Whale watching in Hermanus: meet the giants.

Out on Walker Bay the town falls behind you and the mountains open up. The guide scans the water for a blow, the puff of mist a whale leaves when it breathes, and the boat slows as you get closer. Then a dark back rolls through the surface, a flipper lifts, and sometimes a tail rises slowly against the cliffs before it slides back into the sea.

The trip lasts 2 hours, which is enough time to spend long minutes with the whales rather than chasing glimpses. On board, light refreshments and crisps are included, and a whale specialist explains what each animal is doing as it happens. You come back to the harbour windblown, a little salty and usually still talking about the moment the whale surfaced beside the boat.

The bay is not only for southern rights. CapeNature names southern right, humpback and Bryde's whales in the sheltered water off the coast. Dolphins are part of the picture too, and on many trips a pod races past the boat or rides the bow wave for a few minutes before vanishing again.

That richness is why the town has such a reputation. Hermanus.co.za reports that WWF recognised Hermanus as one of the 12 best whale watching destinations in the world. For visitors it means a simple thing: in the season, the whales are right here, a few minutes from the harbour.

Guests also mention the crew's care. Reviewers talk about a friendly welcome with coffee, tea and something sweet before departure, a clear safety briefing, and staff who helped a guest who struggled to stand find a place to see the whales. Several say the boat is big enough to spread out, so everyone gets a view.

And then there are the animals. Reviews tell of whales close to the boat, of mothers with calves, of large pods of dolphins and of seals. Some guests also enjoyed the film of the trip that can be bought afterwards. Not every day brings the same luck, and a few reviewers at the very end of the season saw mostly dolphins, but most leave with a memory they did not expect.

The season has its own rhythm. Calving takes place in August and September, and in October the males arrive for mating, when the number of whales in the bay peaks. Earlier in the season, numbers in July and August vary from year to year, while September, October and November are described as almost guaranteed.

Outside the season, the bay changes. Southern rights leave for the south again, and trips focus on dolphins and the resident Bryde's whales, which Hermanus.co.za says you may see depending on the time of the season. If whales are your reason for coming, plan your visit between June and November and aim for the middle of that window.

If you are prone to seasickness, prepare. The operator suggests taking seasickness tablets in advance, following the packet instructions, and reviewers who did so were glad they had. Look at the horizon, stay in the fresh air on deck and keep a small snack in your stomach before you board.

The weather on the Overberg coast changes quickly. At the Cape Agulhas weather station, July averages 7 wet days and 71 mm of rain, while October has only 3 wet days. Pick a booking you can drop without cost, watch the wind forecast, and shift the trip to whichever morning looks calmest.

What no operator can do is guarantee a whale. Whales are wild animals with their own rhythm, and even in the peak months some trips see fewer than others. The operator says southern right and humpback whales visit seasonally, while Bryde's whales and dolphins can be seen through the year, which means there is usually something to watch.

Check the details that matter to your group before booking. Children of all ages are welcome, with younger children wearing life jackets on board, but the trip is not wheelchair accessible and prams are not allowed. A small harbour entrance fee is paid at the gate, and a film of your trip is offered for sale.

Leave the tripod at home. The operator advises against tripods and binoculars on board, and a moving deck makes them more of a nuisance than a help. A phone or a camera with a fast shutter works best, and a strap keeps it safe when the boat rolls.

Most of all, put the camera down for a while. Some of the best moments, a calf breaching beside its mother or the sound of a blow right next to the boat, are better remembered than recorded. If you want footage, the film of the trip that can be bought afterwards covers what you missed.

Wear flat, sensible shoes. The deck can be wet and it moves, and good grip helps you walk to the rail when a whale appears. Leave heels and flip-flops in the car, and bring a cap or a hat that will not blow away.

In winter, add warmth. At the Cape Agulhas station July averages highs of about 17.8 °C, and the wind on the water makes it feel colder. Gloves and a scarf are not too much for an early trip. In spring and summer, add sunscreen and sunglasses, because the glare off the water is strong.

Prepare them for what they will see. Show them a picture of a southern right whale, explain the blow and the tail, and turn the trip into a spotting game. Children are often the first to notice a splash on the horizon, and the guide's explanations keep their attention between sightings.

If a boat is not right for your family, the shore can be just as exciting. At certain points along the Cliff Path, whales come as close as five meters from the shore. Pair a morning on the cliffs with an ice cream in town, and the whole family gets a day with the whales without leaving dry land.

In the town centre, Gearing's Point overlooks the Old Harbour and gives an uninterrupted view of the ocean. Further east, Sievers Point is one of the most popular whale watching spots and the closest to where the whales play, while the Kwaaiwater lookout can be reached by car.

Listen for the whale crier too. South African Tourism describes him as the man who sounds a horn to alert visitors to whales in season. A morning on the cliffs and an afternoon on the boat make a perfect pair: you learn to spot the whales from land, then meet them up close on the water.

It is less suited to wheelchair users, because the vessel is not wheelchair accessible, and to anyone who does not want to be on a boat at all. In those cases the cliffs offer a wonderful alternative, and some lookouts can be reached by car. Travellers who get very seasick should take tablets in advance or choose a calm day.

Most of all, it suits people who are happy to let nature lead. Whale watching tours in Hermanus are at their best when you come with curiosity rather than a checklist. In the season, with a good guide and a calm sea, the bay gives you encounters that stay with you for a very long time.