Whale watching is one of the major attractions of the Western and Eastern 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, Gansbaai, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay and Port Elizabeth offer some of the best whale watching spots and trips. 

Click here to book your accommodation in one of the above mentioned towns, or ask us to plan an itinerary for you including whale watching as part of your trip to South Africa.

Suggested Itineraries

Prices from US$ 1,727 pp*Great Guest Houses and a 4* Safari
12 day itinerary.
Guide price valid for travel in July 2012

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Prices on requestWinter Sun 2012: Great Guest Houses and a 4* Safari
12 day itinerary.

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Prices from US$ 2,226 pp*Cape Town, the Garden Route and a Safari
12 day itinerary.
Guide price valid for travel in July 2012

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*Prices are per person and are based on today's exchange rates. Exchange rates are subject to change and are updated daily.

Prices exclude international flights - ask us if you would like to include these.

Boat-based Whale Watching

Coming close up with a Southern Right whale in its natural habitat is an exhilarating experience, and you certainly get a thrill from boat-based whale watching. 

Whales are generally friendly, curious creatures, and will often surface 5m from the boat - offering an unforgettable close encounter! 

The boats will not go out in stormy or extremely windy weather, so you must always be prepared for a trip to be cancelled in adverse conditions.  It is advisable to phone up the day before to check with your operator whether the weather conditions are looking favourable.

The best time to go out is early morning, as the winds do pick up during the day, and the afternoon rides tend to be much more choppy and rough. 

It is extremely important that you check with your operator the time you should meet, and make sure you are there in time - the boats have to go out at certain tide levels, and quite simply if you miss the tide, then you don't go out! 

What to Bring

The sea can be choppy, and if you suffer from sea-sickness, it is certainly advisable to take some tablets before you set off on your boat adventure.

Most operators will give you waterproofs to wear, but it is always worth checking with your operator first as you don't want to run the risk of being soaked with spray when the boat bounces through a particularly rough wave!

If you have expensive camera equipment, it may also be worth investing in a plastic covering - or even bring along a home-made one!

However, unless you have an extremely steady hand, don't expect to take an award winning photo, as you may be spending most of your time bracing yourself against the movement of the boat.

Instead of hiding behind your camera lens, just enjoy being this close to one of natures gentlest giants, and marvelling at its gracefulness. 

Who to Go With

Boat-based whale watching has, not surprisingly, become extremely popular, and it has become necessary over the past few years to limit the 'tourist intrusion' to avoid undue stress for the whales. 

Only operators holding a registered permit are allowed to approach and remain within 50m of a whale. 

There are only a limited number of permits granted every whaling season throughout the whole of South Africa, and the selected operators that Travel Butlers recommend are all permit holders.

The operators who do not hold a permit are only allowed within 300m of a whale.

However, should the whale decide to approach the boat, it then really doesn't matter whether you have a permit or not! 

Watching Whales from the Land

If your sea-legs really aren't that strong, then watching whales from the shoreline or from the cliff tops is still a fantastic experience.

There are plenty of excellent viewpoints along the recognised whale watching routes, and your guest house or the local Tourist Information Office will be able to advise on the best places to go.

The whales often come extremely close to the shoreline - within one kilometre - so binoculars are not always necessary, though they are a useful thing to have with you so you can get a closer look.

The other advantage is that you will be able to take better pictures, as you will be more steady!

Many of the whale watching routes have interpretative signboards along the way, with useful information about the whales.