Activities
Villa Whalebay is a brand new private luxury villa in De Kelders, situated on the southern tip of Africa, just a 2-hour drive from Cape Town.
Nestled on the cliffs in a unique natural paradise, it is surrounded by pristine beaches, majestic mountains, and the fynbos vegetation. It offers wide-ranging vistas of the Walker Bay Nature Reserve, the clear blue waters of the South Atlantic and the dramatic coastline. Right in front of the house, powerful waves roll and crash against the rocks sending spray soaring high into the air. From June to December, whales and their babies gracefully glide through the bay and they can be easily observed from the lounge. Dolphin families, seals, and seabirds also frequent the bay
Whale watching from the Lounge
De Kelders is one of the best land based whale watching spots in the world. The Southern Right Whales migrate every year between June and December from the icy Antarctic to our warmer, sheltered bays to mate, calve and raise their young. They come very close to the deep waters of the De Kelders coastline.
From the elevated position of the villa on the cliffs you can watch the whales from the comfort of the living room or sea front deck. It is a special experience to see these gentle giants only a few meters from the shore and to hear their blowing. In addition to the Southern right whales other whale species like Humpback whales and Bryde’s Whales occasionally appear. You can also observe dolphin families swimming along the coast, as well as seals and coastal marine birds. A trip in a licensed whale watching boat allows an even closer contact and can be booked by Ivanhoe Sea Safaris https://whaleviewing.co.za/ or Dyer Island Cruises https://www.whalewatchsa.com/. As the bay is designated as a whale sanctuary and boat-based whale watching is limited to a designated offshore sea area, the boats do not interfere with the whale-watching from land.
Shark Cage Diving
Gansbaai is internationally renowned as the top destination for diving and interacting with Great White Sharks, one of the ocean´s most impressive predators.
You can view these magnificent animals in the world famous Shark Alley around Dyer Island, just offshore of Gansbaai, from the comfort of a boat or underwater from a cage. No diving experience is needed and you will never be more than a meter below the surface, completely protected in a metal cage. This thrilling face to face encounter with one of nature’s most fearsome but powerful and elegant creatures is an unforgettable experience. The boats launch from Kleinbaai harbor. Trips can be booked at the Marine Dynamics reception office in the Great White House in Kleinbaai or online (https://sharkwatchsa.com/en/home/). The thatch-roofed White House with an impressive whale skeleton on the ceiling is also a restaurant and cafe and a good place to relax after the excursion. Other companies are Great White Shark Tours (https://www.sharkcagediving.net/) and Sharklady Adventures (https://sharklady.co.za/), both located also in Kleinbaai.
Walks and Hikes
The sourroundings of Villa Whalebay offer a stunning scenery and various hiking options from gentle scenic walks to demanding hiking experiences. Take an easy walk on the coastal path (Klipgat-Trail) that runs right along the villa through the fynbos and experience the breathtaking coastline with its colored rock formations. Enjoy the stunning views overlooking the crashing waves of the ocean. Discover secluded coves for swimming, quiet beaches and explore the captivating historical Klipgat cave.
You can also choose more demanding hiking tours or multi-day hikes that will immerse you completely into nature. Several hikes trails start nearby in the Gansbaai area, Stanford, Hermanus and in the Kogelberg nature reserve. As more easy and accessible walking trails we recommend the Klipgat-Trail, the beautiful coastal path in Hermanus and the trails in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve.
- Klipgat Hiking Trail : This trail meanders for 7km from the Gansbaai harbour along the shoreline to the Klipgat Cave, in the Walker Bay Nature Reserve and passes directly by the villa. You'll see the coastline, limestone-rock vegetation and pass several larger and smaller caves and coves.The best known of these caves, Klipgat, was named for its remarkable window-like openings that offer spectacular views of the bay and sea
- Fernkloof Nature Reserve Hiking Trail: This easy 10km trail takes you through the Fernkloof Nature Reserve in Hermanus. You'll see fynbos vegetation, waterfalls, and the coast.
- Leopard's Gorge Hiking Trail: This challenging 10km trail takes you through a deep gorge in the Kogelberg Nature Reserve. You'll be rewarded with stunning views of waterfalls, rock formations, and fynbos vegetation
- Salmonsdam Nature Reserve Hiking Trail: This moderate 9km trail takes you through the Salmonsdam Nature Reserve near Stanford. You'll enjoy views of fynbos vegetation, the Klein River Mountains, and the Grootbos Nature Reserve
- Perdeberg Hiking Trail: This easy 7km trail takes you through the Perdeberg Nature Reserve near Hermanus. You'll see fynbos vegetation, wildlife, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Klipgat Cave
The Klipgat Cave is just a short walk away from Villa Whalebay, situated in the Walker Bay Nature Reserve. It was once inhabited by people of the Middle Stone Age, approximately 70,000 years ago, making it one of the oldest known sites where Homo sapiens lived. It is famed for its natural limestone „window“ looking out onto stunning ocean views. The protected cove nearby serves as an ideal spot for spending a day on the beach.
Cape Floral Kingdom
Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Cape Floral Region is one of the world’s most precious natural treasures. The area includes national parks, nature reserves, wilderness areas, State forests and mountain regions. It has been recognized as one of the most special places for plants in the world in terms of diversity, density and number of endemic species. Regarded as one of the six Floral Kingdoms of the world it is the smallest and the most diverse.
Fynbos, a ecosystem of plants that is dominated by shrubland, is unique to the Cape Floral Region and makes up most of the vegetation. Walk through the fynbos in the Walker-Bay Reserve and explore its distinctive beauty
Horse Riding
For a unique way of experiencing the beauty of the Overberg coastal area, try a ride through the fynbos and enjoy its natural beauty or challenge yourself with a long beach gallop along the pristine beaches. For an exhilarating thrill, try a swim on horseback in the ocean (Pearly Beach Horse trails https://pbhorsetrails.co.za/).
Fat Bike Tours
You will love the experience. It is a great way to enjoy the spectacular coastline with minimal impact on the environment, while keeping fit. The guided tour takes you through a stunning fynbos trail to a huge dune field and along the spectacular beaches of De Kelders (Fat bike tours South Africa https://fatbiketours.co.za/)
Golf
The local Gansbaai Golf Club is just 15 min away by car. This compact 9-hole course is nestled amid the rugged beauty of the surrounding fynbos and offers views of the Indian Ocean and distant mountain ranges (https://gansbaaigolfclub.com/).
The Hermanus Golf Course offers golfers an exquisite setting along the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. This 27-hole championship course boasts breathtaking views of Walker Bay.The course combines challenging fairways and well-maintained greens, making it a favorite among both seasoned players and beginners (http://www.hgc.co.za/).
Regarded as one of South Africa’s finest golfing destinations, the Arabella Golf Course is situated near the town of Kleinmond, just a short drive from Hermanus. Designed by Peter Matkovich, this 18-hole championship course offers spectacular views across the Bot River lagoon and the mountain range. With lush fairways, water features and strategically placed bunkers it offers a top-notch golfing experience (https://www.southernsun.com/arabella-hotel-golf-and-spa/golf).
Adventure Sports
Surfing
There are several popular surf spots mainly in Hermanus such as Onrus and Voelklip. Enclosed by rocky outcrops and thanks to its clean, clear water, fine white sand and dreamy setting Voeklip Beach is also a great location for swimming.
Paragliding
The paragliding providers in Hermanus offer both solo and tandem experiences. The breath-taking coastal scenery and beautiful mountains make this an experience of a lifetime; The flight itself usually lasts around 30 minutes and includes a quick safety presentation for newcomers. https://www.sahpa.co.za/site-guide/sites/hermanus/
Kiting
The nearby Klein River Lagoon is a perfect spot for kiters. Surrounded by nature reserves makes kiting in this spot feel like you’re on a true expedition. With no buildings along the waterfront and no restaurants on the beach, it’s just you and the wind.
The spot has two options for kiteboarding: the Klein River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. The lagoon offers flat and warm water but a short hop across the sand will put you in the ocean for a fun wave session. Absolute beginners can take lessons from one of the local kite schools (Kitesurf Hermanus or Off The Charts Kitesurfing) while independent riders can enjoy perfect freeride conditions. On a very windy westerly, you’ll see inter- national pros practicing their Big Air moves in a setting where you can almost reach out and touch them. https://www.kitesurfhermanus.co.za/
Mountain Biking
Situated 20 minutes outside of Gansbaai, Klipspringer MTB Trails consist of 4 routes all starting/finishing from Lomond Wine Estate. Day permits can be purchased at the Lomond tasting room. The routes have different levels of difficulty, from easy to demanding. You’ll earn breathtaking views of the sea from the tops of the fynbos-covered mountains.
There are also many other routes in the wider area. We recommend the open 17 km circular trail that takes riders through the picturesque Fernkloof Nature Reserve in Hermanus. In Hermanus there are several shops where bikes and gear can be rented. Maps of routes are available as well. https://www.trailforks.com/region/overberg-district/ , https://overbergmtbevents.co.za/
Hermanus Wine Route
The world famous Hermanus Wine Route, just a 35 min drive from Villa Whalebay, winds through the Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven and Earth) valley and boasts over 15 renowned wine farms, many of them with wonderful tasting rooms and restaurants. This easily managed 20-km wine route makes for a perfect day in a terroir that not only produces the country’s best cool-climate wines, especially Pinot noir and Chardonnay, but also offers some of the most dramatic views of the Overberg region. Its wine farms benefit from elevated altitudes, rich soils and cool breezes from the Atlantic Ocean.
Visit Hermanus
Hermanus is one of the best known vacation spots in the Western Cape. Situated on the scenic coastline, it offers a well-developed tourist infrastructure with numerous restaurants, shopping opportunities and other activities. We recommend a walk on the Cliff path, meandering for 11 km from the New Harbour to Grotto Beach, the Fernkloof Nature Reserve with a variety of hiking trails and wine-tasting in the Hemel-and-Aarde wine Route. Do not miss a detour to the Rotary Drive which offers an incredible view over Hermanus, the Klein-River lagoon and the entire Walker bay.
Visit Stanford
Stanford is a well-preserved, historic village build along the Klein-River. Stroll through Stanford’s peaceful streets, admire the Cape Victorian and Edwardian architecture and discover restaurants, cafes and antique stores. Cruise down the Klein-River to the Lagoon, indulge in the scenic beauty of the surrounding mountain ranges and observe more than 120 species of birds (https://xplorio.com/stanford/lady-stanford-river-cruises/).