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Bettys Bay, Hermanus and Gansbaai

Bettys Bay, Hermanus, and Gansbaai are three charming and cosy fishing villages located in the Overberg region. Spot Great White Sharks, whales, penguins, and more!

The three fishing villages

Bettys Bay, Hermanus, and Gansbaai are three fishing villages in the Overberg region. From Cape Town, Bettys Bay is the first village you will encounter after about 96 kilometres, followed by Hermanus and then Gansbaai.

Bettys Bay

This is the longest village in South Africa, stretching 13 kilometres between the Kogelberg and the ocean. The village is named Bettys Bay after the lucky Betty, the daughter of the area's first developer. The gentleman named the bay after the girl—who wouldn’t want that?! Later, in 1912, Bettys Bay became known as a formal whaling station, where whales were hunted and processed until the 1930s. Remnants of this grim site can still be found at Stony Point. However, Stony Point is a must-visit for even more reasons during a trip to Bettys Bay! It is a unique location, serving as a breeding colony for African penguins. You can enjoy a lovely walk here, get some fresh air, watch the penguins, and observe their daily activities. If you're lucky, you may even spot a whale or two!

Hermanus

A village that started as a rustic fishing village and has now grown into one of the world’s top whale-watching spots. The Southern Right whales make their way to Walker Bay from June to December. You can admire these ocean giants from a boat, an aircraft, or, if you're lucky, from the coast. Hermanus is also famous for being the only village with a Whale Crier, who blows his kelp horn whenever whales are spotted along the coast.

Important to the residents of Hermanus are the annual whale festivals. Long live the whales! One of the festivals takes place at the end of September, when the Southern Right whales visit during their mating season. They also celebrate the "Kalfiefees," or Calf Festival. This is the main festival to welcome the first adorable baby whales. The Calf Festival is usually held in August.

What else does Hermanus have to offer?

Hermanus offers more than just whales. Here, you'll also find the Fernkloof Nature Reserve, a reserve with over 1,600 species of native Fynbos. You can explore the area on foot or, for a more Dutch experience, by bike! The secluded bays enclosed by rock formations and the long beaches provide the perfect ingredients for a delightful walk, swim, or surf session. If you're not in the mood for swimming, surfing, or hiking, you can also enjoy horse riding, quad biking, kayaking, paragliding, or simply cast a line. The only thing you can't do here is get bored!

Gansbaai

The Great White Shark capital of South Africa. If you're feeling particularly adventurous and Jaws is your favourite film, you can dive in a shark cage here and admire the magnificent Great White Sharks up close. In the same area, you're likely to encounter an abundance of seals and penguins! Additionally, in Gansbaai, you can step back in time. In the Klipgat Cave, you'll find excavated remains of our distant ancestors who lived there an impressive 70,000 years ago!

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That means you'll visit local people in their villages and communities. Hike with the Masai, cook with your host family in a homestay, and cast a line with traditional fishermen.

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