Boat based whale watching south africa oceans africa. Combine two of south africas top activities, whalewatching and winetasting, in a single 9hour tour from cape town. A south african beach popular with christmas holidaymakers has been closed until the carcass of a beached whale is removed amid concerns its blood may attract sharks, the city of. Whale watching south africa humpbacks, southern rights. A guide to whale watching in south africa flight centre uk.
Although they are the only species of whale that is present in south african. Whale watching and marine big 5 tours in south africa. These 23 hour boat based whale watching charters are available from plettenberg bay, knysna, hermanus, gansbaai and durban. Whale views gordons bay cape town nestling at the foot of the beautiful hottentot holland mountains where they tumble into the sea at gordons bay, whaleviews offers two self catering apartments dolphins leap and dolphins rest. Along the cape whale coast the area between rooiels pringle bay and pearly beach. South africa is one of the top 10 locations worldwide for whale watching, with exceptional land and boatbased whale viewing from cape town and the garden route to the wild coast, richards bay and st lucia make your way to south africas 2000km long whale coast for a privileged encounter with the largest mammals on earth. Best time for whale watching in south africa rhino africa. Hermanus is undoubtedly the whale watching capital of the western cape, if not south africa. Hermanus whale watchers in south africa is a boatbased whale watching. The whale route south africa amazing road trips from cape. The boat is licensed to carry 40 passengers but we restrict the loading to 25 passengers, this avoids overcrowding and passengers can move freely. The best time for watching the southern right whale in south african waters is from june to november along the cape south coast. All you need to know about whale watching in south africa.
The ocean safari is a trip to snorkel with whale sharks, this is for everyone with no experience necessary. Boat based whale and dolphin watching charters are available daily in most areas. South africa may be known for its big five, but the marine wildlife is just as impressive. This whale watching tour is a full day, guided tour from cape town to hermanus. The curious humpback whale can be seen between may to december, moving up along the coast from hermanus to st lucia in kwazulunatal. Watch the worlds gentle giants of the deep frolic in waters of walker bay. The animals can be clearly seen from a scenic clifftop walk, and the town holds a whalewatching festival every september. After the safety briefing and launch you should remain dry. At least 37 species of whales and dolphins can be found in the waters off south africa. Cape town whale watching south africa whale watching. Hermanus whale watching best close encounters, purpose.
The species that you are most likely to spot while whale watching in cape town, south africa, is the southern right whale, spy hopping at you from the depths beneath on their annual migration. Even today, many former whale stations can be found along the coast, including the old station in hermanus. In cape town, you can sometimes spot whales from along the road on the false bay coast. Every year, southern right whales take a vacation in cape waters, treating cape town locals to a display of breaching, fluking, spouting, and spyhopping. Main season is from may to october, there are halfday tours in the false bay or from gansbaai starting at about 150 dollars. Blog whale watching season in south africa hotspots2c. With over 12kms worth of coastal hiking trails, elevated hills and quaint seaside restaurants, hermanus offers an unparalleled whale watching experience. Join us on a wonderful cape town day trip marine safari that takes us to see the mighty southern wright whale. Hermanus is a town on the southern coast of the western cape province of south africa, famous for southern right whale watching during the southern winter and spring.
Cape town has multiple nearby areas where there are plenty of whale sightings like lamberts bay and elands bay. Ivanhoe sea safaris cooperate on the scientific project with scientist to protect our beloved whales. The best time for watching the southern right whale along the cape south coast is between june to november, with peak calving season in july and august. Cape point, at the very southwestern tip of the continent, also provides a range of perfect vantage points to experience this annual phenomenon. Using modern approaches of population and landscape genetics, we aim to get information about details of population structure, the role.
There isnt a better time for whale watching in south africa than right now because the southern right whale is busy congregating just off the countrys coastline. There is no better place in the world to go on an ocean safari than in africa, particularly south africa with its incredible whale watching opportunities, unforgettable shark cage diving experiences. For people who have not snorkeled then you can just hold onto the boat when in the water. Contact us whale watching in south africa hermanus. This south african holiday route hugs the coast through the most crowded parts of this giant whale nursery, where in season you can see up to 20 at play at a time.
But this portion of the coastline, which includes the towns of kleinmond, hermanus. Further south, the town of hermanus in walker bay on the cape south. The coming of the whales to the western capes southern coastline, also known as the cape whale coast, every year between june and november, not only creates a stir, but brings to our shores a large, intelligent and remarkable giant of the sea and the only mammal to have adapted to life in the open oceans. The selfproclaimed whalewatching capital of the world, the small town of hermanus undeniably holds a few trump cards. Southern right whales in south africa many years ago, the cape, much like many other coastal cities and towns around the world, was a big part of the whaling industry. Whale watching in south africa will leave you in awe. We werent always this lucky whale hunters took a devastating toll on numbers from the 1800s onwards, and as whales with calves were the main targets, the population plummeted. Southern right whale watching season starts in june and ends december. During the off peak whale season we go in search of the resident brydes whale and other marine life of hermanus. Whale watching season in hermanus cape towns unique no. The animals can be clearly seen from a scenic clifftop walk, and the town holds a whale watching festival every september. The 120 km transfer from cape town to hermanus takes you on the magnificent coastal route along clarence drive, past rugged mountains and sweeping bays. Whale watching fish hoek, cape town, south africa youtube. Whalewatching waters off the coast of southern africa run from false bay, south of cape town, up as far as st lucia in.
South africa is one of the best destinations worldwide for watching whales and dolphins. The project we participate on is focused on the population and conservation genetics of southern right whale eubalaena australis in south africa. Between august and november, the chance to see whales in cape town brings large numbers of visitors to various whale watching hotspots across the peninsula. Enjoy a scenic 2hour drive from cape town, explore the natural beauty as we take you to the best whale watching location on the south african coast line. The season for whale watching along the east coast is expected to be. R600 per adult driver trips for 90mins kids under 16yrs on the back of instructors. Whale watching season, boat trips in hermanus, south africa. South africa the best tips for whale watching in south. Whale season is an amazing time of year, when southern right whales come to breed and calve within. Whale watching in south africa things to do in south. Hermanus, cape point, clarence drive and wilderness, enroute to the garden route, are but a few of these worldclass. Travel to hermanus to see right whales off the coast or upgrade your tour with an optional whalewatching cruise.
Relish the rich natural beauty and diversity that south africa has to offer, and enjoy the finest marine viewing experiences. The route traverses several famous protected areas, including the garden route, tsitsikamma national park, and the transkei. Everything you need to know about whale watching in south. At any time of year, the cape peninsula is home to a bounty of marine mammals with plentiful opportunities to go dolphin and whale watching in cape town. Boat based whale watching bookings cape town hermanus. Where exactly you choose boils down to what kind of experience you want to have. Hermanus south africa walbeobachtungen in sudafrika downloads. Snorkel with whale sharks shark diving cape town south. Whale watching in south africa home brand south africa. Here you will encounter a large number of whales from june to december peak season is in. Its also the best place to see humpback whales, with their knobbly bodies and playful acrobatic breaching above the waters surface.
Whale watching in south africa will leave you in awe videos by ph september 12, 2017, 11. Only a 2 hour drive from cape town transport options are available, dyer island cruises offers our guests the potential to see more marine wildlife in one trip, than anywhere else in the country. Get upcloseandpersonal to marine mammals in their natural environment experience the thrill of watching humpback whales lobtailing, southern right whales breaching, dolphins jumping and seals playing, and be awed by greatwhite sharks. We share news and blog articles from across our various wildlife tours and marine big 5 adventures. Only three hours out of cape town, explore the beautiful, diverse and fynbosfilled.
Whale watching in the western cape south africa travel news. Accommodation gordons bay, cape town whale views luxury. The whale route starts along the south of cape town and extends to durban, 1,200 plus miles of whale watching coastline. One of the coolest things about living in cape town is that every season theres something new to see and do. Each year i look forward to seasonal events happening all.
From july to december the pods of whales grace the shores of southern africa. Peak calving season, and therefore viewing season, is during july and august. It hosts an annual whale festival to celebrate the returning of the southern right whales to. The best time to enjoy whale watching in hermanus is between july and november either from land, by boat or from the air via a.
Any stay at the twelve apostles luxury hotel can be made even more special with this oneofakind wildlife experience. Exploring whale coast, south africa road trips across the world. As you enter gansbaai on the r43 from hermanus, at the second four way stop turn right into voortrekker street. Whale watching season hermanus south africa southern. There are dozens of locations along the coast in and around cape town to observe the. Boat based whale watching tour cape town south africa. As long as you are comfortable in the water and can snorkel, then this is easy and safe. Toprated cape town whale watching tours 2020 dolphin tours. Heres what you need to know about whale watching in cape town. In fact, this sprawling seaside town with its incomparable cliffs and vantage points is considered to be the best landbased whalewatching spot in the world, where the southern right whales that annually descend on hermanus are often seen within metres. Where to whale watch in south africa fodors travel guide. Further south, the town of hermanus in walker bay on the cape south coast offers possibly the best landbased whalewatching in the world. The best time for whale watching in south africa is from june until october, though whale watching season starts as early as may and lasts until november. Further south, the town of hermanus in walker bay on the cape south coast offers possibly the best landbased whale watching in the world.
Wedged between the mountain and the sea, the quaint hamlet of hermanus has been rated by the world wildlife fund wwf as one of the twelve best whale watching locations in the world, and it is often regarded as the heart of the whale route. Tooting the title of one of the best landbased whale watching spots in the world, our favourite contender is undoubtedly the sensational tiny town of hermanus, just 2 hours away from cape town. The wind starts turning from the legendary south easter or cape doctor to the infamous north west winds. Peak calving season is july and august, but whales can be seen through september and october. Wind and rain do sweep the streets of cape town on occasion, but on other days the temperature can rise up to 25 degrees and have you wondering if summer ever left. Cape town is blessed with being the only place in the world where one could quite possibly see a great white shark and a whale on the same boat. Whale watching south africa south africa travel news. Spend some time gazing out to see over walker bay and youre sure to spot a whale or two. Gansbaai is the true gem and the place we find the most eco and ethical local operator who takes you out for a 2hr boat trip to visit the whales. South africa is one of the best whale watching destinations in the world.
Capetourism has a collection of photos of the whales and great white sharks in. Where to go dolphin and whale watching in cape town 12. Home south africa western cape cape town cape town whale. As a result, south africa offers some of the best land and seabased whale watching in the world. Meet us at wtmafrica in cape town from the 68 of april 2020, we will be in hall 4 stall. The penguin colony at boulders beach in simons town is part of a national park and located. Drive south on westcliff road and park at ficks pool. South africa attracts thousands of visitors each year with africa s big six high on the wish. South africa, believe it or not, has a 900 kilometre long designated whale route which begins on the western capes west coast at doringbaai doring bay and extends to storms river mouth in the tzitzikamma nature reserve on the famed garden route. South africa whale watching tour and african safari zicasso. If you want to experience south africas incredible marine wildlife for yourself, dont hesitate to get in touch.
Not everyone wants to wait around for hours in hopes of catching a glimpse of a whale, and thats when the town of hermanus in western cape comes in handy. Not strictly true, as the cape whale route stretches for over 900 kilometres, from doringbaai on the west coast, all the way to storms river mouth on the garden route. What we encounter we focus the trip on searching and spending time with the whales but your tour can extend in a marine safari with sightings of seals, dolphins and a variety of marine birds including the african penguin. Whale watching, boat trips, tours, transfers and many adventures in hermanus, south africa. Whale watching tours south africa best whale watching in. Set on the edge of the wine route, they are the perfect exclusive getaways from where you can explore cape town and the western cape. The three types of whales that are most often spotted in south africa are the southern right whale, the humpback whale and the bryde whale. The winter season runs from the end of may through to august.