep, the Southern Right Whale, along the way, and taste wine from the highly acclaimed Hemel en Aarde region.

Itinerary

Start the day with a beautiful drive along the picturesque Cape coastline, passing through Gordon’s Bay, Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay en route to the quaint coastal town of Hermanus. This famous drive is aptly named the “Cape Whale Route” because it is known to have some of the best land-based whale watching in the world. The majestic Southern Right whale can be spotted year round but they are seen in abundance between June and November when they come to breed and calve in Walker Bay.

You’ll head into the historical town of Hermanus, which was once one of the most prominent whaling stations in South Africa. As one of the top destinations for whale-watching, Hermanus is perfectly positioned to offer the best viewing directly from the shore. You will be able to watch as these giants of the deep frolic in the waves and launch out of the water to ‘breach’. It is here that you can enjoy lunch at your own discretion.

Once you’ve enjoyed some of the great food (and coffee) on offer in town, it’s off to a wine tasting at Hamilton Russell in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. The estate specialises in producing highly individual, terroir-driven Pinot noir and Chardonnay, which are widely regarded as some of the best in South Africa and among the best in the New World.

The next stop will be Southern Right, founded by Anthony Hamilton Russell in 1994. Southern Right’s aim is to produce a serious, age-worthy Pinotage, and with each bottle sold, they make a contribution to the conservation of these majestic mammals that are now on the endangered species list.

Your last stop will be at Whalehaven boutique winery. Named after the protective bay that shelters breeding Southern Right whales in the cool Cape winter months, Whalehaven creates a delightful array of hand-crafted wines that tantalize the palate and has gained a strong reputation for its French-styled Pinot noir and Chardonnay.

This full day, private tour is one of the best ways of experiencing the breath-taking beauty of the Cape coastline and ticking off one of the classic bucket list items when visiting Cape Town.

In a nutshell: * Drive down the famous coastal Whale Route through Gordon’s Bay, Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay (the best land-based whale watching in the world). * Stop off to see if you can spot these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat (seasonal – most commonly found from June to November). * Stroll through the quaint seaside town of Hermanus and lunch (on own account). * Taste wine at two to three boutique wineries that specialise in cool climate Chardonnays and Pinot Noir. * Option of either a Boat ride or a Kayak trip out to see the whales in the reserve area Walker Bay, Hermanus.

Good to know

• This is a private tour
• Rates are private and per/person, the per/person rate is lower the more people that join