Whale Watching Season in Hermanus (2023)

FAQs

Are there whales in Hermanus right now? ›

Whale season in Hermanus

Bryde's whales are present all year round. Out of season trips – January to May cruises to Danger Point to see the resident Brides whales, Marine Big 5 tours, sunset cruises, bird-watching cruises.

Winter (May to September)

The Whale Season of Hermanus occurs during winter when the mighty whales of the ocean migrate to this part of the marine world. The sight of these magnificent creatures gliding through the coastal waters of Hermanus makes winter the best season of the year to explore this city.

"The best time to see Southern Right Whales in Hermanus is between July and November." While the whale sightings during the months of July and August vary each year, you're almost guaranteed to see whales in September, October and even November.

Monterey Bay, California

Enjoy year-round whale-watching in Monterey Bay. Running alongside California's central coast, the bay sees humpback and blue whales from April to December, and gray whales from December to April. The coast also attracts killer whales, who hunt gray whales during their migration north.

Several factors contribute to whales' current endangered status, such as overfishing, pollution, dam/bridge construction, private/commercial boating, and commercial whaling. Still, commercial whaling has significantly affected the endangered status of today's whale populations.

The whales migrate from the Antarctic around June for mating and breeding. The area has been recognised by the World Wildlife Fund and Whale Watching Hermanus is one of the 12 best places whale watching destinations in the world. What is this? This region of South africa is also ridiculously beautiful!

Summer Whale Watching (June, July, August):

The Summer months are the best months to witness the world's largest animal…the BLUE WHALE! Southern California is the best place in the world to look for a Blue Whale as they seek the nutritious krill that allows them to grow to their epic size.

Whales are mostly active at night but have been known to be more active during the day during certain hours, seasons, and activities. In the summer months, whales are less active at night due to their prey being more accessible during the day. Whales are never diurnal, but they can be crepuscular.

But first, we stress that there's no “best” time of day to go whale watching. Whales are out and about doing their thing day and night, so whether you go out in the morning, afternoon or evening you'll always have a great chance of seeing whales and other marine wildlife.

In the spring, when migrating whales pass through, you've got a good shot at spotting humpbacks, Sei, and the two largest species of whale: fin and blue. Peak season is April through September, but visit in April and May for the best chance of spotting a big blue.

What is the best hour to watch whales? ›

One of the reasons that the morning time is the best time of day for whale watching has to do with weather and ocean conditions. The wind is a key player when it comes to smooth seas, and morning trips often have less wind.

In Northern California, your best time to spot gray whales and orcas is December to May. For humpbacks, visit May through November, and for blue whales, the largest animal on Earth, plan your stay sometime between July and October.

There's a 95% chance you'll see a whale any month of the year. Generally, humpback whales are observed feeding in the bay March through December and Gray whales are seen migrating December through May. Blue whale sightings vary each year but your best bet is July and August.

One of the most exciting things about seeing a wild whale is simply encountering an animal which still teeters on the brink of extinction. It is estimated that less than 1% of people living on planet Earth will see a whale in their lifetime. Therefore, any time you see a whale, even one whale, you are truly privileged.

Which Countries Still Hunt Whales? The countries where commercial whale hunting continues are Japan, Norway, and Iceland. Norway kills the most whales of the three countries.

Introduction. Threats to whales include commercial whaling, pollution, ozone depletion, global warming an whale watching.

There are over 1.5 million whales worldwide, although some species like the blue whale are endangered.

Although not required, a gratuity for your guide is a great way to show your appreciation for their outstanding service. Guiding is a hospitality industry comparable to that of a server at a restaurant. 10% – 20% gratuity is a good general rule, depending on how amazing your guide was.

Facts and Information on Southern Right Whales

When aerial surveys of Walker Bay start in July every year, there are about 50 whales in the bay. This increases to 200 at peak whale watching season in September and October.

Can you swim in the sea in Hermanus? ›

The area in and outside of Hermanus is dotted with excellent beaches suited to swimming, angling, surfing and other activities, with varying facilities but all well maintained.

All animals within the animal kingdom go through a repeated 24-hour cycle called the circadian cycle. Unlike most dolphins who often hunt for their prey at night, most whales can often sleep throughout the night.

On average, larger whales will surface for air about every 10-15 minutes. Smaller whales usually won't stay underwater for more than 5-minutes.

Slow-moving fish and turtles and shellfish beds are often decimated by the rough undercurrents and rapid changes in water temperature and salinity wrought by a hurricane. Sharks, whales, and other large animals swiftly move to calmer waters, however, and, generally speaking, are not overly affected by hurricanes.

Whales pee a lot.

As you would expect of an animal of whale size, they pee a lot. In fact, according to the Canadian Journal of Zoology a fin whale can pee as much as 257 gallons PER DAY!

Whaling in the United States hit its peak in the mid-1800s. New technologies, including gun-loaded harpoons and steamships, made whalers around the world more efficient. The American whaling fleet, based on the East Coast, operated hundreds of ships in the South Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.

Eat breakfast – Do not sail on empty stomach. A non-greasy meal such as oatmeal, toast, or a little yogurt is fine. Try an over-the-counter medication such as Bonine or Dramamine. It is recommended to take at least 1-2 hours before you get on the boat.

Sunshine Makes it Easier to See

If the sun is bright and shining, this is an excellent opportunity to go whale watching. When you go out on the water during a clear day, you can see for miles. You can even spot that notched whale tail far in the distance if you have clear visibility.

Dont let a cloudy or rainy day keep you from going out whale watching. Sometimes a cloudy day is the best whale watching weather. The whales don't care if it is raining and you will often find that there are fewer other tours around.

It is usually colder out on the water than it is inland or even on the shore. You will want to wear several layers to keep yourself warm during your trip. To be safe, expect the temperature to be 20-30°F (11-16°C) colder on the water.

Do whales like cold or warm? ›

Whales are warm blooded marine mammals that can tolerate cold water temperatures. Whales use blubber as an insulation layer to help maintain the energy and warmth when they dive to cool depths or travel to cold waters such as in Alaska.

Morning is the best time of day for whale watching in California. Weather is the key component to ideal whale watching conditions. Typically, there is less wind in the morning making for calmer seas, which is most enjoyable for both marine life and boat tours.

Strong southerly winds are not good for Whale Watching... anything about 12-15knts will make conditions uncomfortable. WESTERLY WINDS: Westerly winds are awesome for Whale Watching... offshore winds flatten the seas and you can see whales for miles !!

Whales will usually stay in place as they sleep near the surface. As they rest, they are switching which hemisphere of the brain is awake. This resting behavior is often called 'logging' because they resemble a log floating at the water's surface.

November through March is also a great time to spot humpback whales, which can usually be spotted in clusters of ten. October through December is also a prime time to spot minke whales. Another common sighting during these months are also dolphins and sea lions which you don't want to miss!

Breaching is when most or all of the whale's body leaves the water. Humpback whales can use their powerful fluke (or tail fin) to launch themselves out of the water. And while many other whale species breach, humpback whales seem to breach more frequently.

We often encounter sharks while looking for whales and they are always a huge hit (especially with the kids).

In Summary. When heading out on your whale watching experience, whether watching from the shore or a boat, take a pair of binoculars. You will be in awe of these wonderful and majestic creatures. Seeing them up close will be even more spectacular.

When watching marine mammals by boat: Remain at least 100 yards from whales and at least 50 yards away from dolphins, porpoises, seals, and sea lions. Federal law has specific distance requirements for some species. Keep 100 yards away from humpback whales in Hawaiian and Alaskan waters.

Although huge by size, humpback whales are one of the most gentle animals in the world. It is safe to swim with whales, but do listen to the instructions of your guide. Be respectful to the whales by keeping your distance and not touching them.

How close do whales get to shore? ›

They sometimes come within 50 feet of the shore.

HUMPBACK WHALES: Common (seen on 75-99% of trips)

They range in size anywhere from 35 up to 60 feet in length when fully grown (males are usually slightly smaller than females).

Victoria, Southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The place with the highest year round whale sightings success percentage at over 95% success rate is the waters surrounding the city of Victoria on the southern end of Vancouver Island, Canada.

TThe most common whale spotted in Hermanus is the Southern Right Whale. It gets this name from early whalers, who named it the 'right' whale to hunt. Drive to Fick's Pool on Plein St, take the cliff path towards the New Harbour for about 100 metres and arrive at Dreunkrans. Locals love coming here to see the whales.

The peak season is from July to December, and southern right whales are pretty much guaranteed between August and November. Simon's Town Boat Company is your best bet if you're a little more pressed for time and need to keep things local.

Currently, the countries where commercial whale hunting is still in practice are Japan, Norway, and Iceland. While Iceland announced recently that it would stop its commercial whaling by 2024, there is no end in sight for the same practice in Japan or Norway.

There are over 1.5 million whales worldwide, although some species like the blue whale are endangered.

She was sold to SeaWorld San Diego and became a star attraction. Shamu was the fourth orca ever captured, and the second female. She died in August 1971, after about six years of captivity. After her death, the name Shamu continued to be used in SeaWorld "Shamu" shows for different orcas in different SeaWorld parks.

In the spring, when migrating whales pass through, you've got a good shot at spotting humpbacks, Sei, and the two largest species of whale: fin and blue. Peak season is April through September, but visit in April and May for the best chance of spotting a big blue.

What time of day are you most likely to see whales? ›

Whales are generally most active in the morning and late afternoon, making these the best times to spot them. During the morning, whales tend to be more active as they start their day and may feed. As the day progresses and the sun sets, whales become more active as they prepare to rest for the night.

December to March is the best time for beaches and sunny weather. If you want to head to the beach, the best time to visit Cape Town is in the summer (December to March). This is when you'll find warm weather, clear skies and long days, creating the perfect mix for sun-seekers.

Whales have been hunted for meat in Japan since before 800 AD. After World War II, due to damage to Japan's infrastructure, whale meat became an important source of proteins. In modern-day Japan, two cuts of whale meat are usually created: the belly meat and the tail meat.

In 1986, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) banned commercial whaling because of the extreme depletion of most of the whale stocks. Contemporary whaling for whale meat is subject to intense debate.

Sperm whale numbers are continuing to increase in the Pacific, and interactions with fishermen are becoming more frequent. Whales were once regarded as an exploitable resource that could be killed freely for profit. No more.

One of the most exciting things about seeing a wild whale is simply encountering an animal which still teeters on the brink of extinction. It is estimated that less than 1% of people living on planet Earth will see a whale in their lifetime. Therefore, any time you see a whale, even one whale, you are truly privileged.

They were once abundant but were decimated during the commercial whaling era, when they were hunted for their oil and meat. The whales have been listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act more than 50 years but have been slow to recover.

Entanglement. Entanglement represents a significant threat to many marine animals, including humpback whales in Hawai'i. It has been estimated that hundreds of thousands of whales die each year worldwide as a result of entanglements.