1. Year round Whale Watch Hotline: 0793912105. Hermanus is known internationally, as the Whale watching capital of the World, which is only 1.5 hours from Cape Town. Frequent encounters with the seafloor increase Right Whales’ risk of entanglement in fishing groundlines. ': Police warn drivers over 'stupid decisions' after child found wedged behind seat of speeding ute, Jarryd Hayne went to woman's house for 'one thing only' before alleged rape, court told, Howard-era deputy prime minister John Anderson looks to the Senate for political comeback, There are glimpses of ancient Mars on present-day Earth, How to watch Prince Harry and Meghan's Oprah interview in Australia, NSW government fails to reach position on school suspensions, Liberals to replace how-to-vote cards after One Nation racism row. By February 23. CCS, NOAA permit #19315-1. The whales migrate annually from Antarctica to the coast around Cape Town to calve their offspring. The red open-top City Sightseeing busses are a familiar sight in cities all over the world, offering their popular hop-on, hop-off tours in nearly 100 locations spanning five continents. Between 2010 and 2016, shark spotters recorded around 205 great white sharks living along the coastal sites of False Bay and Gansbaai, which lie off the eastern shore of Cape Town. Booking is advised. Only a 3 hour drive from Cape Town (transport options are available), Dyer Island Cruises offers our guests the potential to see more marine wildlife in one trip, than anywhere else in the country: Board Dreamcatcher - our 5 Star, custom-built whale … "She is only one in a big population, but she can serve as a flagship animal to remind humans that we all have to do our bit to protect these animals," she said. Kraus. "We have seen a number of whales with smaller marks, but nothing like what Bladerunner has.". October 10, 2020. The best land-based whale watching in Cape Town Posted on 8 May 2020 Being locked inside has been a shock to all South Africa’s nature lovers, particularly marine enthusiasts. Since 2001, our certified marine naturalists have been recording marine wildlife sightings through PacWhale Eco-Adventures.Our Whale & Dolphin Tracker is the latest iteration of this long-term monitoring program. "The whale was feeding amongst dozens of others and it was so beautiful to watch.". Humpback whales, with their obvious humps, knobbly heads, and long pectoral fins, can also be seen in Cape waters during their migration from the polar regions to Mozambique and Madagascar where they breed and give birth. This map should not be used for management purposes as detections are not effort corrected. Here’s what you need to know about whale watching in Cape Town. The Center for Whale Research (CWR) is thrilled to confirm that a new calf, L125, has been born into the Southern Resident killer whale (SRKW) community. Please report all right whale sightings from Virginia to Maine to 866-755-6622, and from Florida to North Carolina to 877-WHALE-HELP. The Official Statement regarding the cancellation of the 2020 Hermanus Whale Festival. By Tom Matthews | tmatthews@masslive.com. False Bay is the best place close to town for whale watching. During the two-hour trip, you will see a variety of bird species, including African penguins, as well as Cape fur seals. Posted by Anita Froneman on 16 July 2020. According to … A white … While the Cape coastline offers many fantastic land-based viewing opportunities, it is an entirely different experience to get close to these magnificent creatures in the ocean. Rosalind Butt, who owned a whale watching business in the New South Wales town of Eden, saw Bladerunner twice in her 30 years in the business. Planning a trip to Cape Town? However, you might also get a chance to see humpback whales and Bryde’s whales. The humpbacks have arrived, so how do you whale-watch while social distancing? However, you might also get a chance to see humpback whales and Bryde’s whales. A great white shark went to town over the weekend off Nantucket as it feasted on a whale carcass — a snack that fishermen got to see up-close and personal. Back at sea! 11 were here. It lets you that they're doing well.”. Here are 10 ways you can stay cool on those long, hot summer days. September to the beginning of December presents a unique opportunity for an excursion to one of the top land based Southern Right Whale watching locations in the world namely, Hermanus. You are most likely to catch a glimpse of them between May and November. 2019. Dyer Island Cruises depart from Kleinbaai harbour near Gaansbaai, and head to Dyer Island (8km from the shore). "Some whales do recover and heal up, and [Bladerunner is] a great example of that," Dr Pirotta said. The guides know where all the best whale-viewing spots are and have even reported seeing the same whales year after year! Route 44 Scenic drive; Peguin viewing at Betty’s Bay; Hermanus Village; Whale watching on a boat ( 2hrs return trip ) Wine tasting ( optional ) Cape Agulhus is another popular whale watching area. Go for…, © 2021 Cape Town Travel All Rights Reserved. Hamilton, P.K., and S.D. In Tasmania, boats are required to stay more than 100 metres away from a whale and avoid approaching the animal. NOAA RIGHT WHALE SIGHTING ADVISORY SYSTEM. Whale Watching and Marine Big 5 Tours in South Africa. By Sam Spiller 1h in the past. A humpback whale left with distinctive battle scars after a run-in with a boat propeller has been spotted in Tasmanian waters. Whale Watching Blog, South Africa. What you can expect to see. "If you're going out specifically to look for Bladerunner, I'd say you'd have to be incredibly lucky," Dr Pirotta said. Book flights, browse accommodation, and rent a car now to get the best rates. Marine Big 5 Daily Blog. The whale, known as Bladerunner, has deep 30-centimetre scars along her left side and right tail fluke after being cut by a propeller in Sydney in 2001. Enjoy a free ticket with Dyer Island Cruises with a City Pass. Highlights. Here are the biggest revelations, Meghan Markle tells Oprah there were conversations within palace 'about how dark Archie's skin might be', How Harry and Meghan went from fairy tale wedding to dropping bombshells on TV, Man charged with murder after body of woman, 21, found in shallow grave in the Flinders Ranges, Detectives receive an item of interest after Victorian High Country disappearances, Humpback whales spotted in unusually early encounter near Hervey Bay. As we’re involved with a large number of community projects and research programs, we like to keep our friends and guests up to date with all that’s going on with Dyer Island Cruises. Get hold of a City Pass to enjoy free entry to over 70 Cape Town attractions, including whale watching! There are viewing terraces at the Old Harbour, and Gearings Point is a popular spot. "It looks like a zebra, it has got stripes on it. He, P., and P. Suuronen. A rare Right Whale sighting in Iceland [accessed October 2020]. You are most likely to spot these shy whales between the West Coast and Port Elizabeth. Killer whales are likely responsible for the disappearance of great white sharks from the waters of Cape Town, South Africa — a popular destination to go cage diving, according to a new government report. They usually arrive in June and stay until November. Out of concern for the health and safety of the exhibitors and visitors to the festival, the Hermanus Whale Festival Executive Committee has no choice but to postpone the 2020 Hermanus Whale Festival to September 2021 due to the global COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. Due to a high number of reported White Shark sightings and close encounters, NSRI are appealing to the public exercise caution along the Southern Cape coastline, in … Marine scientist Vanessa Pirotta said collisions between whales and vessels weren't uncommon. The Cape Town City Pass gives you access to over 70 of the top Cape Town attractions, tours, and things to see and do, including the popular hop on hop off City Sightseeing bus. There are many attractions in Cape Town that showcase the city’s rich natural and cultural roots, with many of these not only offering information about the city’s past and present,…, February is one of the hottest months of the Cape Town summer - the pumping South Easter dies down a bit, the skies are clear, and the hot African sun heats up the city. Southern right whales can be distinguished by the callosities (rough patches of skin covered in barnacles) on their heads as well as their long arching mouths and characteristic double blowhole. Get hold of a City Pass to enjoy free entry to over 70 Cape Town attractions, including whale watching! Ms Butt saw Bladerunner again in 2013, with a calf. The peak season is from July to December, and southern right whales are pretty much guaranteed between August and November. Hi I know its not the usual time to see the whales but has there been any sightings recently. Numbers of all whale species are recorded, as well as any white or special interest whales, sick or injured animals, and mothers and babies. Southern Right Charters (SRC), a Hermanus-based whale watching and chartering company, spotted … Pacific Whale Foundation’s Whale & Dolphin Tracker app collects scientific data about marine wildlife from around the world. It offers some fine land-based viewing opportunities because the whales often come within metres of the shoreline. Hermanus is rated as one of the top 12 whale-watching locations in the world by the World Wildlife Fund. CAPE TOWN – City officers are planning to take away the carcass of a humpback whale that washed ashore on Strandfontein Beach on Saturday. Dr Pirotta said whales like Bladerunner served as a reminder to respect rules and regulations when it comes to whale watching. They average 15m in length and can weigh a whopping 60 tons! During the whale watching season, a Whale Crier alerts watchers to the presence of whales by blowing on a kelp horn. In 2017 the same killer whale pair – given the names Port and Starboard – were suspected of hunting at least five large white sharks in Gansbaai, another bay some 40 miles east of Cape Town. "You never know what you are going to see on the sea.". These popular red double-decker busses can also be seen driving around the streets of Cape Town, giving visitors a voice-guided overview…, Many attractions in Cape Town offer visitors the chance to learn about the city’s history, as well as experience it. Whale watching in Cape Town: All you need to know. During the whale-watching season, you might even be lucky enough to spot them close up if you take the train trip from Muizenberg to Simon’s Town. Winter means whale season in South Africa as the humpback, Bryde’s whales and southern right whales migrate to our waters to breed between July and December. Opt for the higher vantage points along the False Bay coastline such as Cape Point, Boyes Drive between St James and Kalk Bay, and Clarence Drive between Gordon’s Bay and Rooi Els. We share yours and many a whale watching guest’s disappointment and invite you to return next season- the whales might just have returned in numbers as they did last season! These days, their population has grown again, and they’re fairly common to spot off the coast of Cape Town. South Africa may be known for its Big Five, but the marine wildlife is just as impressive! After updating guests on the recent sightings at the pre-trip briefing, the choice is up to them to accompany us on a trip in our search for whales. Wonderful whale sightings along the SA coast.