Whale watching on the Western Cape
Southern right whales visit the Western Cape from about June to December every year. These beautiful gentle giants congregate to the shores of Hermanus all the way along the coast line towards Plettenberg Bay.
Area
Cape Town & the Western Cape
Type
Active
Wildlife & Nature
Grade
Standard
Who
Adults
Teens
Young Kids
Difficulty
Moderate
Duration
Half Day
South Africa has got to be one of the most incredible destinations in the world for watching marine mammals with spectacular annual visits from southern right and humpback whales and enormous pods of dolphins year-round.
In early June, southern right whales leave their Antarctic feeding ground to frolic in the warmer waters of the Western coast. Here they mate, calve and generally hang out, occasionally flopping a tail up, or sticking their heads out of the water, much to the delight of onlookers. They are a true marvel to behold!
Recommended Hotels Nearby
A selection of luxury hotel options in the area, handpicked and recommended by our travel specialists.
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View AccommodationTwelve Apostles Hotel
The luxurious Twelve Apostles Hotel is located within The Table Mountain National Park and fronted by a Marine Sanctuary with frequent sightings of whales, dolphins and seals. All this and just 10-minutes from the bustling heart of Cape Town.
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View AccommodationCape Grace Hotel
The Cape Grace is a stylishly decorated hotel with 112 rooms, set on its own private quay within the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. The hotel is surrounded on 3 sides by the bustling harbour and is in a fantastic location from which to explore Cape Town.
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View AccommodationKensington Place
Cape Town's definitive boutique hotel, set on the lower slopes of Table Mountain, successfully combines European style with a dash of African flair and comprises nine individually decorated rooms.
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View AccommodationHog Hollow Country Lodge
Hog Hollow Country Lodge is situated in a private nature reserve in close proximity to Plettenberg Bay. The lodge comprises 15 luxurious suites close to the Tsitsikamma Forest and is in a great place to explore the area.
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View AccommodationEllerman Villa One
Ellerman Villa One in Bantry Bay, offers a self-contained home of exceptional exclusivity and unrivalled privacy just 20 minutes from the centre of Cape Town. Stylish and chic, the villa is effortlessly comfortable with a modern minimalist design.
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View AccommodationOne&Only Cape Town
The One&Only Cape Town is the largest luxury hotel in Cape Town, offering chic water-side accommodation in 78 rooms and 53 suites. The hotel is fabulously located at the heart of the Victoria and Alfred waterfront.
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View AccommodationThe Plettenberg
Built on a dramatic rocky headland that separates the two main swimming beaches, the Plettenberg is a elegant hotel with just 37 individually furnished rooms, located at the heart of the picturesque 'Garden Route'.
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View AccommodationCape Cadogan
The Cape Cadogan is a boutique hotel in a beautiful Cape Dutch building in the heart of Cape Town. It had a full renovation in 2022, and has a luxuriously modern feel in a characterful setting, Each room is individually decorated and boasts superb views.
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View AccommodationFour Rosmead
Built in 1903, Four Rosmead is a classified monument that has been sensitively and stylishly refurbished, and has just ten rooms. The result is a chic contemporary classic small boutique style hotel, with a rich history.
More Experiences in This Area
Discover more things to do in the area and chat to our specialists about crafting these experiences into your tailor-made holiday.
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View ExperienceDinner at La Colombe
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View ExperienceRobben Island Trip
A short ferry ride from the V and A Waterfront in Cape Town is the famous Robben Island, a cultural must-do when staying in Cape Town, this trip gives an insight into South Africa's difficult history, as well as brilliant views across Cape Towns harbour.
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View ExperienceHike or Climb Table Mountain
Why not do something a bit different during your stay in Cape Town, get outdoors and experience some of the best climbing and hiking in the world? Take a hike or rock climbing trip up Table Mountain whilst taking in the breathtaking views all around you.
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View ExperienceCape Peninsula - Family
This guided day out is perfect for the whole family with treasure hunts in Kirstenbosch Gardens, fishing in Kalk Bay, stand up paddle boarding with penguins and game viewing in the Cape peninsula reserve.
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View ExperienceLunch & Cellar Tour at Durbanville Hills
A scenic route leads you to Durbanville Hills for a tour of their cellar and lunch at their open restaurant.
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View ExperienceCape Point Peninsula Tour
Your driver will collect you and drive you down the west coast of the Cape Peninsula. He will introduce you to the geography and cultural history, culminating at the Cape itself. You will drive back via Boulders Beach to see the penguins.
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View Experience
Diptyque Fragrant High Tea
Labotessa is the only official appointed reseller of the iconic Parisian fragrance house Diptyque. The Fragranced High tea experience is a unique sensory explosion of true pleasure.
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View ExperienceUthando
Uthando South Africa is an award winning, international and innovative Non Profit and Fair Trade certified organisation which raises funds for community development projects in Cape Town and South Africa.
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View ExperienceHigh Tea at The Mount Nelson
Afternoon tea at The Mount Nelson hotel is a must do whilst staying in Cape Town. The Mount Nelson Hotel serves tea from 14.30 onwards, book for a vast variety of sandwiches, pastries, and loose-leaf teas.
Call us on 212 372 7009 to start planning