About Whale Watching in Cape Agulhas
Take the N2 out of Cape Town and travel for about two and a half hours to reach the most southern tip of Africa which is monopolised by the three towns of L'Agulhas, its neighbour Struisbaai, and on the other side of the bay, Arniston or Waenhuiskrans.
Did you know? From the cliffs of Arniston one is said to hear the whales singing at night in the waters below.
Cape Agulhas may not be as beautiful as the Cape Peninsula, nor boast quite the land-based whale watching of Hermanus, Walker Bay or Witsand. However there is the bonus of fewer people, and thus the advantage of access to the whales without the crowds.
The town of L'Agulhas is famous for its position, more than anything else - it lies at the southernmost tip of Africa where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, its rocks have been privy to more than their fair share of shipwrecks, and it is home to a rather atmospheric lighthouse, the second-oldest in South Africa.
But Agulhas National Park with its 56km strandveld covered, sand dune ridden coastline, and the beaches below the lighthouse, provides wonderful vantage points from which to spot whales, and a particularly rugged, windswept environment in which to enjoy them.
Struisbaai's harbour, although essentially a fishing harbour with a few recreational vessels, is where boats leave on whale watching expeditions. It was only in 2010 that Struisbaai was awarded a permit, ahead of the World Cup, but spotting whales by boat is undoubtedly popular in the seaside village.
It's not the only way to see them, however. Struisbaai boasts the longest continuous stretch of beach in the southern hemisphere, known as Struisbaaiplaat, where whales have been known to venture in as close as 20 metres from the shore.
Whale watching in Arniston here is a quieter, more sedate venture than in Walker Bay, but sightings are good from the cliffs overlooking the site of the HMS Arniston shipwreck, which ran aground in 1815, and along the Waenhuiskrans Nature Reserve coastline.
Arniston also runs boat-based whale watching.
Need to Know
WhereWhale Watching in Cape Agulhas, Cape Agulhas Region, Western Cape, South Africa
WhenBest during daylight hours. in Whale Watching Season.
OvernightStay in Cape Agulhas Accommodation, Western Cape
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Additional Reading
You might also be interested inAll About The Whales
Want to go whale watching in South Africa? South Africa is known as one of the best places in the world for whale watching. Explore our 'whale watching' pages below to find out when, where and how to see the whales in South Africa...
The Whale Route
The Whales
Where to See Whales
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options in Cape Agulhas
Casa Leve Leve
Indulge in opulence at this holiday home nestled in the serene embrace of the natural reserve near South Africa's southernmost tip. Behold the vi...
Agulhas Ocean House
Agulhas Ocean House is located at the entrance to Agulhas and looks over glorious, unobstructed seascapes. From May through to November guests ca...
Cape Agulhas Guest House
Cape Agulhas Guest House offers bed & breakfast accommodation in L'Agulhas, just a two minute walk from the sea. There is a fully licensed bar an...
South Point Self Catering & B&B
Situated 200 metres from the gates to the Agulhas National Park and the historic Lighthouse in the picturesque town of L'Agulhas, South Point off...
Soutbos & Janfrederik Self Catering
Soutbos & Janfrederik Self Catering offers accommodation in two self catering units situated in the town of L'Agulhas. It is perfect for a family...
Agulhas Seabreeze
Kick back and relax in this calm, stylish space. Agulhas Seabreeze holiday apartment in Agulhas is near the most Southern tip of Africa. Private,...
4 On Hoffman Seaview
Set just 100m from the sea, 4 On Hoffman Seaview Guest House offers a relaxing beach getaway with comfortable accommodation in L'Agulhas. The gue...
Chateau de Marine Boutique Hotel & Wellness
Chateau de Marine Boutique Hotel is situated in Struisbaai and offers accommodation in nine luxury bedrooms. The establishment has secure parking...
Agulhas Country Lodge
Agulhas Country Lodge is built from local limestone and blends beautifully into a hill overlooking the spectacular oceans. All rooms have sea vie...
Things to do in the area
Awesome Charters
Experience angling at the southern most tip of Africa with Awesome Charters, a saltwater fishing charter, based in Struisbaai. Based in the Strui...
Cape Agulhas Lighthouse
The Cape Agulhas Lighthouse has stood for over 150 years as a maritime chaperone over the notorious 'Cape of Storms', at the most southern tip of...
Cape Agulhas Lighthouse Museum
The Cape Agulhas Lighthouse Museum was opened in 1994 and is the only one of its kind that is found in Africa. The museum is a wonderful historic...
Quoin Point Lighthouse
There is a rather menacing peninsula or promontory that lies between Danger Point and Cape Agulhas, known as Quoin Point. It forms the outer east...
Wine Boutique L'Agulhas
Anyone visiting L'Agulhas who loves wine should stop at the Wine Boutique when stocking up for the weekend.There are daily tastings with wine sal...
Agulhas Beach
Frolic in the shallow waves where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet or better yet see what sea creatures you can identify in the abundant rock ...
Suiderstrand Beach
Suiderstrand – literally meaning Southern Beach (translated from Afrikaans) is completely surrounded by the Agulhas National Park, which as you c...
Spookdraai Hiking Trail
There is no secret behind the name of this hiking trail at Cape Agulhas. There have been so many shipwrecks along this coastline that even if you...
Rasperpunt Hiking Trail
More commonly known as the Agulhas walking trail, because it takes place within the Agulhas National Park, the Rasperpunt hike begins just west o...
Accommodation convenient to Whale Watching in Cape Agulhas
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