With more than 37 species of whales and dolphins calling South Africa’s ocean waters home during season, whale watching has become a highly sought after attraction in the Western Cape’s Overberg region. Known as the gentle giants of the sea, spotting these majestic mammals in their natural habitat is an amazing experience that will stay with you forever. Overberg’s whale watching season falls between June and November, though some whales arrive earlier or leave later.
Popular areas for whale watching in the Overberg region include towns like Hermanus, Gansbaai, Stanford and De Kelders. Species of whale to keep an eye out for in the Overberg during whale watching season include Bryde’s Whales, Orca and Minke Whales. Boat based, land based or aerial whale watching are all options to consider, while tour guides usually provide insight and can point out sightings and useful tips.
Humpback Whales tend to arrive earlier than other breeds (around May), often performing show stopping breaches (jumping out of the water) and known for their playful and curious nature. Southern Right Whales are considered the most commonly spotted whale in the Western Cape and can be observed between the months of June and December. Southern Right Whales frequent the ocean waters of Hermanus, where they choose the bays of the Cape coast for breeding and giving birth.
Book a Southern Right Charters Whale Watching experience in Hermanus for a remarkable experience! Also forming part of the Overberg region, Dyer Island Cruises in Gansbaai offers guests a Whale Watching Self Drive or Whale Watching with Chauffeur driven cruises on a spacious boat that has been specifically designed for whale watching.
Be sure to bring your camera and binoculars along, stay as quiet as possible and try to schedule your whale watching excursion for early mornings or clear days, where there is less wind (windy conditions are not ideal for whale watching). Popular whale behaviours to be observed include breaching, blowing (when air is expelled through the whale’s blowhole), spy hopping (when the whale lifts its head, body and flippers vertically to check out above water activity) and lobtailing (when the whale communicates or seeks attention by slapping its tail or fluke on the water loudly).
Whale Watching in the Overberg
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