Which types of whales can I see in Cape Town?

Southern right whales are the most common, but humpback and Bryde whales can also be seen.

What’s a southern right whale and when can I see one?

Southern right whales can be distinguished by the callosities (rough patches of skin covered in barnacles) on their heads as well as their long arching mouths and double blowhole. They average 15m in length and can weigh up to 60 tonnes. The whales migrate annually from Antarctica to the coast around Cape Town to calve their offspring. Southern right whales usually arrive in June and stay until November.

What’s a humpback whale and when can I see one?

Humpback whales, with their obvious humps, knobbly heads, and long pectoral fins, can be seen in Cape waters during their migration from the polar regions to Mozambique and Madagascar where they breed and give birth. They’re very friendly species, and can be seen interacting with southern right whales and bottlenose dolphins. You are most likely to catch a glimpse of them between May and November.

What’s a Bryde whale and when can I see one?

Although they are the only species of whale that is present in South African waters all year round, Bryde’s whales can be hard to spot because they like to dive for long periods of time before resurfacing only briefly. You are most likely to see them between the West Coast and Port Elizabeth. Look out for a large, sleek, dark grey body with white on the underside, and three ridges near the blowhole.

What are the best places for whale watching?

False Bay is the best place close to Cape Town for whale watching. Opt for the higher vantage points along the False Bay coastline such as Cape Point, Boyes Drive between St James and Kalk Bay, and Clarence Drive between Gordon’s Bay and Rooi Els. During the whale-watching season, you might even be lucky enough to spot them close up if you take the train trip from Muizenberg to Simon’s Town.

Hermanus is rated as one of the top 12 whale-watching locations in the world by the World Wildlife Fund because the whales often come within metres of the shoreline. There are viewing terraces at the Old Harbour and Gearings Point. During the whale watching season, a Whale Crier alerts watchers to the presence of whales by blowing on a kelp horn.

Cape Agulhus is another popular whale watching area. Up to 50 pairs of southern right cows and calves have been known to swim here.

Whale Watching in Cape Town