Whale Watching in South Africa

The Cape Overberg coastline (or "Cape Whale Coast") is without doubt one of the most exciting parts of the country to view whales and few visitors leave disappointed or untouched by the experience ...

Photographs:
Left - Hermanus provides the best land-based whale watching in South Africa.
Right: Waching the Whales - photo courtesy of and © Misty Waves Hotel in Hermanus.

In South Africa boats are not allowed closer than 300 metres from a whale without a permit and 50 metres with a permit. This of course does not stop the whales from coming closer to the boats, which they very often do. Approaching whales is done quietly, without motors and at ‘no wake speed’. South Africa is the only country in the world, to date, with an established environmental court where poachers of protected marine species are tried for their offences.

For an in depth look at the spectacular Cape Whale Coast with information about the Whales that frequent our shores, the best times to visit and the Towns with the best vantage points from which to see the Whales please visit The Cape Whale Coast. The Cape Overberg pages will give you information about the individual towns and some general information about whale-watching in this country is available at South Africa Whale watching.