Southern right whales are the most frequently seen whales within False Bay. These whales use the extreme coastal waters of the south western Cape coast , including False Bay, as calving and nursery grounds and may be seen just metres from the shore. The whales start arriving in the bay at the end of May and remain in the region up until the end of November. Peak month is October. Although approaching whales from boats within 300 metres is prohibited in South Africa, many land-based vantage points provide excellent views of southern right whales.
Other whales that can be seen within False Bay (although less frequently than southern right whales) include Bryde's whales, humpback whales and killer whales. Dolphin species in the region include bottlenose dolphins on the east side and dusky dolphins on the west side.
WEST FALSE BAY
The Muizenberg - Simon's Town coastal road, Boyes Drive above St James and Kalk Bay and the coastal road from Simon's Town to Cape Point frequently provide outstanding whale watching on the west side of the bay, with southern rights often within metres from the shore. In particular the coastal walkway from Muizenberg to St James (past Baylie's Cottage), the Kalk Bay Harbour Wall, the walkways at Fish Hoek including the catwalk can give excellent views. Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek and Muizenberg were all sites of open boat whaling stations in the past.
Boulders Beach, Simon's Town, is also home to a colony of Jackass Penguins.
EAST FALSE BAY
The coastal road from Gordon's Bay to Cape Hangklip (the eastern most point of False Bay) provides outstanding views of southern right wales. Just south of Cape Hangklip is Stony Point, a historical site of the Hangklip whaling station and presently also home to a Jackass Penguin colony.
THE ATLANTIC COAST
The coastline from Yzerfontein to Cape Point provides numerous points from which southern right whales may be sighted. Other species which may be found in this region include dusky dolphin, Heaviside's dolphin (which is endemic to the west coast of southern Africa) and the occasional sighting of humpback whale slightly further offshore. The coastal road between Sea Point and Scarborough takes you through Hout Bay and over Chapman's Peak which provides one of the finest sea views in the Western Cape. Good sites for whale spotting can be found all along this region.
Hout Bay is also home to a seal colony at Duikerklip just outside the bay. Boat trips to the seals can be taken from Hout Bay Harbour.
WHALE VIEWING - DIFFERENT BEHAVIOURS
Southern right whales have a variety of behaviours that can be observed when they are close to shore. For example:
Breaching: leaping out of the water in an arching back flip and falling into the water. This may be a form of play, communication, or an aggressive display. Whales usually breach four or five times in a row.
Lobtailing: slapping their flukes on the surface, creaing a sound which carries for a considerable distance.
Spyhopping: standing vertically with head and body, as far as the flippers, above the surface. This enables the whale to have a clear view of its surroundings.
Blowing: exhaling and then inhaling through the blowholes when surfacing.
Grunting: emitting a roaring sound which can be heard 1-2km away (especially at night).
Mating: Often a group of whales may be observed interacting within an area, this is usually a mating session. Several males will attempt to mate with a single female.
Source: Cape Town Accommodation
