Whale Watching Holidays
In South Africa
South Africa offers some of the most spectacular, and reliable, locations for whale watching. The coast of South Africa from Cape Town to Durban offers 1,200 miles of exceptional whale watching coastline, with Hermanus acknowedged as the best land based whale watching destination in the world.
The Whale Festival - The Only Enviro Arts Festival In South Africa
Hermanus, South Africa 24-27 September 2010
The Southern Right whale migrates from Antarctica to calve in the sheltered bays of the east coast of southern Africa. From July to November, Walker Bay - about 90 minutes drive east of Cape Town - is one of the world's most spectacular vantage points for whale-watching.
Whales breach, lobtail and engage in courtship rituals - often as close as 50 metres from the shore.
Whale watching in South Africa is from June to November, although it’s not uncommon for whales to be spotted outside this period. They pick some of the most beautiful stretches of the coast for their activities. Some of the best viewing spots include Lamberts Bay on the Cape West Coast, the Cape Peninsula, False Bay, Hermanus, Arniston, Mossel Bay, Wilderness, Sedgefield, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.
The Hermanus Whale Festival is held annually to celebrate the return of the Southern Right whales to the waters of Walker Bay, the magnificent environment and the arrival of spring! Hermanus, known as the best land based whale watching destination in the world, plays host to thousands of visitors who flock to the seaside resort to exhilarate in the unique natural environment, watch whales, revel in music, comedy, cabaret and African rhythms. Whale watching and shark cage diving, bird watching and Fynbos hikes and kayak trips are just some of the adventures available.
The best way to enjoy whale watching in South Africa is to go on a 3 hour whale-watching boat trip. The boats are big, comfortable and moderately dry. Boarding is easy and people in wheelchairs can be accommodated. The prices of these whale watching boat trips can be quite high, as only a few operators have been issued with legal permits to approach these gentle giants, but the chance to get within metres of whales at water-level is simply unforgettable.
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.
Humpbacks migrate through the region between May and December each year, while Bryde's whales are found slightly further offshore all year round.
The Whale Route starts along the south of Cape Town and extends to Durban, 1,200 plus miles of whale watching coastline. The route traverses several famous protected areas, including the Garden Route, Tsitsikamma National Park and the Transkei. At least 37 species of whales and dolphins can be found in the waters off South Africa. However, the Route is most famous for encounters with southern right whales, humpback whales, Bryde's and killer whales on their way to calve at Mossel Bay. The KwaZulu Natal whale season starts on July 1 and continues until November.
Schools of up to five hundred dolphins make a spectacular sight and can often be seen at play in the bay and along the St Blaize hiking trail. The most common dolphins found throughout the year are Heaviside's Dolphin, Common Dolphin, Dusky Dolphin and Bottlenose Dolphin.
Whilst whale watching, you can also see African penguins, Cape fur seals, black oystercatcher birds and a wide variety of other marine life.
The Great Sardine Migration
The Great Sardine Migration starts every year in June when billions of shimmering sardines gather in the cool waters south of Africa before beginning the ‘run' northeast along South Africa's rugged Wild Coast towards the Mozambique Channel. What makes this event truly spectacular is the appearance of the ocean's predators, including dolphins, sharks and birds, who gather to feed on the fish. The run coincides with the annual migration of humpback whales whose breaches are a daily phenomenon easily viewed from the shore.
Fishing is as easy as dipping a bucket into the seething waters, and it is possible to scuba-dive or snorkel too.
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