Whale watching season in SA: Top spots to witness these ocean giants up close
South Africa’s whale watching season gives you a front-row view of a natural spectacle that feels almost unreal. Here’s where to spot them…
Each year, South Africa offers some of the world’s best land-based whale watching. From June to November, southern right whales leave the icy waters of Antarctica and migrate to the warmer, sheltered bays along the South African coast to mate and give birth.
This breathtaking natural spectacle unfolds right before your eyes, no boat required! Here’s where to find the best whale watching spots in South Africa and what makes each one unique…
1. Hermanus: The whale watching capital
Location: 1.5 hours from Cape Town
Best time to go: August to October
Hermanus holds the title as South Africa’s—and possibly the world’s most famous whale-watching town. Its 12-kilometre clifftop paths run along Walker Bay, giving visitors clear views of southern right whales just metres from the shore. A “whale crier” roams the town, blowing a kelp horn to signal when whales appear. During peak season, local operators also run daily boat tours for those seeking an even closer experience.
2. De Hoop Nature Reserve: Wild and unspoiled
Location: About 3 hours from Cape Town
Best time to go: July to November
De Hoop is a remote, protected marine reserve with virtually no crowds and uninterrupted views of the bay. This area serves as one of the most important nurseries for southern right whales. From the dunes and cliffs, visitors can watch dozens of whales and their calves resting and playing in the shallow waters below.
3. South Africa’s Gansbaai: Adventure meets wildlife
Location: Western Cape, near Hermanus
Best time to go: June to November
Gansbaai is best known for great white shark cage diving, but it’s also a great whale watching hub. Boat tours take you right into the Dyer Island system, where southern rights often come close to the shore and mingle with dolphins, seals, and seabirds.
4. False Bay and Cape Town’s Southern Peninsula
Location: Near Cape Town
Best time to go: July to October
From the shores of Muizenberg, Fish Hoek, or Simon’s Town, just a short drive from Cape Town, you can sometimes spot whales. Pair your whale watching with a trip to Boulders Beach to see the penguin colony or take a scenic drive along Chapman’s Peak for breathtaking coastal views.
5. Garden Route: Scenic drive, whale watching bonus
Location: Stretching from Mossel Bay to Storms River
Best time to go: June to November
The Garden Route’s dramatic coastline, from Knysna to Plettenberg Bay, offers excellent whale watching from both land and sea. Mossel Bay marks one of the first points where migrating whales arrive, and Plettenberg Bay is known for regular sightings of humpback and Bryde’s whales in addition to southern right.
Some tips for whale watching:
- Bring binoculars: Many whales come close to shore, but a pair of binoculars will bring the detail to life.
- Look for “blows”: A whale’s exhale looks like a puff of smoke on the horizon – your first clue that one is nearby.
- Stay still and be patient: These creatures are enormous but gentle and slow-moving. Give them time.
- Respect boundaries: Keep a safe distance and avoid disturbing them, whether on foot, by car, or by boat.