Walker Bay
Walker Bay opens wide — a 17-kilometre arc of white sand and limestone rock that faces the Southern Ocean with nothing between you and Antarctica. The cold Benguela current that runs along this coast is the reason for almost everything: the fog that lifts by mid-morning, the extraordinary marine life, and the fact that Southern Right Whales choose these sheltered waters every year between June and December to mate and calve.
The bay sits within a nature reserve reached through gatehouses at De Kelders and Uilkraalsmond. An entry permit covers your choice of activity — day hike, fishing, a visit to Klipgat Cave — and the reserve closes at seven each evening.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who return tend to time their arrival for the cave first, before the day warms up and the rock-hopping gets slippery. Klipgat's two chambers are small and the entryway is tight, so going early means you have the boardwalk to yourself. Die Plaat beach fills up by noon in summer; arrive before ten or stay past four.
The story behind Walker Bay
The bay takes its name from William Walker, a master in the Royal Navy who surveyed this stretch of coast between Knysna and the Cape in 1817 and 1818. The first written record of his name attached to these waters appears in 1833, in William Fitzwilliam Owen's account of his voyages along the shores of Africa.
Long before Walker's survey, the coast held people. Klipgat Cave shows evidence of Middle Stone Age occupation dating back as far as 85,000 years, making it one of the most significant early human sites in the country. Khoi and San communities lived around the bay roughly 2,000 years ago. The reserve itself was demarcated as a formal ward in 1981 and elevated to district status in 2004.
Good to know
Drive the R43 from Hermanus toward Stanford — about 160 km from Cape Town total. The reserve is open daily 7 am to 7 pm; permits start at R65, available at the gatehouses or the Voëlklip office on weekdays. No fires, no overnight camping. For whales, June through early December is the window; September and October are peak.
Summers are long and sunny, cooled by south-easterly breezes off the ocean, though the sea itself stays cold year-round thanks to the Benguela current. Winter brings the bulk of the region's rain — roughly half of the annual 850 mm falls between May and August — and also the first whales.
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What travellers say about Walker Bay
Would highly recommend if you're in Hermanus! Great fun. Special shout out to Herman too. I messaged him on WhatsApp a few days before and he was so quick to reply and very helpful and accommodating. He even organised for us to be dropped directly from the new harbour where we'd just had a whale boat watching tour so we could make the session in time. A lovely guy and a great activity.
This is a truly unique, world-class experience of the beautiful South African coastline with its own local feel. We saw seals, common dolphins (100s) and a bryde's whale - all within 60 meters of our kayaks. Our group was small with our guide Bjorn - who has extensive knowledge of Walker Bay and a passion for the environment. The kayaks are of excellent quality and comfortable for the duration of the trip. If you really want to be close to nature whilst being in one of a most magnificent setting, then I would highly recommend this trip over other experiences.
Unforgettable Kayaking: Dolphins, Seals, and World-Class Service! If you are visiting or living in Hermanus, Walker Bay Adventures is an absolute must. We had the most amazing morning on the water, and the entire process was seamless from start to finish. Herman was incredibly friendly and communicative. Scheduling was a breeze, which took all the stress out of the planning. I was especially impressed by the care Herman took to ensure my 74-year-old mother felt comfortable and safe. He went above and beyond to make sure she would have a wonderful time, and she absolutely did! Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the local marine life and environment. He did a great job of managing a group with mixed abilities, ensuring everyone felt confident in their kayak. It was truly a magical morning. We lost count of how many dolphins we saw! We also had some lovely encounters with a couple of seals. Being that close to nature in such a peaceful way was breathtaking. Whether you're an adrenaline seeker or just looking for a serene way to see the coastline, this is the team to go with. Highly recommend!
We booked a paddle with Herman from Walkerbay Adventures just before year end. It was above our expectation as our guide was very informative about the sea, Hermanus and had lots of stories and information to part with. This was very enjoyable. It was not too tiring but great fun for the family. We will doit again
A morning well spent, a 10/10 kayak with Bjorn who was very knowledgeable and we were lucky to get an unexpected visitor from a Brides whale and saw seals, penguins and enjoyed the surroundings and bobbing up and down on the kayak! Would definitely recommend
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