Witness The Mysteries of the Great Whales Up Close on a Whale Watching Trips
At the southern tip of Africa, where two of the world's greatest oceans converge, a total experience of land, sea and the rainbow culture of the Western Cape offer you the most exciting land based whale watching venues in the world!
Each year Southern Right whales migrate into the coastal waters of the Western Cape to calve and nurse their young. The animals, often mere metres from the shore, provide unsurpassed whale watching opportunities between June and November. At this time people descend on False Bay for whale watching trips. Humpbacks migrate through the region between May and December each year, while Bryde's whales are found slightly further offshore all year round. Shore based whale watching trips provide a steady stream of tourists to False Bay towns during the off season.
At least 37 species of whales and dolphins can be found in the waters off South Africa.
However, the area is most famous for encounters with southern right whales, humpback whales, and several coastal dolphin species. You can also see African penguins, Cape fur seals, black oystercatcher birds and a variety of other marine life during a whale watching trip.
Places from which to observe these gentle giants during a whale trip is the Peninsula and into False Bay, Simon’s Town where whales frolick in the protected waters, on to Hermanus, where the Whale Cryer informs on whale sightings and where whales come into the old harbour to calve, then all along the coast to Gansbaai. During peak season for whale watching trips, from June to November, four species are seen along this route, of which Southern Right Whales are the most commonly sighted. There are however also Humpback, Bryde's and Killer Whales frequenting the route. There are estimated to be about 3 000 - 4 000 southern right whales at present, with South Africa receiving the major percentage visiting its coasts annually. Present populations of southern right whales are a fraction of estimated initial stocks.
Schools of up to 500 dolphins make a spectacular sight often be seen at play in the bay, a sighting can be the highlight of a whale watching trip. The most common dolphins found all year are Heaviside's Dolphin, Common Dolphin, Dusky Dolphin and Bottlenose Dolphin.
Experience the thrill of viewing the giants of the deep close up, by taking a boat based whale-watching trip. Trips depart daily from Simon’s Town, Hermanus and Gansbaai. The duration of the trip is approximately 2.5 hours.
Client Testimonials
Hi Karyn,
I can't thank you too much - it was wonderful!
Will recommend you to all my friends.Saw 4 whales, 2 sharks, numerous seals.
Also saw a humpback dolphin.
So thank you so much.
Thank you again and all best wishes from a happy whale/shark/dolphin watcher.
Liz Gibson
(01 September 2011)
