Whale watching in South Africa is regarded as some of the finest globally. From June to November, large groups of Southern Right Whales (Eubalaena australis) arrive along the southern coast of South Africa to mate and give birth. The coastal town of Hermanus in the Western Cape serves as the primary location for this whale activity. Whale watching in Hermanus is an unforgettable experience.
Southern right whale migration in South Africa
During the Austral summer (December to May), southern right whales inhabit the frigid polar regions of the Southern Hemisphere, where they feed on krill.
In winter (early June through November), they travel to the shallow coastal waters of Southern Africa, South America, and Australia. This time frame is ideal for visiting Hermanus, coinciding with peak whale-watching season.
In Hermanus, the male whales arrive in June, soon followed by the females. They will mate during these months in the South African Cape coastal waters. The last Southern right whales to reach South Africa are the pregnant females, and they will be the last to depart, this time accompanied by their calves. Only when the newborns have gained enough strength will they swim back to Antarctic waters for feeding on krill: small, drifting crustaceans.
One of the prime spots to observe southern right whales along the South African coast is the small town of Hermanus, which overlooks the deep waters of Walker Bay. Here, you can sit on the cliffs near the town center and enjoy this magnificent spectacle (considered one of the best land-based whale-watching!) or join a whale watching boat tour to learn about whale behavior.
Observe whales as they court, play, and relax in Walker Bay. You may witness fascinating behaviors such as spy-hopping (raising their head straight up out of the water to survey their surroundings), lobtailing (when they slap the water with their tail), and perhaps even a full breach (when they propel their entire body out of the water!). If fortune smiles upon you, you might even see a whale give birth.
Hermanus could very well be the premier shore-based whale-watching destination on Earth.
If you’re in South Africa during whale season, Hermanus is essential.
This small coastal town is just a one and a half-hour drive from Cape Town, and the journey to Hermanus can conveniently be done as a one or two-day trip from there. The scenic coastal drive is too stunning not to pause, so we suggest making this a two-day trip, stopping along the route to visit beaches, the penguins at Betty’s Bay, and those delightful food trucks along the road beside False Bay that offer fantastic ocean views.
For those with limited time, a day tour from Cape Town is an excellent choice (see below).
Other wildlife you might encounter during your whale-watching adventure
Southern right whales are not the only species of whales you can spot in Hermanus. Humpback and Bryde’s whales can also be found here, along with other local marine life such as common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, Cape Fur seals, and a diverse array of marine birds including the African black oystercatcher and African penguins. You might even see orcas, which have become increasingly common along the South African coast in recent years. Remember to look around the rocky shore for Clawless Cape otters as they search for food among the kelp.
How to differentiate between Southern right whales and humpback whales
Distinguishing these two whale species is relatively straightforward.
Southern right whales have callosities on their backs (the rough, bulging, white patches), a V-shaped blow, and a white underbelly. Additionally, southern right whales lack a dorsal fin.
Humpback whales feature a small dorsal fin along with very long pectoral fins.
Are there any white whales?
YES! Approximately 5% of Southern Right whales are born white! We had the good fortune to observe one of these! These white calves are not albino (unlike the famous Migaloo in Australia), and they darken as they age. This white coloration is referred to as grey morphism, not albinism.
Types of whale watching tours from Hermanus
Most whale watching trips available globally are boat-based since it is generally necessary to venture out into the ocean to find whales. However, in some locations, whales come so close to shore that you can feel the spray from their blowholes while on land! Hermanus is one of these places, which is why whale watching here is truly remarkable.
Consequently, you can participate in either a land-based or boat-based whale-watching tour in Hermanus.
Watching whales in Hermanus (land-based whale watching)
Great news for anyone who experiences seasickness! You can observe whales from land in Hermanus.
Land-based whale watching in South Africa is relatively common. You can see them from False Bay, from