Tips and Tricks for visitors going to the Hermanus Whale Festival 2006

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Hermanus Whale Festival 22 to 25th Septembet 2006.
Don’t wait until till its to late to book your accommodation. Whilst there is a lot of accommodation available in Hermanus it fills up quickly. Make sure you have your Passport to Pleasure. Visit the Hermanus Tourism Bureau website for more information. Whatever you do - make your reservations now!

Okay, so it's September, and you decide you want to go....should you try? Yes! It is worth it, but just be prepared to spend a bit of time on the internet or the phone! Keep calling. Accommodation establishments have cancellations; there are waiting lists....so if you are persistent, you will find a place somewhere!

Plan your transportation! If you are driving in for the day remember that the Market Square is closed to vehicular traffic and that ADO Parking cards are required for most parking spots.

Use the Whale Rider Shuttle buses, its the best to park at the Gateway Centre and hop on a shuttle into the village. Although the village of Hermanus is small it is still is a good idea to get a map of the village (available in the Whale Celebrations programme) so that you can plan your activities and make sure you’re shuttled to the right spot. The Whale Celebrations programme is a MUST because it is packed with all the information you may need about the festival and Whale Season – order one now.

Check the weather forecast. It can be very warm or it can be very cold. A lot of your fun will be outdoors, so plan accordingly: wear comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and layered clothing.

Plan your meals ahead! Restaurants fill up pretty quickly during the Whale Festival so make your plans early with those that accept reservations. If they don't, plan to wait a while to get a table, eat street vendor food, or pack your own snacks and sandwiches.

Have a meeting place! Make sure everyone knows where to meet in case anyone gets lost – the Festival Marquee is a good spot as it is central and everyone knows where it is.

Go Shopping! It is a festive time in Hermanus - make sure you have your Passport to Pleasure - its filled with discount coupons for accommodation, shops, activities, attractions, restaurants and even real estate.