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When is the Cape Town whale watching season?The best time for Cape Town whale watching is between May and November. This is when the Southern Right whales come closer inland to calve and raise their young in relative calm before heading back towards Antarctica for (southern) summer months.
I have found that later in the season whale watching 'pickings' are thickest - once those calves have got to the playful stage I suppose! Then it's not uncommon to watch groups of whales delighted to perform a ponderous ballet for you. Whale sightings start as early as April BUT to confirm my "later is better" opinion, the Hermanus Whale Festival is always held at the end of September. This year's dates are 21-29 September 2007. Land-based Cape Town whale watching False Bay is a great place for land-based whale watching, and I have found the road between Fishhoek and Simonstown (near Battery Beach) particularly rewarding. On foot, the walkway south from Fishhoek beach to Sunny Cove is also a great vantage point. Some people swear by Boyes Drive (above Muizenberg/Kalk Bay) but I feel too remote from sea level there! That said, we have had 'chance encounters' with whales just looking down from the Chapman's Peak viewpoints (600m above the sea) - so you can get lucky anywhere! If you're willing to go further afield, Walker Bay in Hermanus (about an hour and half's drive away) is rated in the top 10 land-based whale watching spots on the globe. The low cliffs there form a natural marine amphitheatre in places. And of course one has the advantage of the Hermanus Whale Crier to alert you to the presence of huge visitors!
If you want to combine land-based South Africa whale watching with some healthy exercise, you should consider the Whale Trail. Several of our family members have done it now (including one of the grannies!) and all have come back raving with enthusiasm. It's a 5-day hike, with the option of a porter for your gear so you get to enjoy the walk. Alas, if your children are still as young as ours (4 and 7 at time of writing) this may not be for you - though you could possibly enquire about portage for tots!! Boat-based Cape Town whale watching Here are two great reasons to opt for boat-based whale watching in Cape Town!
My husband and a friend used to have a weekly paddleski-ing outing at Muizenberg. They were minding their own business one pearly dawn when a whale showed up to share their surf! Verbatim quote: "Once I got over being terrified, it was awesome!" I haven't personally gone the boat-based route yet, but when I do, my first choice of operator will be the Simonstown Boat Company. They look small and personal but with a very professional touch. If you're looking for a licensed operator closer to Cape Town, the Waterfront Boat Company looks very promising. Back from Cape Town Whale Watching Home from Cape Town Whale Watching
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