Pack a picnic and a pair of binoculars and make a day of breaching, blowing and spy-hopping. Here are the best places to watch whales in and around the Mother City.
Along with days of clear blue skies and sunshine, there’s another excellent reason to visit Cape Town in winter and spring: whale-watching. From June until (roughly) November, the seas off the Western Cape coast host one of the world’s most remarkable migrations, as thousands of Southern Right whales – Eubalaena australis – make their way from Antarctica (where they spend the summer months feeding on abundant krill) to the coastal waters of the Cape. Here, they breed and calve in the warm and sheltered bays from the West Coast to the Garden Route, before heading back south.
While centuries of whaling devastated the global population of Southern Right whales, decades of protection have allowed the numbers to recover beautifully. Today, it is estimated that there are more than 15,000 Southern Right whales in the oceans, with nearly half of them visiting South African shores.
Although Southern Rights are the whale you’re most likely to see, they aren't the only cetacean visitors. Humpback whales are also frequently seen from May to December as they migrate from the Southern Ocean to tropical waters. Bryde’s whales are present all year round too, although they are often observed in deeper waters during boat-based whale-watching tours.
Want to plan a one-day adventure – or why not make it a weekend? – of whale-watching? Start with Time Out’s expert guide to the best whale-watching destinations in and around Cape Town...
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Born and raised in the city, Richard Holmes is a travel writer based in Cape Town. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.
You don’t need to leave the city to spot whales: just head to the Sea Point Promenade. Keep your eyes on the water between Mouille Point and Bantry Bay, especially during calm mornings when spouts and tail flukes are easier to spot. Grab a coffee from one of the nearby cafés, find a bench with a view, and settle in for a wild morning out.
One of Cape Town’s most scenic drives, Victoria Road runs just metres from the ocean to connect Camps Bay and Llandudno, and the stretch from Bakoven to Oudekraal is especially rewarding. Look out for spouts, flukes, and the occasional full-body breach with a backdrop of the Twelve Apostles of Table Mountain. Pack a pair of binoculars and pull over safely at one of the many lay-bys to soak up the scene. Want to splash out? Book a terrace table at the 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa for a lazy lunch with a side-order of whale-watching.
The coastal road – or take the train! – between Fish Hoek and Simon’s Town offers some of the best whale-watching vantage points in the city. Along this False Bay stretch, it’s not uncommon to see Southern Rights lolling just beyond the breakers, or enjoying the calm waters of Fish Hoek Bay. Jager’s Walk in Fish Hoek is a local favourite for lazy wander with whales, while Miller’s Point and Seaforth Beach offer front-row seats for tail-slaps and fluke waves. For more thrilling encounters, book a boat trip with the Simonstown Boat Company, which will take you speeding out into the bay.
Cape Point isn’t only about dramatic cliffs, mischievous baboons and windswept views: it’s also a prime whale-spotting perch. From the upper paths near the old lighthouse or the tidal pools of Buffelsbaai you can find whales taking advantage of the deep waters offshore. Because you’ll have to pay an entry fee, it’s worth making it a whole day out.
The stretch of tar linking Gordon’s Bay to Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay is justifiably one of the most scenic in the Cape – and on our list of the Best Day Trips from Cape Town – but it’s also a prime spot for whale-watching. With plenty of lay-bys for you to safely pull over, standing high above the waters of False Bay offers the ideal vantage point for spotting whales (and pods of dolphins, if you’re lucky). While you won’t get the front-row sightings of Hermanus, the panoramic views make it worth the drive.
Famously home to the ‘world’s best land-based whale-watching’, it’s no surprise that Hermanus attracts whale-watchers from across the world. Boat tours depart from the New Harbour for ocean excursions on Walker Bay, but you’ll be just as happy spotting whales from dry land. Gearing's Point is the hub of the town, with plenty of great restaurants and shops to discover, but also lace up your walking shoes and stroll along the Hermanus Cliff Path. In 2025, it was upgraded to provide a continuous 12-kilometre clifftop walkway linking New Harbour to Grotto Beach. With deep waters just offshore, you can expect fantastic close-up sightings. Kayak trips departing from the Old Harbour in town are also a great way to see whales from the water.
If you want to escape the crowds of Hermanus, head 30 minutes east to the other side of Walker Bay and the peaceful cliffs of De Kelders. A coastal path runs along the length of the village, and you’ll find plenty of sunny benches and quiet coves ideal for watching the sea. Klipgat Cave and the expansive beaches of Walker Bay Nature Reserve are also worth visiting.
Cape Agulhas is the southernmost tip of Africa, where wild seas and rocky shores have earned it the title “graveyard of ships.” Many vessels met their end here – stories well told in Bredasdorp’s excellent Shipwreck Museum – but today, whales navigate these waters with ease and are often visible from the top of the historic lighthouse. Whales also love the calm waters off Struisbaai beach, and you’ll often spot them just beyond the breakers or from the harbour wall.
Protecting over 36 000 hectares of coastal wilderness, De Hoop Nature Reserve is a remote treasure east of Bredasdorp. This CapeNature reserve is a biodiversity hotspot, home to rare bontebok, lush fynbos, and some of the best land-based whale-watching in the country. The dunes at Koppie Alleen provide perfect viewpoints to spot Southern Rights breaching and blowing just beyond the breakers, and you’re likely to see pods of dolphins as well! The reserve’s beaches are wild and pristine, ideal for peaceful walks and picnics. Brave the chill, and you’ll discover excellent snorkelling in the protected rock pools, thanks to a five-kilometre offshore marine sanctuary. For a luxurious weekend escape, don’t miss a stay at Lekkerwater Beach Lodge on a private concession in the eastern part of the reserve.
This charming coastal village is renowned for its turquoise waters and historic fishing community. Winter is an ideal time to visit, with fewer crowds and excellent whale-watching from the shore. Explore the tidal Waenhuiskrans cave and wander through the whitewashed lanes of Kassiesbaai, a designated National Heritage Site. Don’t miss the Kassiesbaai Craft Centre, where you can find handmade crafts and – book in advance – enjoy a hearty traditional meal. Whether you're whale-watching from the dunes or exploring the village's cultural heritage, Arniston in the off-season offers a peaceful and soulful escape by the sea.
Straddling the western (Infanta) and eastern (Witsand) shores of the Breede River mouth, just reaching either of these holiday hotspots can be an adventure involving hand-pulled river ferries and lonely gravel roads. However, the waters of St. Sebastian’s Bay are well worth the effort, as they often host the largest concentration of Southern Rights on the South African coast.
While it’s the spring flowers that bring most visitors to the West Coast National Park in winter and spring, you’ll also be treated to wonderful whale watching. Once you’ve admired the blooms, head to the wilder western side of the reserve. From viewing points gazing out along Sizteen Mile Beach and the rough Atlantic, you have a good chance of seeing both Southern right and Humpback whales. When the flower-rich Posberg section is open (usually August/September), head to Plankiesbaai to watch whales from the rustic picnic sites.
Thar she blows! The vertical spray from a whale’s blowhole is an easy way to spot them at sea, and is caused by their warm breath meeting cool sea air. Want to sound like an expert? Look for the shape of the blow: a Southern Right has a distinctive V-shaped blow, while humpbacks’ are column-shaped.
The most spectacular sighting comes when a massive whale propels itself out of the water and crashes back with a huge splash. Why all the fuss? Scientists aren’t sure, but it could be to communicate, dislodge parasites or simply have a bit of fun.
Here’s lookin’ at you, kid! A spy-hopping whale rises vertically in the water with its head above the surface to have a quick peek at its surroundings.
When whales lift their massive flukes (tails) and slap them against the water it is most likely to communicate with other whales.
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