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