Responsible Whale Watching

SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH AFRICA
The South African province of Western Cape in the south of the country offers
great whale watching opportunities. Majestic southern right whales are the main
species seen when they arrive on their migration from Antarctica to mate, give
birth and nurse their young in the sheltered waters along the coast. Whales can
be seen breaching (launching themselves out of the water), lobtailing (slapping
their tail fin forcefully down on the surface of the water) or resting as close as
50 metres from shore. Thirty-seven species of whales and dolphins have been
reported in the waters off South Africa.
Country or region
South Africa, Western Cape
Location:
Hermanus, Gansbaai, Kleinbaai
Best time to visit: J F M A M J J A S O N D
Main species seen:
Southern right whale (June - December),
humpback whale (June – September), Bryde’s
whale (year-round with peak in summer)
Species occasionally seen: Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphin and Indian
Ocean humpback dolphin (year-round with a
summer peak)
Types of whale watching on
offer:
Mainly 2-3 hour trips on offer
Southern right whales can be
seen close to shore when walking
along the Cliff Path. Guided whale
watching walking tours are also on
offer.
30-minute scenic flights over
Walker Bay
Added value:
Other good sites:
Hermanus has a Whale Museum; a “Whale
Crier” (rather like a town crier, the Whale
Crier announces when whales are around),
and also an annual Whale Festival in
September/October
Plettenberg Bay, Mossel Bay, Lamberts Bay,
Knysna
© Roman Richter
e Southern right whale | Humpback whale | Bryde‘s whale
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