Whale watching in South Africa ranks among the finest in the world. From June to November, large groups of Southern Right Whales (Eubalaena australis) journey to the south coast of South Africa to mate and give birth. The coastal town of Hermanus in the Western Cape serves as the central hub for this whale activity. Experiencing whale watching in Hermanus is something you’ll always remember.
Southern right whale migration in South Africa
During the Austral summer (December to May), southern right whales are found in the frigid polar regions of the Southern Hemisphere where they feast on krill.
In the winter months (early June to November), they make their way to the shallow coastal waters of Southern Africa, South America, and Australia. This is the ideal period to explore Hermanus, coinciding with the peak whale-watching season.
In Hermanus, male whales begin arriving in June, soon followed by the females. They will mate during these months within the coastal waters of the South African Cape. The last to reach South Africa are the pregnant females, and they’ll be the last to depart, this time accompanied by their calves. Only when the newborns gain enough strength will they swim back to Antarctic waters, where they continue to feed on krill: tiny, free-floating crustaceans.
One of the prime spots to observe southern right whales along the South African coastline is in the quaint town of Hermanus, overlooking the expansive waters of Walker Bay. You can either relax on the cliffs near the town center and witness this breathtaking sight (some of the finest land-based whale watching!) or participate in a whale watching boat tour to learn more about whale behavior.
Observe whales as they court, frolic, and relax in Walker Bay. You might see fascinating behaviors such as spy-hopping (when they raise their heads straight out of the water to look around), lobtailing (slapping the water with their tails), and possibly even a full breach (when they propel their entire bodies out of the water!) With a stroke of luck, you might even witness a whale giving birth.
Hermanus could arguably be the top shore-based whale-watching location in the world.
If you’re in South Africa during whale season, a visit to Hermanus is essential.
This charming coastal town is just an hour and a half drive from Cape Town, and visiting Hermanus can easily be accomplished on a one or two-day trip from there. The coastal route is simply stunning, making it worthwhile to stop, so we suggest doing this journey over two days and taking breaks to explore beaches, the penguins at Betty’s Bay, and the delightful food trucks along the False Bay road that provide amazing ocean views.
For those with limited time, a day trip from Cape Town is a superb option (refer to the details below).
Other wildlife you might encounter during your whale-watching adventure
Southern right whales aren’t the only whale species visible in Hermanus. Humpback and Bryde’s whales can also be seen here, along with other local marine life such as common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, Cape Fur seals, and a diverse range of marine birds, including the African black oystercatcher and African penguins. You may even spot orcas, which have become more prevalent along the South African coast in recent years. Be sure to check the rocky shores for Clawless Cape otters as they search for food in the kelp.
How to differentiate between Southern right whales and humpback whales
Distinguishing these two whale species is fairly straightforward.
Southern right whales display callosities on their backs (the rough, raised, white patches), a V-shaped blow, and a white underbelly. Additionally, southern right whales lack a dorsal fin.
Humpback whales possess a small dorsal fin and elongated pectoral fins.
Are there any white whales?
YES! 5% of Southern Right whales are born white! We were fortunate enough to see one! These white calves are not albino (in contrast to the well-known Migaloo in Australia), and they darken as they age. This white color variation is referred to as grey morphism, not albinism.
Types of whale watching tours from Hermanus
Most whale watching excursions available globally are boat-based, as it’s usually necessary to head out to sea to find whales. However, in certain locations, whales come so close to shore that you can even feel the spray from their blowholes from land! Hermanus is one such location, which is part of what makes whale watching here so exceptional.
Due to this reason, you can opt for either a land-based whale-watching tour or a boat-based whale-watching tour in Hermanus.
Watching whales in Hermanus (land-based whale watching)
Great news for those prone to seasickness! You can spot whales from land in Hermanus.
Land-based whale watching in South Africa is fairly common. You can see them from False Bay, from