Whale watching on the Western Cape
Southern right whales visit the Western Cape from about June to December every year. These beautiful gentle giants congregate to the shores of Hermanus all the way along the coast line towards Plettenberg Bay.
Area
Cape Town & the Western Cape
Type
Active
Wildlife & Nature
Grade
Standard
Who
Adults
Teens
Young Kids
Difficulty
Moderate
Duration
Half Day
South Africa has got to be one of the most incredible destinations in the world for watching marine mammals with spectacular annual visits from southern right and humpback whales and enormous pods of dolphins year-round.
In early June, southern right whales leave their Antarctic feeding ground to frolic in the warmer waters of the Western coast. Here they mate, calve and generally hang out, occasionally flopping a tail up, or sticking their heads out of the water, much to the delight of onlookers. They are a true marvel to behold!
Recommended Hotels Nearby
A selection of luxury hotel options in the area, handpicked and recommended by our travel specialists.
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View AccommodationKensington Place
Cape Town's definitive boutique hotel, set on the lower slopes of Table Mountain, successfully combines European style with a dash of African flair and comprises nine individually decorated rooms.
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View AccommodationEllerman Villa One
Ellerman Villa One in Bantry Bay, offers a self-contained home of exceptional exclusivity and unrivalled privacy just 20 minutes from the centre of Cape Town. Stylish and chic, the villa is effortlessly comfortable with a modern minimalist design.
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View AccommodationEmily Moon
Emily Moon has eight luxury rooms, all with fabulous views over the sweeping river valley and wetlands. It is a small, intimate lodge set in a beautiful location and a wonderful place to base yourself to explore the area, just outside Plettenburg Bay.
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View AccommodationMosaic Private Sanctuary
Mosaic Lagoon Lodge is a peaceful retreat set amongst the natural setting of Walker Bay and the Overberg on the Mosaic Private Sanctuary reserve, offering a great introduction to the botanical splendours of the Cape floral kingdom.
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View AccommodationMont Rochelle
Mont Rochelle is a luxury wine estate hotel in the Cape Winelands and is part of the Richard Branson Virgin portfolio. This is a fantastic luxurious boutique hotel set on a wine farm offering some of the best views in Franschhoek.
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View AccommodationMorukuru Ocean House
Morukuru Ocean House is a four bedroom private house situated in the De Hoop Nature Reserve which is often cited to be one of the most beautiful costal reserves in South Africa. It is the perfect spot for anyone seeking an exclusive and unique holiday.
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View AccommodationMount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel
Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel is an elegant hotel with 197 rooms and suites and is situated within a sprawling lush garden estate in the heart of Cape Town. The hotel is fantastically located to explore the attractions in and around Cape Town.
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View AccommodationTwelve Apostles Hotel
The luxurious Twelve Apostles Hotel is located within The Table Mountain National Park and fronted by a Marine Sanctuary with frequent sightings of whales, dolphins and seals. All this and just 10-minutes from the bustling heart of Cape Town.
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View AccommodationOne&Only Cape Town
The One&Only Cape Town is the largest luxury hotel in Cape Town, offering chic water-side accommodation in 78 rooms and 53 suites. The hotel is fabulously located at the heart of the Victoria and Alfred waterfront.
More Experiences in This Area
Discover more things to do in the area and chat to our specialists about crafting these experiences into your tailor-made holiday.
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View ExperienceCape Point Peninsula Tour
Your driver will collect you and drive you down the west coast of the Cape Peninsula. He will introduce you to the geography and cultural history, culminating at the Cape itself. You will drive back via Boulders Beach to see the penguins.
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View ExperienceWoodstock, Bo-Kaap & Bree for the Foodie
From artisan coffee and craft beer to traditional food, chocolate and cheese, taste your way around the city as you explore the backstreets and secrets alleys where the locals like to go.
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View ExperienceCape Peninsula - Family
This guided day out is perfect for the whole family with treasure hunts in Kirstenbosch Gardens, fishing in Kalk Bay, stand up paddle boarding with penguins and game viewing in the Cape peninsula reserve.
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View ExperienceCape Peninsula - Active
Explore the Cape Peninsular with its local fishing villages and surfing beaches. Snorkel or stand up paddle board in rock pools near penguin colonies before venturing deep into the Peninsula reserve to discover the rich wildlife inhabiting this area.
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View ExperienceDinner at The Greenhouse
Peter Tempelhoff, executive chef at The Greenhouse, stays on the cutting-edge of South African cuisine with ever-changing seasonal menus, showcasing contemporary cooking techniques and culinary styles.
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View ExperienceDinner at Twelve Apostles Hotel
Enjoy a delightful dinner on the stunning terrace overlooking the picturesque Cape Town sunset over the ocean.
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View ExperienceRock Girl tour of Cape Town
What better way to see a city than through the eyes of a Rock Girl - a young local lady who has grown up on the perimeter of this great city.
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View ExperienceLunch & Cellar Tour at Durbanville Hills
A scenic route leads you to Durbanville Hills for a tour of their cellar and lunch at their open restaurant.
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View ExperienceUthando
Uthando South Africa is an award winning, international and innovative Non Profit and Fair Trade certified organisation which raises funds for community development projects in Cape Town and South Africa.
Call us on 020 8682 5068 to start planning