A beach house perched directly above Walker Bay, where southern right whales pass close enough to watch from the pillow during the region's famous whale-watching season.
01 / 06
Overview
Built on the Site of a Shipwreck's Namesake
Birkenhead House takes its name from the British troop ship that sank in Walker Bay in 1852, its cliff-top position today making it one of the best land-based whale-watching spots in the world.
Eleven individually styled rooms are spread across the Front, Middle and Back House, each mixing modern and antique furnishings, shell-covered armoires and contemporary artwork with a distinctly beach-house sense of fun. Front House rooms sit closest to the restaurant with uninterrupted ocean views; rooms further back trade a partial view for extra privacy. A central swimming pool and a smaller plunge pool at the front give guests two distinct places to take in Walker Bay, while a telescope in the main sitting room helps spot southern right, humpback and the rarer Bryde's whales as they pass.
Part of The Royal Portfolio. Birkenhead House shares its ownership with La Residence in Franschhoek and The Silo in Cape Town, all part of Liz Biden's Royal Portfolio collection.
11
Individually Styled Rooms
1852
Year of the Birkenhead Wreck
Jun-Nov
Southern Right Whale Season
2
Pools, Cliff-Top & Central
Rooms
Front House, Middle House, Back House
Rooms are arranged across three connected houses, trading proximity to the restaurant and sea view for varying degrees of privacy.
Front House Room — Ocean View
01
Front House RoomsClosest to the restaurant, with uninterrupted ocean views over Walker Bay, ideal for guests who want the whale-watching front and centre.
02
Middle & Back House RoomsSlightly further from the action, offering a little more privacy alongside partial views over the bay and gardens.
03
A Private Plunge PoolOne room includes its own private plunge pool for guests wanting an extra layer of seclusion.
04
Stone BathroomsBathrooms feature stone floors, egg-shaped freestanding baths, separate vanities and a walk-in shower throughout the house.
Experiences
Southern Right Whales, From the Cliff
Hermanus is widely regarded as one of the best places on Earth for land-based whale watching, and Birkenhead House sits directly above the action.
Season
Southern Right Whale Season
From June to November, whales pass close enough to shore to watch comfortably from the house's decks and rooms.
On the Water
Boat-Based Whale Watching
Hermanus Whale Cruises and other operators run harbour-boat excursions for closer encounters.
Nearby
Dyer Island & Shark Alley
A 40-minute drive to Gansbaai reaches Dyer Island's penguin and seal colonies, and the shark cage-diving grounds of Shark Alley.
On Foot
Fernkloof Nature Reserve
Over 1,100 plant species have been identified within this reserve's mountain trails, a short drive from the house.
Wine
Hemel-en-Aarde Wine Route
One of South Africa's most acclaimed Pinot Noir regions lies just beyond Hermanus, a natural pairing with a coastal stay.
Foraging
Beach Foraging
Guests can forage mussels and sea urchins from the rocks below the house, then have the chef prepare the catch.
Dining
Ocean to Fork, Fusion Flavours
Cuisine blends modern African and Cape seafood with French technique and Asian and Italian influences, served in the restaurant or on the veranda overlooking the bay.
01The restaurant, with sweeping views of Walker Bay
02The veranda, for lunch overlooking the ocean
03Homemade cakes and afternoon tea
04Foraged seafood, prepared to order in the kitchen
The Veranda — Walker Bay View
Location
Hermanus, the Whale Capital
Birkenhead House sits on a cliff top on the outskirts of Hermanus, overlooking Walker Bay roughly ninety minutes from Cape Town.
Perched directly above Walker Bay, one of the world's best land-based whale-watching locations.
A short walk to nearby beaches, just below the house's rim-flow pool.
A 90-minute scenic drive from Cape Town along the coast.
Close to Gansbaai's shark cage-diving grounds and the Hemel-en-Aarde wine route.
Fly
Cape Town International Airport is roughly 90 minutes from the house by car.
Drive
A scenic coastal drive along the R44 brings guests directly into Hermanus.
Combine
Birkenhead House pairs naturally with La Residence in Franschhoek or The Silo in Cape Town.
Whale Season
Book June Through November
Southern right whales pass closest to shore between June and November, making this window the best time to see them directly from the house.