Africa's Dramatic 'Whale Coast' Is Full Of Breathtaking Drives, Scenic Trails, And Wild Beaches

South Africa — which has been named the friendliest country in the world — also boasts some of the most stunning landscapes and whale-watching opportunities. East of Cape Town lies 125 miles of picturesque coastline, which draw these giant migratory mammals beginning each June. Between June and November, whale-watching cruises depart from Hermanus, considered the world's whale capital, to get close to these fascinating ocean-dwelling creatures. If you prefer to stay on land, whales can often be spotted along the shore as well.

You can often see other marine life along the Whale Coast, including dolphins, penguins, seals, and great white sharks. You can spend more than a few days exploring this underrated part of South Africa, where visitors will find scenic highways, bustling beach towns, dramatic swaths of sand, lush mountainsides, and quaint farms and vineyards. Stretching along the coast, the Kogelberg Biosphere, a nearly 250,000-acre expanse, beckons with plenty of hiking trails and diverse landscapes, including parts of the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Cape Floral Region. 

The Cape Whale Coast begins in Rooi-Els, about an hour's drive from Cape Town International Airport, and ends at Quoin Point Nature Reserve. To visit the Cape Whale Coast for optimal wildlife watching, come between June and November, when whales migrate from Antarctica to South Africa's shores. For perfect beach and hiking weather, however, the best time of year for a warm and relaxing South African getaway is between September and March.

One of the most luxurious home bases on the Whale Coast is the beachfront Birkenhead House, an elegant 11-room hideaway in Hermanus. From the hotel's terrace and infinity-edge pool, a panorama of rocky coastline, swaths of sand, and endless ocean unfurl. The beauty of Birkenhead House is its all-inclusive nature, so all of your meals, drinks, laundry service, and shuttle into Hermanus town are included. The rooms are colorful and cheerful, framing spectacular water views.

Dining features the bounty of the sea and local ingredients, served alongside the best South African wines. Nearby activities include beach walks, surfing, hiking, vineyard visits, and browsing galleries and boutiques in Hermanus. "It was exciting watching the whales from the hotel's terrace," wrote a Tripadvisor reviewer. "Couple that with fantastic hospitality, food and wine and you have one of the best hotels we know, brilliant, beautiful Birkenhead."

Due to Birkenhead House's intimate size, travelers looking for more amenities may be happier at Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa. Set on the shores of the Bot River Lagoon that is carved into the Kogelberg Biosphere, the resort boasts 145 rooms and suites, as well as a top-rated 18-hole golf course and a pampering spa. Here, you can easily access some of the Whale Coast's inland treasures, such as hiking trails, as well as a convenient drive into Kleinmond, one of the main waterfront towns of the Whale Coast with a pristine beach, which is just a 15-minute drive away.

The Whale Coast's striking beauty of green, fynbos-coated mountains and white-sand beaches is best observed by car. As you're leaving Cape Town, rent a vehicle and drive down to Boulders Beach, where you can get up close and personal with African penguins. Then, cruise along the coast to get onto the R44, also known as Clarence Drive. The highway hugs the coast as it bypasses sweeping beaches en route to the main towns of the Whale Coast. This road cuts through Kleinmond and ends right past the Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa. To continue the drive, turn onto R43, another major highway that will lead you toward Hermanus.

If you are visiting the Whale Coast between June and November, don't miss the opportunity to embark on a whale-watching cruise. Hermanus Whale Cruises have been in operation since the late '90s and offer two-hour cruises along the coast to spot the migratory mammals. Thrill seekers who want to swim with great white sharks can also head out on shark cage diving expeditions in Gansbaai, about a 30-minute drive from Hermanus. For more leisurely activities, the Whale Coast's beaches offer vast sandy stretches and cliff walks, while Grotto Beach and Kleinmond Beach have been designated as Blue Flag Beaches for their pristine environmental stewardship.

Though the draw of the Whale Coast is often the intrigues of the ocean, inland beauty awaits. Breathtaking hiking trails for all levels wind through the unique landscapes of the Kogelberg Biosphere, which includes forests, mountains, floral meadows, river valleys, beaches, and botanical gardens.