Have you been watching the BBC series Ocean Giants? We at Real Africa have been glued to the screen since it started!
Seeing a whale up close and personal is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that most people only ever dream of. However in South Africa you get the chance to do just that. Over our summer months of June through to November Southern Right whales migrate from their feeding grounds off Antarctica to warmer waters including South Africa. By the time they reach South Africa and the Western Cape in particular they are entering their breeding season with displays of mating, calving and rearing their young. This awesome natural spectacle is truly a sight not to be missed.
The main calving season is July and August, but whales can be seen throughout September and October so if you have been hankering for some whale watching then now is the time to go!
Prime whale-watching coastline extends from south of Cape Town, all the way east as far as Durban. They can be viewed the land for those not keen on boat trips but the best way to see them is by boat for a truly close encounter.
In Cape Town, you can see them from the road from False Bay, and from the cliffs.
On the west coast of the Cape you can catch sight of these magnificent creatures from pretty much anywhere. Cape Agulhas the most southerly tip of South Africa is another place worth visiting as it’s a favourite destination with mothers and their calves. Sometimes up to 50 pairs can be seen at one time.
But the place that most people head to is the lovely town of Hermanus in Walker Bay which is on the southern coast of the Cape. Here you can enjoy some of the best land-based whale watching in the world. In fact Hermanus has a whale-watching festival every September to share in the magic of this natural spectacle.
If you are planning a trip further along the Garden Route then Plettenberg Bay is an absolute must. Southern Rights whales visit Plettenburg Bay from about June to November, and you can also catch a glimpse of humpback whales migrating past in May and June and then, on their return trip, from about November to January. Plett, as it’s known by the locals, is also a fantastic destination for those interested in other cetaceans such as orca whales and Bryde’s whales and the very prolific dolphins which are permanent residents here. You can go dolphin or whale watching easily in Plettenberg Bay as there are a huge variety of boat trips on offer, even down to sea-kayaks for that truly close up encounter. Don’t be concerned though as the town is extremely careful to ensure that these trips are carefully monitored to ensure they do not interfere with the animals in anyway.
Further east there are still various excellent vantage points to see humpbacks, Bryde’s, minke and killer whales and quite often southern rights, especially in Algoa Bay, while sperm and beaked whales approach close to shore off Port St Johns.
