Whilst whale watching boat trips are considered the highlight of any whale watching expedition, there are certain conservation issues involved. Some environmentalists suggest there is strong evidence that this method of whale watching affects the biology and ecology of whales and dolphins.
Did you know? Noise close to shore, like that produced by industry and motorboat activity, may disturb whales.
Whales have intensely acute hearing and touch, and environmental campaigners are more than a little concerned with the 'quick buck' mentality of boat owners who disregard local regulations (those who get closer than the prescribed 300m without a permit, or who exhibit reckless behaviour like approaching the whales without killing their engines, or relentlessly pursuing them).
Noise close to shore, like that produced by industry and motorboat activity, may disturb whales. As does the release of untreated sewerage effluent or chemical pollutants into the sea.
In South Africa boats must observe the 300m specification if close to whales without a permit. And even with one, they should not venture closer than 50m. When within 300m of any whale, boats must move at 'no wake' speed and move at less than 10 knots, with no sudden changes in speed or direction. They may also not spend longer than 30 minutes within 300m of any whale.
Around 27 permits have been issued for BBWW around the country's coastline.
By regulating the attraction, whales are allowed certain sanctuary in our waters. However the whales themselves break the legal specifications, sometimes swimming within metres of a stationary boat. By law licensed boats should move away at the first given opportunity.
Cultural / Miscellaneous / Uniquely South African
Hermanus on the Cape Whale Coast has its very own whale crier, and, what’s more, Hermanus lays claim to the only whale crier in the world. The popular town of Hermanus, connected directly to the Mother City by the R43 and N2, is famous for whale ...
Activities / Popular Tourist Routes / Whale Route
The Whale Route begins in Cape Town and follows the particularly pretty R44, also known as Clarence Drive, through the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. It is a popular drive that easily rivals Chapman's Peak in Cape Town as one of the most scenic in the ...
Landmarks / Museums
As the acclaimed home of the whales between around June and December, Hermanus celebrates these cetaceans in many ways, not least of all at the Whale House Museum. Here, the mysteries of their behaviour, migration, diet, reproduction and ...
Activities / Miscellaneous / Whale Route
Walker Bay – heart of the whale coast. The waters between Hermanus and Pearly Beach attract hundreds of whales annually to the shallow waters of this coastline, also known as the whale coast. Daily sightings of these giant beasts of the sea, certainly in ...
Want to go whale watching in South Africa? South Africa is known as one of the best places in the world for whale watching. Explore our 'whale watching' pages below to find out when, where and how to see the whales in South Africa...
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