Sound the alarm – the whales are in town! And we’ve got the ultimate guide to whale watching in South Africa. We love our gentle ocean giants, and seeing them in our vast ocean, splashing, breaching, and just being their beautiful selves makes our hearts sing. Here’s the lowdown on where you need to go to see the whales in their full glory.
When to See the Whales in South Africa
The whales make their annual debut around July and depart again in November, so make sure you add it to your calendar!
The absolutely best time to visit South Africa to ensure you get a glimpse of their spectacular splashy show is between August and October.
And, yes, there is actually an alarm, or rather a horn, that sounds in the popular whale watching town of Hermanus to announce the whales’ arrival. So, listen out for the Hermanus Whale Crier’s kelp horn to increase your chances of seeing them!
The Best Whale Watching Spots in South Africa
The bigger, the better, right? And what’s bigger and bolder than the beloved whale? A whale of a time awaits in South Africa, honey! Here’s where to go.
Hermanus: The Home of Whale Watching
In Africa’s southernmost region east of Cape Town, you’ll find the charming little town of Hermanus on the Whale Route. This town is famous for offering the best land-based whale watching in the world, which is perfect if you get a bit queasy at the thought of leaving the shore for a boat trip! Although that’s also entirely possible.
You might love all the thrills and don’t mind getting a little wet and wild, but when it comes to resting your head on your pillow, you want all the frills! Our luxury accommodation recommendations include The Marine, Birkenhead House, 138 Marine Beachfront, One Marine Drive Boutique Hotel, Mosaic Lagoon Lodge, and Grootbos Luxury Private Villas.
Chapman's Peak Drive: The Easy Day Trip Destination
Another great option to do whale watching is Hout Bay. And because it's so close to Cape Town, you can stay in the city and make a day trip to see the whales. Follow the winding coastal drive along Chapman's Peak, where you'll have the best vantage point of these creatures. And don't forget about False Bay with Simon's Town, Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek offering excellent ocean views.
There are plenty of great accommodation options in Cape Town, but we especially adore Ellerman House, One&Only Cape Town, and The Silo Hotel.
De Hoop Nature Reserve: Connect with Nature
Want something a little bit more secluded and exclusive? Then De Hoop Nature Reserve is for you. One of the most important nurseries for whales, you can rest assured you'll have unbelievable sightings!
We love staying at Lekkerwater Beach Lodge and Morukuru Beach Lodge for a front-row seat and serene seaside seclusion.
Plettenberg Bay: Chilled and Charming Getaway
Located on the Garden Route, Plettenberg Bay, fondly called "Plett" by locals, also offers great whale watching. Head to Robberg Nature Reserve in particular to see them.
We personally love staying at The Plettenberg Bay Hotel, overlooking the ocean. You'll find the sunsets and sunrises are simply divine from this hotel!
St. Lucia: Wilderness Abound
If you want to go to KwaZulu-Natal, you can easily combine your whale watching expedition with a safari. In fact, all of the above can be paired with a safari! The whales go to St Lucia's Indian Ocean for warmer waters, so you can expect to see many humpback whales during their season.
Accommodation like Makakatana Bay Lodge is great as it offers plenty of ocean adventures, of course including land- and boat-based whale watching.
Where The Wild Whales Are
Ready to come and see these playful giants in action? Our LGBTQ+ Travel Experts know exactly when and where (and more importantly, how) to get you front-row seats. And because your tour will be entirely tailor-made from scratch, you can be as demanding as you'd like! Yes, please. Share all your wildest fantasies, and we'll make them come true.
Contact us today, and let's start planning your fabulous holiday!
