Whale watching in South Africa is among the greatest on the planet. Between June and November, enormous congregations of Southern Proper Whales (Eubalaena australis) arrive alongside the south coast of South Africa to mate and provides beginning. And the seaside city of Hermanus within the Western Cape is the hotspot for this whale exercise. Whale watching in Hermanus is an expertise you’ll always remember.
Southern proper whale migration in South Africa
Within the Austral summer season (December by way of Might), southern proper whales are within the chilly polar areas of the Southern Hemisphere the place they feed on krill.
In winter (early June by way of November) they go to the shallow coastal waters of Southern Africa, South America, and Australia. That is the very best time to go to Hermanus, throughout peak whale-watching season.
In Hermanus, whale bulls arrive in June, carefully adopted by the females. They’ll mate throughout these months within the South African Cape coastal waters. The final Southern proper whales to reach in South Africa are the pregnant females, they usually’ll be the final to depart, this time with their calves in tow. Solely when the newborns are robust sufficient will they swim again to Antarctic waters, the place they’ll feed on krill: small, free-floating crustaceans.
Among the finest locations to view southern proper whales alongside the South African coast is within the small city of Hermanus, overlooking the deep waters of Walker Bay, the place you possibly can sit on the cliffs alongside the city heart and watch this wonderful spectacle (among the greatest land-based whale-watching!) or be part of a whale watching boat tour the place you’ll find out about whale habits.
Watch whales as they court docket, play, and sit back in Walker Bay. You possibly can see fascinating behaviors like spy-hopping (poking their head straight up out of the water to go searching), lobtailing (after they slap the water with their tail), and perhaps even a full breach (after they launch their complete physique filter of the water!) In case you are extraordinarily fortunate, you might even witness a whale beginning.
Hermanus may be the very best shore-based whale-watching vacation spot on the planet.
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In case you are visiting South Africa throughout whale season, Hermanus is a should.
This small coastal city is barely a one and a half hour drive from Cape City and the journey to Hermanus can simply be executed on a one or two-day journey from there. The coastal drive is just too attractive to not cease so we suggest doing this journey in two days and stopping alongside the way in which to go to seashores, the penguins at Betty’s Bay, and people cute meals vans alongside the highway subsequent to False Bay which have unbelievable ocean views.
For individuals who don’t have a lot time, a day tour from Cape City is a good possibility (see under).
Different wildlife you would possibly see throughout your whale-watching journey
Southern proper whales are usually not the one whale species you possibly can see in Hermanus. Humpback & Bryde’s whales are additionally discovered right here, in addition to different native marine life like frequent dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, Cape Fur seals, and a big number of marine birds together with the African black oystercatcher and African penguins. You could even catch a glimpse of the orcas who’ve turn into extra frequent alongside the South African coast lately. Don’t overlook to scan the rocky shore for Clawless Cape otters as they forage among the many kelp.
How you can inform the distinction between Southern proper whales and humpback whales
It’s fairly simple to inform these two whales aside.
Southern proper whales have callosities on their backs (the tough, bulging, white patches), a V-shaped blow, and a white stomach. And southern proper whales don’t have a dorsal fin.
Humpback whales have a small dorsal fin and really lengthy pectoral fins.
Are there any white whales?
YES! 5% of Southern Proper whales are born white! We have been fortunate sufficient to see one among them! These white calves are usually not albino whales (not like the tremendous well-known Migaloo in Australia), they usually flip darker as they age. This white-colored situation is named gray morphism and never albinism.
Forms of whale watching excursions from Hermanus
A lot of the whale watching journeys provided worldwide are boat-based as you usually should journey out off the coast to search out whales. However in some locations, whales get so near shore which you could even really feel the mist of their blowholes from land! And Hermanus is one among them. For this reason whale watching in Hermanus is so unbelievable.
For that reason, you possibly can go on a land-based whale-watching tour or a boat-based whale-watching tour in Hermanus.
Watching whales in Hermanus (land-based whale watching)
Good news for all of those that get seasick! You possibly can watch whales from land in Hermanus.
Land-based whale watching in South Africa shouldn’t be uncommon. You possibly can see them from False Bay, from De Hoop Nature Reserve, and right here in Hermanus. In Hermanus, whales come near land as they favor Walker Bay to socialize.
There are just a few factors alongside the Hermanus coast which can be prime land-based whale watching websites. The photograph under was taken at Bientang’s Cave Restaurant & Wine Bar. Be sure to convey your binoculars to lunch with you because the beautiful views might include one or two whale splashes!
One of many coolest issues about visiting Hermanus throughout whale season is the Whale Crier. The Whale Crier is a person who alerts folks when whales have been sighted by blowing on a kelp horn alongside the cliff prime.
You possibly can stroll the 7.5-mile clifftop route to identify whales of their pure atmosphere. This isn’t the time to depart your binoculars on the resort! There are instructional indicators alongside the cliff path. For a stunning view of Hermanus Previous Harbour, cease at Gearing’s Level.
You may also stroll to Hermanus New Harbour the place a humpback whale as soon as visited (see video under). That is very uncommon however it reveals how shut humpback whales can get to Hermanus.
You possibly can merely stroll alongside the coast and attempt to spot whales by yourself or you possibly can be part of a land-based whale-watching tour. One tour takes you in an air-conditioned car to five to 7 totally different spots the place you possibly can see whales from land. It additionally features a go to to the Whale Home Museum. You possibly can ebook this Hermanus tour right here.
Whale-watching excursions from Hermanus (boat-based)
As Hermanus is usually thought of the whale-watching capital of South Africa, it’s no shock there are many whale watching tour operators to select from. However keep in mind, whale-watching in Hermanus is common so we suggest you ebook your outing forward of time to keep away from disappointment. Don’t fear, these excursions supply a assure that if there aren’t any whale sightings you could have the selection to rebook freed from cost.
Hermanus whale watchers: Hop on a 36 seater, 15-meter catamaran, wheelchair accessible, kids pleasant, and outfitted with eco-friendly engines that reduce underwater noise. Smooth drinks and water are included within the outing. Comfy seating and an elevated deck permit you to get unobstructed views of the whales. E-book your journey right here.
Southern Proper Charters: “Observing NOT disturbing” is the motto of Southern Proper Charters. Get pleasure from your whale watching journey in consolation from Southern Proper Charters’ purpose-built catamaran, particularly designed to reduce disturbance to marine life. Get pleasure from a snug boat journey with seating indoors and outside, a bar (no alcohol), and fashionable bogs make Southern Proper Charters an amazing alternative. E-book your journey right here on Get Your Information or right here on Viator.
Whale-watching day journeys from Cape City
If you happen to’re visiting Cape City and don’t have time to spend just a few days in Hermanus, you possibly can be part of a whale-watching day journey from Cape City. The journeys out of Cape City are usually 7-8 hours.
This Whale-Watching and winelands tour will take you to Hermanus out of your resort. It features a whale watching journey, a go to to a wine property, and a go to to a wine farm to do some wine tasting and chocolate pairing. In case you have youngsters, they’ll have some grape juice tasting!
This Whale watching, penguins, and wine-tasting tour begins with a resort pickup. From right here, you’ll go to the penguin colony at Betty’s Bay. After this, you’ll drive to Hermanus the place you’ll watch whales from land. In your means again to Cape City you’ll cease at a coastal wine property to take pleasure in some wine tasting.
Subsequent time you go to South Africa, be sure to not miss the whales at Hermanus!
Cristina Garcia
Zoologist and wildlife photographer. She has labored within the subject with jackals, wolves, cheetahs, & leopards. She serves on the Board of Administrators of SEE Turtles, a non-profit sea turtle conservation group.
Learn her posts at Journey For Wildlife and see extra of her work at Actually Wild, & Our Wild Yard.
