| Conferencing venues in the Western Cape, | | | | |
| South Africa, have much to offer that other | | | | Winter |
| conference venues do not. Apart from | | | | |
| enjoying a wonderful climate, the The Whale | | | | Winter along the Whale Coast is generally |
| Coast in South Africa is a stretch of | | | | chilly and wet, but festivals and events are |
| coastline from approximately Gordon's Bay | | | | still a regular occurrence. |
| outside Cape Town, encompassing Walker Bay | | | | |
| and Cape Agulhas and stretching to the De | | | | The Fees van die Ganse (Festival of the |
| Hoop Nature Reserve and Witsands at its | | | | Geese) takes place in Gansbaai in July and is |
| eastern extremity. This area is famous for | | | | a celebration of the origin of the town's |
| the marine life which finds its home in the | | | | name. The name emanates from when geese used |
| cool oceans here. | | | | to flock to the freshwater spring in the |
| | | | centre of the town. This festival includes a |
| The Whale Coast is one of the Cape's busiest | | | | winter fynbos show. Fynbos is a shrub unique |
| tourist routes due to the experiences and | | | | to the Western Cape area and makes up most of |
| sights available here which are like no other | | | | the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of six floral |
| in the world. Shark cage diving and seasonal | | | | kingdoms in the world. Fynbos has many |
| whale watching are firm favourites, and there | | | | different species which flower during |
| are a host of other activities to enjoy at | | | | different times of the year which means that |
| different times of the year. | | | | there are always flowers visible in the area |
| | | | throughout the year. |
| Summer | | | | |
| | | | Spring |
| Summer in this part of the Cape is hot and | | | | |
| dry, with weeks of sunshine following each | | | | Spring is the beginning of the tourist season |
| other. | | | | along the Whale Coast and for good reason! |
| | | | During spring, the Southern Right Whales |
| Summer begins in December and a festive | | | | leave Antarctica and travel to the Whale |
| atmosphere of holidays and fun is very much a | | | | Coast to mate and calve. |
| part of the ambiance. Cultural activities are | | | | |
| an important part of the Whale Coast and the | | | | Hermanus, Gansbaai and other spots along this |
| summer bears no exception. Musical | | | | stretch of coast have some of the best |
| entertainment such as summer concerts and the | | | | land-based whale watching sites in the world. |
| Up The Creek music festival in the Breede | | | | The whales put on quite a performance as they |
| River area are just a short distance from the | | | | play in the waters. The Hermanus Whale |
| coast and are well-attended. | | | | Festival is usually held in late September |
| | | | and is one of the most popular festivals in |
| There are many smaller, regular events such | | | | the area. |
| as local craft markets, flower shows, | | | | |
| festivals and sports events ranging from | | | | Food and wine are a big part of life along |
| mountain bike races to an endurance race for | | | | the Whale Coast. Inland from the Whale Coast |
| rubber ducks! | | | | in the Overberg and Boland regions, some of |
| | | | the best wines in the world are produced and |
| Autumn | | | | these are readily available along the coast. |
| | | | Cuisine is also world-class, especially |
| Crayfish (West Coast Rock Lobster) season is | | | | dishes including fresh seafood! |
| from mid November to mid April in the Western | | | | |
| Cape and is a popular time for fishing and | | | | The Hermanus Food and Wine Festival is hosted |
| catching these delicious crustaceans. | | | | in early August, showcasing the top local |
| | | | wines and cuisine, and is an extremely |
| The town of Gansbaai in Walker Bay hosts a | | | | popular event. |
| Kreef (Crayfish) Derby in April, just before | | | | |
| the season closes. Attendees get to feast on | | | | All Year Round |
| a wide variety of fresh seafood such as | | | | |
| crayfish, perlemoen (abalone), snoek, | | | | There are many activities along the Whale |
| calamari and others. | | | | Coast which are available to visitors and |
| | | | locals all year round. |
| Gansbaai also hosts a Strandveld Ghost Tour | | | | |
| in April. Locals and visitors alike have | | | | Shark cage diving is a thrilling experience |
| established a keen interest in folklore, | | | | where one can see the ocean's greatest |
| myths and legends. The world-famous ship "The | | | | predator from up close while remaining safe. |
| Flying Dutchman" was an ill fated vessel, | | | | Shark cage diving is usually a day excursion, |
| destined to sail the stormy waters of the | | | | starting early in the morning when sharks |
| Cape until doomsday. The ship has been | | | | feed. A charter boat takes divers out to sea. |
| sighted along the coast here and was greatly | | | | The diving operations attract sharks to the |
| feared by sailors and fishermen for hundreds | | | | boat with chum - a mixture of fish and other |
| of years, and there have been sightings | | | | proteins. Once a shark has been spotted, |
| reported until the present day. | | | | divers are lowered into a cage attached to |
| | | | the side of the boat and can view the |
| In May, the town of Hermanus is host to the | | | | beautiful creatures from a safe place. |
| Urban Assault Mountain Bike Challenge, a 40km | | | | |
| marathon for mountain bike fans. | | | | The Whale Coast is an area which is fun to |
| | | | explore on foot or on horseback. Many hiking |
| Just outside Hermanus at the Onrus Caravan | | | | and horse trails wind their way through the |
| Park, also in May, visitors can enjoy the | | | | scenery and are incredibly educational if |
| Onrus Vis (fish) Bash. The Vis Bash is a | | | | partaken with a guide. The trails offer |
| great opportunity for seafood lovers to | | | | incredible views of the coastline and the |
| sample different seafood dishes and a range | | | | stretching oceans. |
| of delicious local fish. | | | | |