Welcome to some of the best land- and boat-based whale watching in the
world. Each year, Southern Right whales migrate into our coastal waters
to calve and nurse their young. The whales, mere meters from the shore,
provide unsurpassed whale watching opportunities between June and
November. Humpback whales migrate through our region between May and
December. Dolphin species that may be seen in the region include the
common dolphin and the bottlenose dolphin.
De Hoop Nature Reserve - often referred to as the "whale nursery" - have
the highest count of Southern Rights along our coast during the height
of the breeding months (August to end October). St Sebastian Bay has the
largest concentration of Southern Rights on the South African Coast.
The official helicopter count done in October 2000 revealed 34 cow-calf
pairs in the Bay, and 74 off de Hoop. On a good day you can see up to
50. The areas designated for boat-based whale watching has been
carefully selected so as to not interfere with those observing from the
land.
The whales can also be spotted at the old whaling slipway at Stony
Point near Betty's Bay, at Kleinmond, Onrus, De Kelders and don't forget
to drive along the most spectacular coastal Clarence drive route,
especially the area between Rooiels and Gordons Bay. The coastal road
has turn-off places, where you can stop and take some pictures or enjoy a
sundowner while watching a spectacular sunset. The route offers amazing
views over False Bay, right up to Table Mountain and Cape Point
Southern Right Whales (Eubalaena australis)
Southern Right Whales are easily identified by the double or V-shaped
blow, callosity patterns on the head region and the lack of dorsal fin.
Southern Right whales are usually totally black in colour, although
white patches can occur on the back and often on the belly. Their length
is between 12.5 m -15.5 m, weighing between 30 - 60 tonnes.
Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)
Humpback Whales are easily recognized by their long flippers (almost one
third of the body length), blunt dorsal fin and characteristic arching
of the back during surfacing. In contrast to the black upper body
surface, the flippers are white in colour. The blow is 2.5 - 3 m high.
Their length is between 11.5 m and 16 m, weighing about 40 tonnes.
Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis)
Highly distinctive in having a yellow-brown blaze running on the flanks
from the eye to below the dorsal fin. This forms an elongated figure of
eight. Group sizes range from less than 50 to several thousand animals,
particularly during the time of the annual sardine run along the east
coast. Often associated with diving birds, feeding whales and penguins.
They measure up to 2.5 m, weighing up to 175 kg.
Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncates)
The robust body has a dark grey dorsal cape. Light flanks and an even
lighter belly. Group size is highly variable from less than 50
individuals in coastal water. Commonly observed close inshore, surfing
and "porpoising" in and out of breakers. The species is well known due
to its appearance in captivity. Their length is between 2.5 and 3.3 m,
weighing from 200 to 350 kg.
Breaching
Breeching is the most spectacular of whale habits, where the animal will
sometimes thrust its whole body out of the water in massive, graceful
leaps. No one knows for sure why whales breach - communicating with each
other, trying to rid their skin of parasites or just play could be some
of the reasons. They usually breach three to five time in succession.
Spy hopping
Whales sometimes lift their heads vertically above the water and appear
to observe what's happening on the surface. This gives them a 360view of
the world above. Whales are curios by nature and will often spy-hop to
investigate.
Sailing
This is when the tail is raised and kept vertical for long periods. It
is possibly a form of temperature control - blood in the tail flows very
close to the surface of the skin and cools the body when exposed to
wind. It has also been suggested that whales use the wind on the tail
surface to push their bodies through the water.
Lobtailing
Many species of whales have been observed thrashing their tails on the
surface of the water. This behaviour is known as lobtailing and is
probably a signal of some sort - a form of communication or a sign of
alarm or annoyance.
Blowing
The hollow, echoing sound made when air is expelled from the lungs
through the blowhole, accompanied by a spout of water vapor. The shape
of the spout enables whale watchers to identify the type of whale.
Grunting
A loud, bellowing sound that carries up to 2 km away, often heard at night.
Mating
A number of males will attempt to mate with a single female. She may
take evasive action by fleeing into shallower waters or by rolling onto
her back. Mating is a brief activity and each of the males may mate with
the female.
