Of the whale species seen in the waters around the cape, southern right whales are the most common. Whale watching in cape town bayview guest house and self. Every year between june and december, southern right and humpback whales can be seen along the south coast from cape town to mossel bay. This includes the likes of wesgro, cape town tourism, overstrand municipality and sa tourism, amongst others. Mar, 2018 between june and october every year they put on a spectacular showcase on the cape whale coast hermanus. Cape town is blessed with being the only place in the world where one could quite possibly see a great white shark and a whale on the same boat. Now that you understand a bit more about the whales, where are the best places to see them during whale season. Heres everything you need to know about whale watching in cape town. Accommodation gordons bay, cape town whale views luxury. Pictures of the killer whales in cape town africa geographic. Scuba divers discovered several dead sevengill sharks inside the table mountain national park marine protected area.
Cape town a metre long whale carcass was towed away from a cape flats beach on wednesday. Combine two of south africas top activities, whalewatching and winetasting, in a single 9hour tour from cape town. These southern right whales were filmed on a whale watching trip with simons town boat company in false bay. This 8 night itinerary offers the best of cape town and the cape whale coast.
Whale watching trips in cape town whale viewing trips. Whale watching in cape town cape town arguably has some of the best whale watching in the world. Dead whale closes popular south african beach amid shark. Hermanus whale watching best close encounters, purpose.
Here are some of our ideas for whale watching between august and november. By clicking on or navigating the site, you agree to our use of cookies. From july to december the pods of whales grace the shores of southern africa. Enjoy a scenic 2hour drive from cape town, explore the natural beauty as we take you to the best whale watching location on the south african coast line. The 120 km transfer from cape town to hermanus takes you on the magnificent coastal route along clarence drive, past rugged mountains and sweeping bays. The most southern tip of africa is monopolised by the three towns of lagulhas. Hermanus whale watching is renowned for the most prolific whale viewing experience in the world. Wedged between the mountain and the sea, the quaint hamlet of hermanus has been rated by the world wildlife fund wwf as one of the twelve best whale watching locations in the world, and it is often regarded as the heart of the whale route. Between june and october every year they put on a spectacular showcase on the cape whale coast hermanus.
The tour offers you the best of both landbased and boatbased whale watching in the western cape. The surroundings are completely unspoilt and the house borders on a nature reserve. A popular holiday destination for tourists and locals alike, hermanus is hailed as offering the best land based whale watching in the world. Capetourism has a collection of photos of the whales and great white sharks in false bay, cape town, south africa. For those with interests other than birdwatching, there is another exciting world to experience in cape town and the rest of south africa.
The best time for watching the southern right whale in south african. Only a two hour drive from cape town, this little town is the heart of the whale route. Sawdn cape town volunteers from nsri headquarters responded to join. Contrary to what many may think, whale watching in cape town can be pursued just around the corner from mother city. Hermanus whale watching near cape town, gansbaai in south africa. Sharks are being attacked by killer whales off cape towns coast.
The animals can be clearly seen from a scenic clifftop walk, and the town holds a whalewatching festival every september. In cape town itself, you can see them from the road along the false bay. Apartment a whale of a time, fish hoek, south africa. Cape town is a good whale viewing location, but there are more spots to be found eastwards, along the southern coastline. Whale watching season in hermanus cape towns unique no. You can download the full, legible version of the infographic as a pdf document for your. Enjoy the beauty of the outer cape as you depart traveling along the national seashore, viewing the beaches, lighthouses and the very tip of cape cod. South africa the best tips for whale watching in south. Though less guaranteed, sightings around cape town are still. The brydes whale was spotted floating in the water at sonwabi beach on tuesday, but by wednesday. From here you will see the ships round the cape of good hope, while famous chapmans peak serves as a picturesque backdrop. Not strictly true, as the cape whale route stretches for over 900 kilometres, from doringbaai on the west coast, all. Best time for landbased whale watching in cape town 2020.
If you happen to find yourself in, or around cape town between june and november, do make sure to look out for whales. A whale of a time in cape town located at 11 echo road. Whale and bird watching what you can expect a typical trip with dyer island cruises. Melkbosstrand, north of cape town, and concerned two. Whale watching in cape town south africa travel news.
Just a 2 hour drive from cape town to the whale capital of the world hermanus, launching from gansbaai. The closest one is false bay, hermanus, and cape agulhus. Cape whale route there are many beautiful areas along the western cape coast from which to watch the whales, each with wonderful accommodation and other facilities. Cape town day tours offer boatbased whale watching trips from cape town, too, which after a scenic drive along false bay, depart from the coastal town of hermanus. The best whalewatching spots in the cape the inside guide. Where to go dolphin and whale watching in cape town 12. The coming of the whales to the western capes southern coastline, also known as the cape whale coast, every year between june and november, not only creates a stir, but brings to our shores a large, intelligent and remarkable giant of the sea and the only mammal to have adapted to life in the open oceans. Dolphin fleet whale watch new englands first and finest. Only three hours out of cape town, explore the beautiful, diverse and fynbosfilled. You can look out for humpback whales in cape town during summer, or, during whale season, you could try a whale watching tour to see southern right whales.
Hermanus is listed among the worlds top whale watching destinations and in late september, they host the annual whale festival. Only a 2 hour drive from cape town transport options are available, dyer island cruises offers our guests the potential to see more marine wildlife in one trip, than anywhere else in the country. Combine two of south africas top activities, whale watching and winetasting, in a single 9hour tour from cape town. Every year, southern right whales make their way to the cape waters. Accommodation gordons bay, cape town whale views luxury bed. Hermanus, the whale capital, was ranked in the top 12 whale watching locations in the world by the world wildlife fund. Also, the numbers of other types of whales there have.
Whale watching and marine big 5 tours in south africa. Not strictly true, as the cape whale route stretches for over 900 kilometres, from doringbaai on the west coast, all the way to storms river mouth on the garden route. This whale watching tour is a full day, guided tour from cape town to hermanus. Every year, between june and december, southern right whales journey to our shores to mate and calve, giving us the aweinspiring opportunity to get up close with them. Travel to hermanus to see right whales off the coast or upgrade your tour with an optional whale watching cruise. But there are other places closer to cape town as well. We have chosen a few of our favourite activities that we believe will give you a wider appreciation and greater enjoyment of south africa. Whale watching on cape cod is the best way to experience the areas unique natural landscape, species diversity and nautical history all in one salttinged outing. Spend some time gazing out to see over walker bay and youre sure to spot a whale or two. Travel to hermanus to see right whales off the coast or upgrade your tour with an optional whalewatching cruise. Heading out to sea will give you a spectacular new perspective on the cape point coastline, and increase your chances of seeing whales. When you book a trip with us, the evening before your tour we will contact you or your accommodation to confirm the time of your tour. Approximately an hour and a half away from cape town is the seaside town of hermanus. Aug 27, 20 these southern right whales were filmed on a whale watching trip with simons town boat company in false bay.
Mostly at cape town, plettenberg bay, gansbaai, simons town and from table mountain national park. In light of the current global health situation with regards to the coronavirus disease covid19 we want to reassure you that we are in contact with key role players on a daily basis. Pair that with the unparalleled surrounding natural beauty of this scenic, special country and you have an unforgettable experience lined up. Heres what you need to know about whale watching in cape town. A 1015 minute drive will take you to the boulders penguin colony in simons town, or 20 minutes to cape point nature reserve from where you could take the scenic drive via scarborough and kommetjie back to fish hoek cape town is about 30 min away with the lovely table mountain cableway and victoria and alfred waterfront as some of the more. There was a big swell on the day, as can be seen from the movement of the boat. Whale watching in the western cape south africa travel news. But where is the best place to see whales, cape town. In cape town, you can see them from the road along the false bay coast, and theyre distinctly visible on the western seaboard if you get high enough. Hermanus is listed among the worlds top whale watching destinations and in. Whale views gordons bay cape town nestling at the foot of the beautiful hottentot holland mountains where they tumble into the sea at gordons bay, whaleviews offers two self catering apartments dolphins leap and dolphins rest. The cape whale route is a 900kilometrelong stretch of coastline that extends from strandfontein near muizenberg to plettenberg bay in the southern cape.
Dolphin fleet whale watch is ranked as one of the top activities for cape cod. This site uses cookies to improve your experience, to enhance site security and to show you personalized advertising. Join us on a wonderful cape town day trip marine safari that takes us to see the mighty southern wright whale. Best place to watch cape town whales false bay simonstown. Cape town whale watching south africa whale watching. The wwf and greenpeace regard whale watching in cape town as one of the top 3 places in the world to get up and personal with whales. This includes the likes of wesgro, cape town tourism, cape winelands and sa tourism, amongst others. A south african beach popular with christmas holidaymakers has been closed until the carcass of a beached whale is removed amid concerns its blood may attract sharks, the city of.
The water between these two spots is known as shark alley, with whale hotspots nearby, as well as pods of dolphins. Interesting activities in and around cape town and south africa. There are several reputable and responsible boat companies in simons town, such as simons town boat company, that take regular whale viewing trips throughout the season. Gansbaai is the true gem and the place we find the most eco and ethical local operator who takes you out for a 2hr boat trip to visit the whales. About an hours drive from cape town is hermanus, which also offers excellent whale watching and a further half an hour east of that is the little town of gansbaai with equally good, arguably better, whale watching.
Capetourism has a collection of photos of the whales and great white sharks in. The coming of the whales to the western cape s southern coastline, also known as the cape whale coast, every year between june and november, not only creates a stir, but brings to our shores a large, intelligent and remarkable giant of the sea and the only mammal to have adapted to life in the open oceans. On arrival on the scene, an adult 10meter humpback whale was found entangled in fishing rope anchored to the seabed. Sometimes they arrive earlier and stay later, with prime whale watching. Thousands of visitors drive to the seaside town to watch them frolic in the ocean, they are playful in nature and everyone is guaranteed a theatrical performance. Further south, the town of hermanus in walker bay on the cape south coast offers possibly the best landbased whalewatching in the world. Jan 15, 2015 on 12 january 2015 we got a report from a friend in simons town that a pod of killer whales orca had just swam past his house moving in the direction of cape point. Last year our team spent three months going to sea almost every day trying to film them for a documentary, but they never appeared. With two oceans and an abundance of natural diversity to explore, seeing whales in cape town is. Hermanus about two hours outside of cape town along the garden route, hermanus is famous for its whale watching. Watch the worlds gentle giants of the deep frolic in waters of walker bay. Get hold of a city pass to enjoy free entry to over 70 cape town attractions, including whale watching.
Hermanus whale watching near cape town, gansbaai in south. Check out march is the offseason, but we can still find brydes whales in the bay. Our custom built whale watching boat launches from the quaint fishing harbour of gansbaai, which is a 35minute scenic drive from hermanus, and a 2hour drive from cape town. An infographic for whale watching in south africa get all. From july to november the southern right whale comes to breed in the bay near this seaside town, an easy and beautiful drive from cape town. This beachfront holiday home in cape town is perfectly situated on the atlantic ocean. With two oceans and an abundance of natural diversity to explore, seeing whales in cape town is surprisingly easy. On 12 january 2015 we got a report from a friend in simons town that a pod of killer whales orca had just swam past his house moving in the direction of cape point. The high cliffs of the western cape provide an ideal vantage point for the seasonal whale watching of southern right whales and the seaside town of hermanus holds its annual whale festival in september in celebration of all things cetacean. Lamberts bay humpback whale assisted in disentanglement. You will also enjoy a wine tasting at bouchard finlayson wine estate. The local whale watching season lasts between midapril and late october, providing you with the most ideal weather for observing the largest mammals on earth. Just a 2 hour drive from cape town to the whale capital of. Whale watching in south africa home brand south africa.
Aug 29, 2017 the western cape is one of the top whale watching destinations of the world rated number two by uks the telegraph, and we are particularly lucky to have some of the best spots not too far off from our capital of cape town where we can witness these glorious creatures amidst their annual migratory patterns. The basis for the suggestion that killer whales in south african waters should be reclassified as vulnerable rather than data deficient is. The western cape is one of the top whale watching destinations of the world rated number two by uks the telegraph, and we are particularly lucky to have some of the best spots not too far off from our capital of cape town where we can witness these glorious creatures amidst their annual migratory patterns. There are three types of whales usually sighted in false bay southern right, humpbacks and brydes. Take this opportunity to go whale watching from one of the best landbased viewing spots in the world, hermanus. Whale watching trips usually include sightings of seals, dolphins, penguins and other seabirds. Cape agulhas may not be as beautiful as the cape peninsula, nor boast quite the. In cape town itself, you can see them from the road along the false bay coast, and. Dyer island crusies also visits the 60,000 strong cape fur seal colony of geyser rock, the great white sharks in the shallows, and the african penguin colony of dyer island so it is much more than just whale watching. Boat based whale watching tour cape town south africa. Best time for whale watching in south africa rhino africa.
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