Top 5 Whale Watching Destinations in Africa

You can enjoy wildlife from different regions on the planet, but Africa is the one that will give you the best and most enchanting view of the marine animals, notably whales. You can explore thirty different types of marine habitats off the shoreline of South Africa. If not, come to premium spots to head to the water to explore the world of whales. 

You might be confused with the plethora of whale-watching destinations in Africa. But to encounter this giant marine animal, you should go through this article with the top five whale-watching destinations.

Hermanus

A boat tour from Harmanus offers the highest chance of watching whales. This tour will educate tourists about the biological behavior of this giant mammal when you head to the embarking. Here you can see the Humpback whales, Southern Right Whales, Bryde’s whales, dolphins, and seals seasonally.

The boat trip starts from the Hermanus New Harbour, searching for the fascinating “gentle giant.” Riding the boat from the Hermanus will give you an excellent view, pleasure, and a friendly atmosphere on the waterway. This kind of educational tour will give you a customizable service with a personal touch throughout the way. 

This fantastic water tour will take you to an otherworldy space where you will meet marine life, especially whales. Most importantly, the whale guide with extensive knowledge will give you in-depth insight. You should have your camera ready to click some unforgettable snaps you will recollect in the future.

Knysna

Knysna’s “close-encounter” whale watching trip is an overwhelming experience for marine life lovers. If you embark on this trip with an experienced commander of the South African Shore, you will witness the whales’ biology and behavior. The in-depth annotation will help you to understand marine behavior more precisely. Moreover, this journey offers sights of humpback whales, Bryde’s whales, and Southern Right whales.

Visitors, during their onboarding, have to sign an indemnity form. After that, crews of the “close-encounter” trip help guests with their life jackets to prepare them for the journey. Once all have completed their checking, the crew starts to commentary about their departure and brief the 

KwaZulu-Natal

KwaZulu-Natal can take the third position when Hermanus and Knysna claim the first two positions regarding the best view of whales at the coastlines. This Kwa Zulu, a World Heritage Site, can doubtlessly boast the highest number of humpback whale watching. 

If you visit between late June and November, you can see whales migrating towards the north of the Indian Ocean away from the Mozambique coast. On their return, they pass through the southern part of the nutrient-enriched Antarctic Ocean. 

Whales choose the path through the continental Mozambique Upland. In KZN, they intend to pass the coastline closely; this time, visitors can see them from the beaches. But, if you want to have a clearer picture, you should book a whale-watching excursion trip for a better view from the relaxed and laid-back town of St. Lucia. This rewarding experience will make your budgetary trip worthwhile. 

Wild Coast

Wild Coast is home to the extended north of the Eastern Cape. It is known as the most stunning and stony region. Rugged coastline, home-spun forests, mangrove marsh, and abundant river water are the best parts of the Wild Coast.

Unlike other areas in Africa, it is impossible to watch whales from the coastline because they do not tend to be visible near the coastline. So if you want the best view of the northern right whales, you must climb the highest viewpoint to catch the show. You only need a pair of binoculars to scan the water.

The name itself justifies the name. This place is truly an unspoiled coastline that caters to the wilderness. This pristine shore is not accessible to all but to those who dare to go hiking or on horseback. Despite the reality, you can access the solitary beaches if you stay in one of the pleasant hotels on the Wild Coast.

Eastern Cape

The period between May and December is the ideal time for watching aquatic animals in Eastern Cape. But this time usually becomes a display of passing humpback. Also, whales in the southern region pass through the translocated routes almost daily. Occasionally, you can see whales on the shoreline and their antic sight with the help of a pair of binoculars.

This Eastern Cape region is famous not only for whale watching but also as a beach-enclosed haven. Eastern’s longest sun-drenched time and unpolluted environment make this spot the right place for relaxation. Also, this place can trigger your adrenaline and excite you for adventures. Exciting water sports facilities along the coastline will give your trip a gear.

Africa is associated with not only terrestrial mammals; it is also great for aquatic life, especially whales. In Africa, people call whales “gentle giants.” People often become surprised when they experience the antic sight of the finest whales. There are many gateways to enjoy whale watching to get the best view, either from coastlines or some vantage point. We hope our article will help you to jot down some whale-watching destinations out of numerous spots. Read more about travel around the world here.