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Every year between the months of June and November the whales visit the Western Cape’s southern coastline.

These remarkable and highly intelligent giants of the seas cause a great stir and are a popular attraction when they migrate thousands of kilometres from Antarctica, where they spend summer feeding, to the sheltered bays of the South African coast to mate and calve.

The Southern Right Whale and less commonly the Bryde’s (pronounced 'broodess') and Humpback Whale, are frequently sighted between Stony Point near  Betty’s Bay and all along the cliff paths of Kleinmond, Onrus, Walker Bay, the De Hoop Nature Reserve and Witsand.

Boat-based Whale watching

Whale watching by boat enables you to experience an up close encounter with Whales and is becoming extremely sought after but the Government issues limited permits for this, to keep this practice non-intrusive to the Whales.

Land-based Whale watching

Land-based Whale watching can be just as exciting as Whale watching by boat, as these fascinating creatures sometimes come very close to shore. Hermanus is definitely the best place for land based Whale watching. De Kelders near Gansbaai also offers fantastic spottings.

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