Nature
Whale watching on the Garden Route: when, where and with whom
Every winter, southern right whales come close enough to the Garden Route coast to hear them breathe. Here is when to come, the best places to watch from land, and how to choose a boat trip.
From our lawn you look straight out over the bay. In season, keep binoculars by the coffee.
The short answer
Whale season on the Garden Route runs from June to November, peaking from July to October. Southern right whales come into sheltered bays to calve, humpback whales migrate past slightly further out, and Bryde's whales are present most of the year. The best land-based spots include Dolphin Point and the Map of Africa in Wilderness, the Robberg peninsula and Signal Hill in Plettenberg Bay, the Knysna Heads and the St Blaize Trail in Mossel Bay. Licensed boat operators in Plettenberg Bay, such as Ocean Blue Adventures and Ocean Safaris, hold permits to approach whales to 50 m.
- Season
- June to November, peak July to October
- Species
- Southern right, humpback, Bryde's; dolphins year-round
- Best boat base
- Plettenberg Bay
- Boat trip
- About 2 hours; from about €69 per person
- Free lookouts
- Dolphin Point, Map of Africa, Robberg, St Blaize
In this guide
The first sign is usually a blow: a V-shaped puff of spray on a calm morning, far out beyond the breakers. Then another. If you have binoculars, you might see a dark, knobbly head rise, a flipper slap the water, or, if you are lucky, forty tonnes of whale launching itself clear of the sea and crashing back down.
From June to November, the Garden Route is one of the best places in the world to watch whales, and you can do much of it from the shore.
When is whale season?
| Species | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Southern right whale | June to November, peak July to October | Close inshore in sheltered bays, often with calves |
| Humpback whale | May to July (north) and November to December (south) | Along the coast, often a little further out |
| Bryde's whale | Most of the year | Plettenberg Bay and offshore |
| Bottlenose and common dolphins | All year | Surf zones and bays along the whole coast |
Southern right whales migrate from the sub-Antarctic to calve and mate in the warm, sheltered bays of the South African coast. They are slow, curious and often come within a few hundred metres of the beach. Their name comes from the whaling era: they were the "right" whale to hunt, because they swim slowly and float when dead. Today they are protected and slowly recovering.
Humpbacks migrate further out, towards Mozambique in the early winter and back south in late spring, and are famous for breaching and tail-slapping.
The best places to watch from land
You do not need a boat. Pick a high point on a calm, clear morning, bring binoculars and be patient.
In Wilderness
- Dolphin Point on the N2 above the Kaaimans River mouth, with a wide view along the coast.
- The Map of Africa ridge, higher still. Paragliders who fly there in season regularly report whales below; local operator Cloudbase even mentions whale spotting on its tandem flights. See the Map of Africa guide.
- Wilderness Beach, where whales sometimes pass just beyond the surf.
Along the route
- Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay: the peninsula juts into the bay and gives high views on both sides. Also home to thousands of Cape fur seals.
- Signal Hill and the Beacon Isle area, Plettenberg Bay.
- The Knysna Heads, from the viewpoint on the East Head.
- The St Blaize Trail, Mossel Bay: a cliff path with the ocean below all the way.
- Nature's Valley and the Tsitsikamma coast.
Boat-based whale watching
To get close, take a licensed boat trip. In South Africa, only operators with a special government permit may deliberately approach whales, to a minimum distance of 50 m. Private boats must stay 300 m away.
Plettenberg Bay is the main centre. Established operators include Ocean Blue Adventures and Ocean Safaris. A typical trip:
- lasts about two hours, with around 90 minutes on the water with the animals;
- launches from the beach through the surf in a rigid inflatable boat;
- costs from about €69 per person (prices in rand vary by season);
- often includes dolphins, Cape fur seals at Robberg and seabirds, sometimes all three whale species.
Operators may also run trips from Knysna and Mossel Bay.
Tips for boat trips: book a morning slot when the sea is usually calmer; take seasickness tablets beforehand if you are prone to it; wear warm, windproof layers even in summer; and accept that sightings are wildlife, not a show. Good operators will tell you honestly what they have been seeing.
Stay where this story happensWatch for spouts from the ridge, then drive to Plett for a boat trip.Three self-catering places on 21 hectares above Wilderness. Book direct for the best rate.Check dates →
How to watch responsibly
- Choose a licensed operator. Unlicensed boats approaching whales is illegal and stressful for the animals.
- Do not fly drones near whales without a permit.
- From shore, keep noise down and stay on paths, especially on cliffs.
- If you see a stranded or entangled whale or dolphin, report it to the local sea rescue or marine authorities; do not try to help alone.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see whales on the Garden Route?
From July to October. The whole season runs from June to November.
Where is the best whale watching on the Garden Route?
Plettenberg Bay for boat trips. For land-based watching, the Robberg peninsula, Dolphin Point and the Map of Africa in Wilderness, the Knysna Heads and the St Blaize Trail in Mossel Bay.
Can you see whales from the beach in Wilderness?
Yes. In season, southern right whales often pass close to the Wilderness coast. High points like Dolphin Point and the Map of Africa give the best views.
How close do whale watching boats get?
Licensed operators may approach to 50 m. Other boats must keep at least 300 m away.
Can you see dolphins all year on the Garden Route?
Yes. Bottlenose dolphins are resident year-round and common dolphins pass in large groups, especially in winter.
We live on the Garden Route and update this guide every season. Something changed? Tell us.
