Southern Right whales migrate into the extreme coastal waters off the Western Cape each year to calve, nurse their young and mate.

The humpback whales are seen as they migrate along our coast between May and November en-route to their feeding and breeding grounds off Mozambique and Angola.

Bryde's whales are found further offshore in False Bay all year round, and the orca ("killer" whale) is also occasionally seen. Heaviside's and dusky dolphins are found in the colder waters on the western side of the Peninsula, and bottlenose, common and humpback dolphins on the eastern (False Bay) side.

It is illegal to approach within 300 m of whales by boat, kayak, ski-boat, aircraft or any other means without a permit. Boat-based whale watching has recently become legal in South Africa, but only for the few operators that have been issued boat based whale watching permits.

The southern right makes use of extreme coastal waters along the southern and south-eastern coastal region of the Cape, and sometimes as far north as southern KwaZulu-Natal. The KwaZulu Natal whale season starts on July 1 and continues until November.

South Africa retains its position as the fifth fastest growing whale- watching destination in the world.Only 16 permits have been issued countrywide to ensure regulation of the industry and minimum intrusion on the whales who come to the warmer waters of the south to mate.

What you might see there: Humpbacks, southern rights, Bryde's whales, orcas
When to go: July to November
Viewing options: Shoreline, boat