If you’re planning a trip to the Western Cape and would like to go whale watching, now is the perfect time to do so. August is calf season, but whales can be spotted until November. Every year, southern right and humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to calve in South Africa’s sheltered bays. The mammals pass through the area running from Doringbaai, south of Cape Town, to the Storms River Mouth in Tsitsikamma, and if you’re lucky enough, you can spot these magnificent creatures as close as 50 meters from the shore.

The small town of Hermanus in Walker Bay, located 2 hours out of Cape Town, is the self-proclaimed whale watching capital of the world. Considering its size, it certainly packs a punch when it comes to luxury accommodation, with some of the Western’s Cape’s finest five star hotels located in this area.

Click here for the best luxury hotels to use as a base when whale watching.