Article tacen from Hermanus Whale Festival Website .

The 15th Hermanus Whale Festival will start with a big splash on Friday 22 September, breach with the Welcome Whales Wave on Saturday 23 September and lobtail to the music until Monday 25 September this year.

But firstly, our very own royalty, the Prince and Princess of Whales, will be crowned on Thursday 21 September at a sparkling pageant at the Hawston High School where some surprise celebrities will make an appearance.

The whales are always the star performers and will be joined on land by culinary artists, musicians, crafters, sports celebrities and thousands of people celebrating Spring in the most beautiful place on earth – Hermanus.

The “young” Overberg Festival, held for the first time last year, will be linked to the Hermanus Whale Festival. All the quaint, curious and incredible talent of the whole of the Overberg will be on show at the Rainbow Stage amphitheatre and the wholesome, down to earth goodness of the region’s food and drinks, crafts and exhilarating eco-attractions will be on show in the Overberg Experience marquee.

Whale watching and shark cage diving, flights and kayak trips are just some of the adventures available but even eagles, penguins, cranes and Everest will feature at the Go-Enviromental marquee and talks venue. Special guest, Captain Paul Watson of Sea Shepherd will reveal plans for putting a stop to the massacre of Southern Right whales by the Japanese whalers.

The theme this year is youth and everyone will be given a very youthful welcome to Hermanus from 21 – 30 September.