Whale watching is one of the major attractions of the Western Capes. The peak time, when daily sightings are virtually guaranteed, is during September and October. Humpbacks and Bryde’s whales are mostly spotted offshore from boats, but by far the most commonly sighted species, either from land or from boat, is the Southern Right whale.

These majestic giants migrate to the South African waters from the Antarctic Ocean to calf from June, and begin the long journey back again at the end of November or beginning of December.

Hermanus offers some of the best whale watching spots and trips, and can easily be combined with a stay in Cape Town.

Because the whale watching boat trips tend to leave at first tide, we always recommend staying in Hermanus at least for the night before your trip, and you can now take advantage of this new special offer :

Stay 3 nights at either the Bay Hotel or Camps Bay Retreat, and receive one free night at the Harbour House Hotel in Hermanus.

Valid: 29 July 2011 – 30 September 2011.

Whale watching is one of the major attractions of the Western Cape, and Hermanus and Gansbaai are the 2 main areas for whale watching, either boat-based or land-based.

The first Southern Right whale has been spotted in Walker Bay at Hermanus, so this is now officially the start of the whale watching season !

Having been whale watching myself at Hermanus, I would definately recommend including this in your itinerary if you are in this area. I would also recommend actually staying in Hermanus for at least one or 2 nights if time permits, especially if you want to go out on a boat. The boats tend to leave early in the morning, as they go out with first tides, so this would mean a VERY early start from Cape Town (around the 5.30 am time) to ensure you arrive in time – and let’s be honest, unless you are on safari do you really want to get up that early ??

You can read more about whale watching in Hermanus, and check out the hotels and guest houses that we recommend by clicking here.

We also recommend Dyer Island Cruises or Southern Right Charters if you are looking for an operator to go out with.

Whale watching is one of the major attractions of the Western Cape. Humpbacks and Bryde’s whales are mostly spotted offshore from boats, but by far the most commonly sighted species, either from land or from boat, is the Southern Right whale.

These majestic giants migrate to the South African waters from the Antarctic Ocean to calf from June, and begin the long journey back again at the end of November or beginning of December.

For families thinking of coming to South Africa from now until the end of September, and who want to see these wonderful creatures first hand, why not take advantage of this special offer that we are currently running at Milkwood Lodge in Hermanus :

Children stay Free

We recently had a presentation from the owner of Grootbos, and I have to say, what a simply stunning property.

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is spectacularly situated on the fynbos and forest clad hills overlooking the whale-watching haven of Walker Bay. Guests here stay in absolute comfort in either the Forest Lodge, or families are welcome at the Garden Lodge, and everyone has a wide range of activities that they can choose to enjoy during a 2 or 3 night stay here – including horse back riding, nature drives and walks, whale watching, shark cage diving, helicopter flips, and bird watching.

We are also very pleased to announce that from 7th January through to 15th April 2011, anyone who books to stay here with Travel Butlers can also take advantage of the Stay for 3 Nights and Only Pay for 2 that we are offering over this period.

Contact us today to check availability and make a booking here.

Stay 4 nights in a Superior Sea-Facing Room at the luxurious 5* Twelve Apostles and Spa, and receive one complimentary night at the superb Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve.

The luxurious 5* Twelve Apostles Hotel lies poised above Atlantic rollers and flanked by the majestic Table Mountain and her Twelve Apostles mountain range.

Whales are regular visitors to this particular stretch of coastline between June and October, so a 4 night stay here gives you ample opportunity to see these magnificent creatures – even from your own bedroom !

The Madikwe Game Reserve is home to a wide range of African wildlife to flourish – including the Big Five, cheetah and a thriving population of endangered wild dog, as well as gemsbok, springbok, zebra and giraffe, and over 340 species of birds. Madikwe Hills is set on a hill amongst huge boulders and age old tamboti trees, overlooking the endless bushveld of the reserve.

You will be accommodated in ultra-luxurious glass fronted suites designed for complete relaxation and comfort.

Click here to read more about this Special Offer and to book with Travel Butlers !

It’s whale-watching season in South Africa!

Every year, around September, Southern Right whales gather along South Africa’s coast to mate and thousands of tourists flock to watch them.

South Africa’s whale route stretches for nearly 2,000 km from Doringbaai, south of Cape Town, to Durban. Popular viewing spots include Lambert’s Bay, the Cape Peninsula, False Bay, Hermanus and its surrounds, Mossel Bay, Wilderness, Sedgefield, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.

Tourists can also visit coastal nature reserves, such as the De Hoop Nature Reserve and Tsitsikamma National Park.

Humpback whales also make an appearance around this time of year, joined by Bottlenose dolphins, and occasionally, Brydes whales and Orcas.

Whale-watching season ends in November.

 Our partners in Hermanus and Gansbaai are delight to confirm that the slightly earlier than normal arrival of whales into the bay has meant they are able to start their boat based whale watching trips this week.

The area is world renowned as one of the best places anywhere to see the the Southern Right Whale, and with an early start to the season more visitors will have the chance to join one of the very interesting, exciting, and educational boat trips run by Dyer Island Cruises and Marine Dynamics.

The area is also well known for it’s excellent sightings of Great White Sharks, and was recently named as the number one place in the world to go cage diving with sharks by the Rough Guide TV series.

Whilst it is possible to do the trips as a day trip from Cape Town, it really is well worth adding a couple of nights in Hermanus or Gaansbaai to your South African Holiday for guests looking to make the most of the exceptional wildlife experience on offer in this area.

Our recommended operators for whale watching and shark cage diving in the Hermanus area are Dyer Island Cruises & Marine Dynamics, who have just received certification from Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA).

Dyer Island Cruises focuses on offering clients personal experiences with whales and dolphins around the Dyer Island region in the Western Cape while Marine Dynamics specialises in shark-cage diving. 

Marine Dynamics is the first shark-cage diving initiative to be certified by FTTSA.