Walker Bay is perhaps the prettiest coastal nature reserve in the Overberg region of Western Cape, beginning in the seaside town of Hermanus. Known for its southern right whales, who return to these waters annually to calve, as well as shark and seal sightings off Gansbaai. There’s plenty to do, from hiking to wine tasting, whether you choose to stay in Hermanus, or in the artist’s enclave of Stanford and the Klein River lagoon, or Romansbaai on a private, fynbos-clad peninsula near Grootbos Nature Reserve.