Whale Watching in Cape Town: Your Guide to an Amazing Marine Encounter
Cape Town is one of the best places in the world for whale watching. There’s nothing quite like seeing the massive southern right whales gliding gracefully just above the waves, a breathtaking sight that once felt like something you'd only see on TV or read about in books. Of course, spotting these gentle giants doesn’t happen every day; timing and location matter.
That’s why this guide to whale watching Cape Town is here to help. From the best months to visit to the top harbors for whale sightings, you’ll find everything you need to plan a trip that gives you the best chance of seeing southern right whales, humpback whales, and more—up close and unforgettable. Keep reading!
Best 5 Whale Watching Places in Cape Town 2025
The city of Cape Town is surrounded by the sea on all sides. Whichever direction you go, you're likely to run into whales. But if you're hoping for the best views, these five places are the most popular and highly recommended for an unforgettable whale-watching experience.
False Bay
False Bay is located on the eastern side of the Cape Peninsula and is leeward of the prevailing westerly winds. If you are starting your Cape Town whale watching tour in the winter, you may be able to catch southern right and humpback whales here. Bryde's whales are visible here all year round.
Table Bay
The best destination for whale watching boat trips Cape Town is Table Bay. You can reach Table Bay, Robben Island and the Atlantic coast straight from the waterfront. Plus, there are also plenty of whale-watching opportunities from the shore in these areas. For the most comfortable experience, it’s better to visit in summer, as winter here can get pretty chilly with cold fronts rolling in.
Simonstown
Turn your attention to the south side of Cape Town, home to Simon's Town, a town with a long history of whaling. As you head out here, you'll pass a long coastal highway. This road is home to many of the best whale watching Cape Town spots. You can get a great view of Kalk Bay from high up here, as well as other viewing spots. Continuing south, you will reach the Cape of Good Hope.
Hout Bay
Let's turn in another direction and see the west side of Cape Town. Come to Hout Bay, and you will see one of the most beautiful coastlines. You can safely enter here and moor your boat. Not only is Hout Bay great for whale watching, there will be dolphins as well.
Chapman’s Peak
The Chapman's Peak Drive is one of the world’s most spectacular coastal roads. Spanning nine kilometres along the cliffs just south of Hout Bay, it isn’t a dedicated whalewatching site—but its scenic viewpoints offer sweeping ocean vistas where southern right whales can sometimes be spotted close to shore, especially during the prime season from June to November.
Best Time for Whale Watching in Cape Town
Different species of whales have different seasons and months of the year, depending on their life and reproduction habits. This section will show the best time to see southern right whales, humpback whales and Bryde's whales respectively. Find out what months are better for you to start your journey.
Southern Right Whales
Between June and November each year, large numbers of southern right whales migrate from the Southern Ocean to the coast of South Africa, where they give birth and nurse their calves. September through October is the period when this population is at its highest, making this the whale watching Cape Town best time of year.
Table Bay also experiences a peak in the frequency of Southern Right Whale sightings between February and March.
Humpback Whales
Generally, visitors can see humpback whales throughout the year. However, they are subject to migratory and foraging activities during certain months. At this time there is a possibility of forming very large groups.
Migrating Humpback Whales: Migrating humpback whales move north in May, June and July. They return between October and December when they pass through the Cape Coast.
Feeding Humpback Whales: Humpback whales may congregate in large numbers to feed between November and February. You can observe them on the west coast between Cape Point and St. Helena Bay.
Bryde’s Whales
The Bryde whale frequents South African waters all year round, so you don't need to pick a particular month to see it. If you want more insurance, pick late summer to see them. They will be out feeding around False Bay at this time.
Tips for a Successful Whale Watching Experience
Preparing everything in advance will make your Cape Town whale watching tours and outdoor recreation go especially smoothly. Whether it's your first time on the water or you're carrying plenty of experience, there are a few things you should definitely look out for. Here are some tips for whale watching.
1. Preventing the Onset of Seasickness
No one can confirm whether they are seasick or not without being on a boat. Therefore, it is best for you to know the triggers of seasickness in advance and prepare medication or food to alleviate the symptoms.
2. Bring Enough Food
Most cruise ships will allow you to bring food and drinks. Alcoholic beverages and glass water bottles may not be allowed, though. You can check in advance.
3. Wear Multiple Layers of Clothing
The climate at sea is changeable, so try to put on as many layers as possible that are easy to put on and take off to prevent getting sick from the sea breeze.
4. Bring All Your Equipment
Remember to carry binoculars and sunglasses. They will ensure that you can see the whales from any distance. Also, have a camera ready to record the magnificent scenery. Don't forget to use sunscreen.
5. Make Sure You Have Enough Power
On a sea trip lasting several hours, your device may run out of power. You can carry some power storage devices like a portable power station. That’s where something like the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max Portable Power Station really comes in handy. It has a capacity of up to 6,144 watt-hours, yet it’s compact enough to toss in the car for a family trip without a second thought.
Carrying the EcoFlow 400W Portable Solar Panel is also a great option if you decide to head to a beach with a brilliant sun for whale watching. It can generate electricity from solar power, offering a conversion efficiency of up to 23%. The device will help you quickly charge every power-hungry device.
6. Keep an Eye on the Kids
If you're taking your kids whale watching, make sure they don't wander off the boat. Don't let them stand on the side of the boat or on the benches to avoid accidentally falling overboard. Also, don't let your children sit on your shoulders because you are in a hurry to let them see the whales - it's dangerous for both you and your children.
Also, if you decide to stay at the seaside, be sure to learn more about family beach tips before your trip.
Conclusion
A whale watching Cape Town tour may be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. To make the trip perfect, plan around the best places and times recommended in this article. Be sure to read every tip here carefully—knowing every detail well in advance and packing thoroughly will help you and your family avoid potential risks.
FAQs
When can you see whales in Cape Town?
You can see Bryde's whales out here all year round. You'll see tons of southern right whales from June through October each year. May, June, and July are great times to see humpback whales.
Is whale watching in Cape Town worth it?
Yes, well worth it. There are whales here all year round and in large numbers. The view of the beach is also absolutely amazing. Averaged out to everyone, whale watching Cape Town prices aren’t too expensive. It depends on what program you pick.
Which month is best for whale watching in South Africa?
The best time for whale watching is in June/November each year. During this period, you will see large numbers of breeding southern right whales. Humpback whales also begin their migration at this time.