Whale Watching Hermanus, Whale Viewing South Africa in and around Western Cape

The Southern Right Whale ... primary species for whale viewing in South Africa

These whales are rich in blubber and have 2 blowholes. The eyes are very small and lips are large. Right whales were named by whalers who considered them the "right" whales to hunt, since they were rich in blubber, they were easy to catch (they are relatively slow swimmers) and they floated after being killed. There is also a Northern right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) but it is almost extinct.

There are estimated to be about 3 000 - 5 000 southern right whales at present, and South Africa has a large percentage visiting mainly Cape coasts annually. The southern right whale is distributed widely between latitudes 30 and 55 south

Whale Viewing Time In South Africa

The whales migrate south during the Cape summer months when supplies of krill are plentiful. They appear in numbers around the South African coastline from May to December and Hermanus is the leading whale watching spot in the country. They are able to be seen from the shore quite easily. The "knobs" around the head are called callosites .. they are not barnacles

The blow from a whale is a cloud of vapour produced largely by condensation when warm breath comes into contact with cooler air just luike you and me when we breathe out in winter. The smell accompanying the blow is caused by mucus from the breathing tract of the whale.

The following is extracted from a pdf report by "Syabona Africa" found in the public domain on Google

Hermanus Whale Watching and Hermanus Whale Viewing Tours & Boats

Hermanus has grown from rustic fishermen's village to being acknowledged by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) as one of the 12 best Whale viewing sites in the world. From its rocky cliffs, Whales can be seen as close as 5 metres (16.4 feet). It is also the only place in the world where one can watch the Whales and, by means of an underwater microphone, hear their calls at the same time.

The Southern Right Whales start arriving in Walker Bay from June and have usually left again by December. Peak Whale season, when sightings are virtually guaranteed on a daily basis, is during September and October. Calving season is in August and September and the Whale population peaks in Walker Bay during October.

Whales are large-brained and sensitive creatures. Strong bonds exist between females and their calves. In normal circumstances they are non-aggressive and gentle towards man.

Breaching:

Breaching is when Whales lift their bodies out of the water in massive graceful leaps. Keep watching as they usually breach 3 5 times a session. Whales can push 3 quarters or more of their bodies out of the water and fall back into the sea with an enormous splash.

Spyhopping and Lobtailing:

Spyhopping is when Whales lift their heads and part of their bodies out of the water vertically. This gives them a 360 degree view of the world above the water.

Lobtailing is when they slap their tails on the surface producing loud claps. It may be a form of social communication or a warning to rival Whales or Sharks.

Sailing and Grunting:

Sailing is when they lift their tails clear of the water for long periods. This could be means of catching the wind to sail through the water, or as a way of cooling down. Whales often grunt a loud bellowing sound that is carried up to 2km (1.2 miles) away, at night.

Blowing:

Blowing is a hollow, echoing sound made when air is expelled from the lungs through the blowhole, accompanied by a spout of water vapour. The shape of the spout enables watchers to identify the type of Whale.

Whale Watching in Hermanus ... where to view the whales

Where can you see them?

The 12km (7.4 miles) long cliff path stretching from one end of Hermanus to the other provides the best terrestrial Whale watching vantage points in the world. In Hermanus you will find the world's only Whale crier. He patrols the streets of the town blowing his kelp horn and alerting everyone to the whereabouts of the Whales. Different horn codes refer to different spots along the coastline, where Whales have been spotted.

Windsor Bay:

Park at Fick's Pool, the wagon wheels or in Marine Drive. In Marine Drive you can view Whales while sitting in your car.

Gearing's Point:

A large gravel area offering views of Walker Bay to the east and west. The fishermen's paths leading to the rocks at the point are excellent vantage spots for

Whale watching. The Old Harbour:

Above the Old Harbour there are old terraces with spectacular vistas across the bay. A telescope is available for a better view of the Dolphins or Whales, and situated alongside is a plaque bearing basic information on the Whales that visit Walker Bay.

Siever's Punt:

This is one of the most rewarding spots for Whale watching. Whales are often seen in the bay between Mossel River and Volklip.

Kwaaiwater:

One of the most popular spots for Whales is Kwaaiwater, where several viewing points are accessible by vehicle.

Volklip and Grotto:

Whales are often found swimming just beyond the breakers at these beaches. While they do not swim in as close to the shore as they do in other areas, Whales are often seen breaching in this area and have even been known to surface under surfers waiting for a wave.