Whale Watching in South Africa
Whale watching in South Africa is popular in Hermanus, Mossel Bay and the KZN coast from July to November. Whales, dolphins and porpoises are collectively known as cetaceans and there are about 90 species; from the biggest, the blue whale to the tiny vaquita and New Zealand dolphin. They are all mammals. So, they breathe air, have hair, are warm-blooded, give birth to live young and feed their young milk. The southern right whale is most common around Cape Town with the humpback whale further eastwards to the KZN coastline past Durban and Mozambique.
Watch the Southern Right Whale in its natural habitat in Hermanus
One and a half hours south-east of Cape Town is Hermanus, arguably one of the best land-based whale watching spots! These gentle giants are clearly visible from the scenic ‘cliff-top walk’ in Hermanus and the town holds a whale watching festival every September. In whale season, July to November, whales and their young get very close to the shoreline.
This Cape whale watching tour takes you to Hermanus to encounter mostly the Southern Right Whale that breed and rear their young here. Afterwards, we return via the very scenic coastal route of Betty’s Bay, Gordon’s Bay and Somerset West. If time permits your route will also take you further to a tantalizing wine estate visit. We taste some wine at either Bouchard Finlayson or Hamilton Russell. Afterwards, we return to Cape Town.
NOTE: Other tours that include whale watching and some whale stories.
Cape Peninsula Day Tour (Code: SCCK) – Cape Town to Cape Town
4 Day Garden Route Tour (Code: SCCD) – Cape Town to Port Elizabeth – OR – The same tour from Port Elizabeth (Code: SCCE)