Whale & Dolphin Watching

One of the best places in the world to see whales and dolphins is South Africa. The presence of massive pods of dolphins year-round and yearly visits from the southern right and humpback whales offer fantastic viewing possibilities from both land and water. Early in the 1980s, the government recognized the need to formally control and oversee the boat-based whale and dolphin watching industry, and in 1999 it took action. The industry has developed from sporadic activity to regulated business operations spread across 28 authorized zones that run the length of the coastline and protected bays from Port Nolloth on the west coast to Sodwana Bay on the north.

Southern right and humpback whales can be spotted along the south coast from Cape Town to Mossel Bay every year between June and December. Both species use South African waters for calving and raising their young at this time, therefore it's common to observe them both with calves during this time. The south coast of South Africa is also known as the "whale route" and a whale festival is held there each year since the whales' yearly visits are so predictable and they frequently get so near to the beach.