Top Whale Watching spots

Cape Point Route spotted our first whale of the season on the 23 June 2010, but the Southern Right Whales are starting to appear more regularly and in greater numbers. This morning there was a huge pod of dolphins swimming from Fish Hoek southwards to Cape Point. What an amazing place we live in! I just love this time of year – the waters of False Bay are calm

There is a regional Whale Spotting and General Information Line: 079 391 2105 and they publish a weekly sightings log. Please call if you see a whale!

Since the 1 May 2010 there have been 136 sightings (not whales as often there is more than one whale hanging out). You can check out the most updated sightings here

Cape Point Route’s Top 10 Whale Watching Sites: (these are land based!)

1. Boyes Drive – gorgeous scenic mountain pass between Muizenberg and Kalk Bay.
2. Kalk Bay –. Hot tip: Walk the Muizenberg – St James walkway along the coastline
3. Clovelly – at the northern side of Fish Hoek Bay – either from the beach or the mountainside.
4. Jager’s walk – Fish Hoek – undulating coastal path between Fish Hoek Beach and Sunny Cove.
5. Sunny Cove – Fish Hoek
6. Glencairn Beach - Hot tip: have a meal on the deck of Southern Right Hotel to watch the whales.
7. Boulders – Smitzwinkelbaai - Simon's Town (including Froggy Pond and Murdoch Valley). Hot tip: stay at Boulders Beach Lodge or Whale View Manor for great views.
8. Cape Point Nature Reserve – Hot Tip: Eat at the Two Oceans Restaurant whilst you whale watch.
9. Misty Cliffs – Kommetjie: The road above Slangkoppunt Lighthouse has awesome views and excellent whale watching spots. Or go up the lighthouse for a different view!
10. Chapman’s Peak Drive: One of the most spectacular coastal roads on the planet running between Noordhoek and Hout Bay. Did you know fees for the toll road are now R30 for light vehicle.

This list is by no means complete and almost the entire coastline of the Cape Point Route becomes a whale watching feast. Peak season starts NOW and runs through to mid-October. You are almost guaranteed to see whales but sometimes you need to be patient as you watch for the subtle blow. Wind free days make sightings easier.

What to take: binoculars and your camera! Send us your pictures – we love whale shots!

For a seriously incredible experience book a boat based whale watching trip which operates from Simon’s Town. It is spine tingling, jaw dropping stuff to be within metres of these massive creatures of the sea where you can see the barnacles clinging to their skin and hear the whale song. Boat based whale watching requires a special permit to ensure that the whales are viewed without being harmed so be sure to use a licenced operator.

Whale Watching Trip details:
Daily departures (weather dependent): 09h00; 12h00; 14h30
Cost: R800 adults; R500 children
Duration: 3 hours
Departs: Simon’s Town
Bookings: 021 782 9356
Email: info@capepointroute.co.za

IMAGES:
1. Humpback Whale Tail - courtesy of D.Hurwitz Simon's Town Boat Company
2. Boat based whale watching - courtesy of Calders Hotel
3. Whale watching - by German Visitor Eva Sittig
4. Whales watching in False Bay - courtesy of German visitor Eva Sittig

Cape Point Route offers a wide range of Accommodation, Activities, ttractions, Restaurants, Venues, Shops, Tours and Packages on the CAPE PENINSULA, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

First whale spotted from CPR office!

It’s a gorgeous Cape Town day, the sea in False Bay is glassy and it was with great excitement that we saw our first whale from our office in Glencairn! So although some other whales have been spotted, this is our first sighting and it means that whale season has officially started.

Most of the whales that we spot are Southern Right Whales, though it is not uncommon to find humpback whales or occasionally Brydes whales. The Cape Point Route has some of the best land based whale watching in South Africa but it is a treat to take a boat into the bay to get up close and personal.

Whales are the giants of the sea and approximately the same size as 12 elephants! If you are lucky you may even experience some cool whale behaviour.
•Breaching – whale clears the surface with two-thirds or more of its body, often with a twisting motion! Amazing!
•Blowing – normal exhalation and inhalation pattern at the surface. Look for the spray!
•Spy hopping – whale rises vertically to a point where the eyes are above the water, then spins round to look at the area.
•Pectoral slap – whale rolls onto the side and slaps its pectoral (side) fins against the water.
•Lobtailing or tail slap - whale lifts its flukes (whale tail) out of the water and brings them down onto the water hard and fast. The sound can be heard for miles!

Whale watching boat trips leave Simon’s Town harbour daily at 09h00, 12h00 and 14h30 and the trip lasts for 2 hours. It is advisable to book in advance, but please be aware that all trips are subject to weather conditions. Trip costs R800 per adult and R550 for children under the age of 12.

You can book you whale watching trip with Cape Point Route.

Read about the "permanent" whale tail in Glencairn here or our 2007 boat trip to Cape Point where we saw a huge pod of humpback whales.