Whale watching Cape Town is a reality coated in fear and excitement. How impressive or scary could the sight of whales be at close proximity? Well, Cape Town in South Africa treats you to both experiences. Just like the trips to the famed Kruger National Park, watching the southern whales in Cape Town is breathtaking....READ ORIGINAL & FULL CONTENT FROM SOURCE |
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The city’s harbours are home to the southern right whales which you can spot from the scenic cliffs of Hermanus town or at False Bay. They are a natural wonder not shying away from revealing their gigantic size. Cape Town is the most exciting destination in Africa to watch the annual humpback/whale migration.
Is Whale Watching Cape Town Worth it?
Every minute you spend whale watching Cape Town is worth it. You flow with the thrill of the humpbacks in their natural habitat. The annual Cape Town whale migration welcomes visitors from June to November when they occupy the South African coast. They always put up an amazing show with their iconic tail-swing at the shores.
Tourists watching on land at Hermanus or from the sea at False Bay enjoy the breaching display these giants put up. Bryde’s whales come off as more playful that other species. They run the ‘exhibition’ at the shore to the end. They breach, nurse their young ones and lobtail.
whale watching cape town
Hermanus Whale watching in Cape Town. Hermanus is a scenic town with rugged cliffs but vantage viewpoints.
Which Month is Best for Whale Watching in South Africa?
July to November is the best time to embark on whale watching Cape Town. The southern right whales are the most common species found in cape waters. However, humpback whales and Bryde’s whales also join the wagon and swim to the Cape waters every year from Antarctica to calve.
It’s while watching these creatures that you discover southern right whales are the slowest-swimming species of whales. This endangered them decades ago and they were declared a protected species.
This whale species grow up to 15m in length and are characterized by rough patches of skin, head, and long pointed mouths. On average, they weigh about 60 tons.
whale watching cape town
Whale watching in Cape Town, South Africa.
Humpback Whales
In contrast, humpback whales have humps, long fins and knobbly heads. They migrate from polar regions through Mozambique and Madagascar where they give birth between May and November. They are seen interacting with the southern right whales and dolphins in Cape waters.
Bryde’s Whales
Bryde’s whales, often huge, dark grey, on the other hand, are not so common but you will still see them while whale watching Cape Town. They dive for hours and only surface for a short while before diving back again. If you are lucky, you can spot several of them at Port Elizabeth.
Where is the Best Place to See Whales and Dolphins in South Africa?
whale watching cape town
Whale watching at False Bay in Cape Town.
Cape Town’s marvellous False Bay and Hermanus town are the best whale watching spots in South Africa. False Bay is an amazing place to sight whales due to its high vantage point coastline where Cape Point sits. A train ride through Muizenberg to Simon’s Town has good views of these aquatic species.
Waters at the bays are sheltered and calm with an abundance of marine biodiversity offering perfect conditions for breeding and feeding between July and November. Moreover, False Bay’s several viewpoints add zest into whale watching Cape Town. Popular viewpoints include:
Simon’s Town
Cape Point
Hermanus
The World Wildlife Fund rated Hermanus as a great whale-watching spot among the already existing 12 whale watching spots in South Africa due to its topographical features enabling clear viewing of the whales. Hermanus has terraces at Old Harbour and Gearing Point where whales along the shoreline are clearly sighted.
The whale season is revered in Hermanus. It is kicked off by the annual Whale Festival in October. This season brings other activities all aligned with watching these mammals, including a five-day Whale Trail hike along the cliffs, beaches and dunes of Cape Agulhus.
Though they are dangerous, as you would imagine, it is possible to get closer to them through cruise tours in the sea. There is a two-hour cruise tour which leaves Kleinbaai harbour heading to Dyer Island. Whale watching Cape Town not only gives you the sight of the whales but also African penguins and Cape fur seals. The peak season is between July and December.
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