Whale watching - An Overview

Increasing numbers of whales visit De Hoop

The Southern Right whale spends the summer months in the far Southern Ocean feeding close to Antarctica and migrates north in winter for warm-water breeding. The fidelity of the females to safe feeding and calving habitats brings these mammals in increasing numbers to the De Hoop region. The mother passes these instincts onto her calves which results in visitors being able to view this transient population of literally hundreds of whales that visit De Hoop shores annually.

The importance of the De Hoop Marine Reserve

The reserve includes 70 km of rugged coastline and sandy beaches. One of the highlights of this locale is undoubtedly that it is one of the best whale viewing sites on the globe. In addition, the De Hoop Marine Reserve is one of the world’s most important calving grounds for the southern right whale and an important nursery area from which depleted angling species such as galjoen are replenished. The area also has numerous dive sites where some have been lucky enough to encounter whale sharks.

Seven whale species can be spotted off the coast of De Hoop but it is predominantly the Southern Right whale that makes it home during June to November. The less common Bryde’s whale and the rare humpback have also made appearances although they are much harder to spot. The whales come in to mate and calve in the warm safety of this marine reserve before heading off with their young to the cooler Antarctic region in December. Guests and conservationists have spotted upwards of 200 at a time ‘sailing’ (sticking their tails out of the water) or ‘spy hopping’ (pushing their noses out) and it is for this reason that the De Hoop Reserve in South Africa has earned the reputation for being one of the world's best land based whale-watching areas.