Abalone Guest Lodge shines with a similar iridescence to the polished shell of its namesake; pastels and pearly off-whites throughout the house hint at a gentle underbelly and a rarity as precious as the mollusc itself. The nine en suite rooms have been comfortably furnished with wrought iron beds, underfloor heating, heated towel rails, satellite TV and tea and coffee stations.

Breakfast is served in the country-style dining room overlooking Walker Bay or outdoors on the terrace when the weather is fine. The lounge, with its comfortable sofas, a distinct absence of scatter cushions and a hearty fireplace, invites you to actually use it. With the same summery décor and casual beachside atmosphere, Abalone has a twin in Plettenberg Bay – another favourite with both whales and nature lovers.

Being near the famous cliff path, the guest house is in prime whale-watching position and the terraces of the sea-facing rooms provide an endless show. The guest house has a beautifully landscaped garden with neat little pathways and herb wheels; the sun deck, with loungers around its pool, overlooks the bay and its annual visitors who come to mate and calf in the shallows along the coastline from July to November.