About Whale Watching in Garden Route

Whilst the Garden Route, between Mossel Bay and Storm's River, does not get landbased whale watching in quite the same way as Hermanus, Witsand and De Hoop, whales are still very much in evidence in the more secluded bays particularly around Mossel Bay, Wilderness, Sedgefield and Plettenberg Bay.

Did you know? Knysna lagoon offers a sailing cruise past the Heads, another renowned area for spotting whales, and on towards Buffalo Bay. See southern right, humpback whales and even dolphins.

Mossel Bay offers a three-hour boat-based whale watching trip to Seal Island, whilst the largely unspoilt and beautiful beaches around Victoria Bay and Herold's Bay offer some wonderful vantage points to watch over the waters. If you can, make a stop at Dolphin's Point at Kaaiman's Pass on the N2 – on clear days this is an amazing place to spot whales and dolphins. Also head for Sedgefield's Gerike's Point and Swartvlei Beach.

Knysna lagoon offers a sailing cruise past the Heads, another renowned area for spotting whales, and on towards Buffalo Bay. See southern right, humpback whales and even dolphins.

The Whale Trail includes an overnight at Noetzie beach in huts just above the crashing waves, where it is common to catch sight of the southern right whale.

Plettenberg Bay and the Robberg Peninsula - Plettenberg Bay in particular deserves a visit when the wales are in. It too calls itself the 'whale capital' of the world, in similar vein to Hermanus.

In Plett's case, it has more to do with the whales' prevalence – the bay sees Bryde's, orcas and a range of dolphins all year round - and the duration of their visit – no sooner do the southern right whales start to head off than the humpback whales arrive, to remain until early January, usually whole families of them.

Add to this the rather impressive Cape fur seal community that makes the bay their home, and you can understand that Plettenberg Bay might contend for the title, even if their credentials are slightly different.

The area between the Athene shipwreck and the Keurbooms River in Plettenberg Bay draws a fairly large number of southern right whales. They roll in the waters close to shore.

And for excellent shore and cliff-based whale viewing head to the Robberg Peninsula and nature reserve, signal Hill, the Beacon Isle, Look-out deck, Look-out beach and Harkerville.

Need to Know

WhereWhale Watching in Garden Route, Mossel Bay to Storms River, Garden Route, South Africa

WhenVarious operators offer boat based whale watching trips.

OvernightStay in Garden Route Accommodation, Garden Route

Disclaimer

Please note, business details can change. While we endeavour to ensure all information provided by the service provider is correct at the time of publication, we do not assume any liability caused by errors or changes, such as price, cost, time, and location. Please check with the provider that the activity/business is still offered as described, before making any travel plans.

Feedback?

If this is your attraction, you can let us know if anything on this page is outdated or contains inaccuracies, by email. We regret, we do not have any other information, please contact the provider if you have questions.

In the vicinity

Hotels & other accommodation options in Garden Route

Things to do in the area

Accommodation convenient to Whale Watching in Garden Route

FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Western Cape Accommodation / Garden Route Accommodation

Garden Route as a destination

Want to stay overnight?

Dates

When would you like to stay?
Choose dates

Number of Guests

Why book with SA-Venues.com
  • Your card is safe with us; strictest card verification in the industry and we don't store card numbers.
  • No airy fairy service fees; you save!
  • We care. Service with integrity.
  • Multiple payment methods:
    credit card, SID instant EFT, bank transfer.
  • All Mossel Bay property owners / managers are verified (our experience protects you from online fraud).
  • Secure your booking
Our Payment Protection Guarantee only applies if your deposit payment is made via SA-Venues.com
South Africa. Explore. Experience. Stay

SA-Venues.com® has been assisting travellers with their South Africa travel plans since 1999, and is the largest, independent online travel guide for South Africa available in both English and German.