Every year between July and November, thousands of humpback and southern right whales swap Antarctica for the Western Cape’s warm-water bays and inlets in the name of mating and calving. It’s essentially the cetacean version of Spring Break.
These gentle giants will often come within 50 metres of the shore and are given to displays of breaching, spyhopping (when they rise out of the water and hold a vertical position) and other courtship rituals.
Around Cape Town and Hermanus, the whale-watching cruise hub is Gansbaai, with humpback and Bryde’s whale sightings likely to be accompanied by those of dolphins, African penguins, giant petrels, seals and great white sharks on the prowl.
Alternatively, boat trips are available along the Garden Route in Knysna, with migrating humpback and Southern right whales the target. The guided tours are typically 1 ½ to 2 hours long and depart four times daily.
The Best of South Africa Travel map displays the locations of the destinations and accommodation that we have selected and visited; for each item, hovering over or clicking the marker will display a short summary and photo of that place or hotel, and hotel pricing. Follow the links in the info box to the full page listing which has much more information.
Note that the online map offers both a satellite view (click satellite in the top right) and, for some locations, a street level view (Drag the person in the top left onto the map). These let you explore the country; and when you wish to explore in person, or if you have any questions about the places you see, give our staff a call, or request a quote. Our staff regularly visit the places and accommodation that we feature.
When you book a holiday with us we will provide full driving instructions for reaching your accommodation, where necessary; these can be used by yourself, or you could enjoy the luxury of a driver. Alternatively we will arrange private (car rather than coach) transfers for you; helicopter transfers are also possible for some destinations.
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