De Kelders gives you a chance to watch for whales from the eastern side of Walker Bay. Make a shore stop the main plan. Give yourself time to scan the water from an established public viewpoint, then add Walker Bay Nature Reserve only if its gate and conditions suit your group. A shore visit works without committing to a boat departure.

Featured photograph: rocky De Kelders coastline, 2011. Alexander Wunschik, CC BY-SA 3.0. Archival view. Featured framing may be cropped.

Give the bay time before moving on

Overstrand Municipality identifies De Kelders and Gansbaai as land-based viewing areas and says southern right whales usually arrive around June to mate and calve. That seasonal pattern helps you choose dates. On the day, the visibility and where the animals happen to be will matter. If you're staying in Hermanus, make the De Kelders side of the bay its own half-day instead of squeezing it between several timed bookings.

Bring binoculars if you have them, and spend some time in one place. Start with the water you can see from an established public spot and move your gaze slowly across the bay. A short blow or dark back may be easier to pick out if you're watching the same patch for a while. Leave room for a second look later if the day's itinerary allows it. Stay back from cliff edges and follow any local barriers or closures.

Southern right whale just below the surface in Walker Bay — Southern right whale in Walker Bay, photographed from a boat before May 2025. A shore sighting will often be farther away. Photograph by lumoplank, CC0 1.0.

Treat the reserve as a separate stop

CapeNature describes a reserve stretching from the Klein River side to De Kelders. If you want to visit Klipgat Cave, its guidance identifies the De Kelders gate. Confirm the correct gate, permit and current route with the reserve before setting off. CapeNature describes the cave approach as including a boardwalk and rocky sections. Ask about the conditions and the demands of the walk for your group, especially after poor weather.

The authority also lists a closure of the Die Polle access road due to dune movement. Use the current reserve instructions rather than relying on an old map or a travel photo. If you want the scenery without walking on uneven ground, keep the outing to an established public viewing point or change the plan after checking access.

Choose an overnight around the rest of your trip

Travellers planning both whale watching and a separate booked excursion near Gansbaai often weigh De Kelders against Hermanus. If you want to return to the same shore over two days, accommodation close to your chosen viewpoint makes that easier. Ask what can actually be seen from the specific room if the view matters to your booking. If you are already staying in Hermanus, a De Kelders day visit gives you time on the other side of the bay without changing hotels.

Keep one piece of the day flexible. Give the shore a short morning or afternoon window and leave another block for lunch or the reserve. If visibility is poor, spend the time on the parts of the coast you can enjoy without watching for whales. For a separate comparison focused on False Bay and Hermanus, see our Cape Peninsula and Hermanus whale-watching guide.

Planning a separate Cape Peninsula stay? Aqua Terra in Simon's Town welcomes guests aged 12 and over. Check Aqua Terra availability.

Editorial review by Aqua Terra. CapeNature access guidance and Overstrand's whale-season background checked 3 November 2026. Confirm conditions and access for your date.