Whale watching season in South Africa

July to November is the annual whale migration season in South, with the whales arriving from the cold waters of Antarctica to the warmer waters around Cape Town. 

Southern Right Whales arrive to find a mate and calve in the region’s warmer waters, while the humpback carries on to Mozambique and Madagascar to care for their young. 

The resident Bryde Whale is found here all year round. 

The Southern Right and Humpback whales are naturally curious, making for exceptional viewing. 

They are particularly surface active and often display their natural exuberance by lob tailing, sailing and breaching. 

This is also where large mating pods and mothers choose to teach their calves to swim in the protected shallows. 

www.capetown.travel/whalewatching-in-cape-town-all-youneed-to-know

Where to stay for the whale watching 

Bungalow St James 

Located at the foot of the Muzeinberg mountain, St. James Bungalow from Perfect Hideaways, enjoys uninterrupted views of False Bay and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.

www.perfecthideaways.co.za/selfcatering/bungalow-st-james 

Tintswalo Atlantic 

Tintswalo Atlantic is located on a pebbled beach overlooking the Hout Bay harbour,at the foot of Chapman’s Peak. 

www.tintswalo.com/atlantic 

The Blue Anchor, Hermanus 

The Blue Anchor is a private home offers views of the ocean and the whales. www.perfecthideaways.co.za/selfcatering/the-blue-anchor 

Morukuru Beach Lodge, De Hoop 

Nature Reserve The lodge has ocean-facing suites from which to watch the whales’ spouting, breaching, tail-flapping, and calving. 

www.perfecthideaways.co.za/selfcatering/morukuru-beach-lodge 

Stone House Hermanus 

The Stone House offers views of the bay on its doorstep and within earshot of the horn that sounds in the town when whales are spotted along the coast. 

www.perfecthideaways.co.za/selfcatering/stone-house-hermanus 

Baxter House, Simon’s Town 

Baxter House has expansive views across the bay to Fish Hoek. www.perfecthideaways.co.za/selfcatering/baxter-house 

Alana Fogarty at alana@farcommunications.co.uk

Fleet Blessing to Celebrate Start of Whale Watching Season

We will have roving entertainers, plus tasty food on offer with many great cafes and restaurants at the marina for spectators to enjoy, plus there will be food stalls and fun children's activities which will all be part of Hervey Bay's traditional Blessing of the Fleet which signals the start of the whale watching season on July 27 this year.

Robyn Peach, event manager with Fraser Coast Tourism & Events, said a traditional aloha chant and multi-faith blessing would also be highlights of the event, presented by USC, from 4pm to 7.00pm.

“Enjoy a sail past and watch a live performance by Hervey Bay's, Derek F Smith, you can hop aboard one of the whale fleet vessels after their blessing to get a great vantage point for viewing the fireworks finale at 7pm” she said.

“The fleet blessing is a centuries-old seafaring tradition to foster a safe and prosperous season.

“These days it's joined with stalls selling great-tasting food for families to grab something quick, easy and affordable to eat plus a host of kids' entertainment such as face painting and rides.”

The Aloha Mai E chant will be performed by Hervey Bay's Leandra Gurbiel who has been trained in Hawaii.

“The chant is a calling to the humpback whales, invoking the blessing of migration,” she said.

Ms Gurbiel said it was also about bringing the community together for love and connection and wishing a safe journey to those on the water.

The activities on the day will also include a Marine Rescue Hervey Bay open day from 2pm to 5pm at the Great Sandy Straits Marina to promote awareness of the volunteer service.

Graeme Davies said people would be able to tour the base, step aboard their boat, see displays such as life rafts, ask boating questions and find out more about volunteering.

“We are on call 24-hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year,” he said.

“Probably about a third of the work we do is medical evacuations from Fraser Island.”

He said the marine rescue crew also monitored radio messages and helped with search and rescue operations.

Mrs Peach said it was always terrific to see crowds come out supporting the whale fleet and making the most of the magnificent marina.

For more information about the Blessing of the Fleet, visit herveybaywhalefestival.com.au.

The Journey of the Humpback Whales in Mozambique

• A remarkable migration to the Bazaruto Archipelago

The islands that speckle Mozambique’s coastline are a welcome vision of paradise for every guest. Seamlessly blending in with the natural beauty that surrounds them, Bazaruto Island is an ideal destination for marine adventurers. Equally as breath taking as the stunning ocean views offered along the 2,500km of Mozambique’s coastline are the extraordinary sights that lie just below the surface.

Falling within the protective border of the Bazaruto Archipelago, Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort is a private island resort that offers extraordinary oceanic adventures in pristine, unspoilt waters. Now that Mozambique’s whale-watching season is here, wildlife lovers can enjoy front row seats for the annual migration from the island resort. Every winter, pods of whales embark on their annual migration from Antarctica to Africa, one of the longest migrations in the world. They can be seen passing through the waters of Mozambique between June and December.

The whale-watching season offers an exciting opportunity to witness these majestic creatures during their migration, as well as a chance to explore the turquoise Indian Ocean waters, spot dolphins and whales, and swim with sea turtles too. The most common whale species spotted are humpback and southern right. The whales migrate to cold waters in high latitudes for feeding, before moving on to warmer waters for mating and giving birth.

“From vibrant coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, to some of the world’s largest populations of dolphins, whales, sharks, turtles and dugong, it is these remarkable ecosystems and the surrounding crystal-clear waters that make Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort a premier whale watching destination”, says Fernando Costa, Activities Manager at Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort.

Southern right whales are best seen close to shore in the southern part of the Mozambique Channel from June to December, close to Anantara Bazaruto. Between July and October, the humpback whales showcase their acrobatic skills in the waters of the Bazaruto Archipelago. These creatures can propel their upper bodies as high as ten metres above the surface. Their friendly and curious personalities allow them to approach whale-watching boats or spend a few minutes within close range of the boats. They often swim peacefully alongside passing boats, arch gracefully over the waves and expel air from their blowholes, thrilling guests with a truly magical experience.

Guests at Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort set off in the morning on their whale watching expedition on a 36 ft GulfCraft Tourer, with a choice of two trips: a three-hour excursion or a half-day tour in search of whales and snorkelling amongst spectacular vibrant coral reefs and bountiful marine at Two Mile Reef. A half day tour is followed by a picnic lunch at Pansy Island. The picnic offers a tailored menu of barbeque delights and salad with beverages, served by a personal waiter and chef at a shady table on the beach.

The whale watching trips are guided by Anantara’s expert guides who are knowledgeable about marine life and Mozambique’s ocean. Whale watching can be combined with dolphin watching, which is possible all year round. An excellent alternative to diving, dolphin watching gives guests the opportunity to go on an ocean safari and get up close with the dolphins in their natural element, not to mention other marine life, such as whale sharks and turtles.

The Journey of the Whales experience at Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort is available from USD 1,259 per night and includes:

• Accommodation for two people in a Beach Villa
• Three-hour whale watching excursion
• A picnic lunch at Pansy Island with a snorkelling experience
• Complimentary non-motorised water sports
• Daily buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner for every night stayed
• Complimentary in-room minibar
• One dhow cruise per stay
• Return boat transfers between Vilanculos and Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort