Welcome the Whales – Plett Whale Season 2025 arrives with a splash
Plettenberg Bay, South Africa – June in Plettenberg Bay traditionally heralds the eagerly anticipated arrival of the season’s first migrating whales, with sightings frequently shared across social media platforms.
On June 3rd, 2025, the local conservation organization, Orca Foundation, officially announced their inaugural sighting of migrating Southern Right Whales for the whale season. Since this initial observation, these magnificent marine mammals have been a prominent and dynamic presence in the bay.
Premier Whale Watching in a Pristine Setting
Plettenberg Bay’s coastline offers unparalleled viewpoints from which to observe whales, complemented by six Blue Flag beaches that invite leisurely strolls while whales engage in their natural behaviors within the bay. The town has earned global recognition as a premier whale-watching destination, featuring two licensed boat operators: Ocean Safaris and Ocean Blue Adventures. These operators provide visitors with opportunities for safe, non-invasive encounters with the world’s largest mammals on expertly guided marine safaris.
The primary species encountered during Plett’s whale season include the Southern Right Whale and the highly acrobatic Humpback Whale. Additionally, the waters are home to bottlenose dolphins, resident Bryde’s whales, the endangered humpback dolphin, and, less frequently, common dolphins and orcas.
A Recognized Whale Heritage Area
Plettenberg Bay recently marked its second anniversary as one of only ten global sites recognised as a Whale Heritage Area by the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA). As articulated by the WCA, “Whale Heritage Areas promote truly responsible whale and dolphin watching, supporting and promoting tourism that is sensitive to the environment, the welfare of the animals involved, and the livelihoods of local communities.” This designation underscores Plett’s commitment to sustainable tourism and marine conservation.
Welcoming the Whales at the Plett Ocean Festival
Plettenberg Bay will formally welcome the whales at the opening of the Plett Ocean Festival, scheduled from July 4th to 13th, 2025. On 5th July, the ocean festivities get under way with a beach clean-up organised by CapeNature and Lookout Deck, painting a travelling mural, and, at the opening ceremony at Market Off Main, the unveiling of a poignant mother and calf sculpture by Malcolm Solomon.
The party will then take a dive back to Lookout Deck for a magical undersea event after dark, Deep Blue with a +Geluk electronic music experience. The following 9 days of the festival include the popular Wedge Classic bodyboarding contest, the Marine Science Symposium – aimed at interested and curious citizen scientists – rocky shore excursions, sand sculpting, scuba diving, marine safaris and more…
Patty Butterworth, CEO of Plett Tourism, commented, “We are delighted to witness the return of our migrating whales and other ocean guests for another season in our sheltered bay. With new insights anticipated from marine biologists at the Plett Ocean Festival’s Marine Science Symposium, we are optimistic for their continued prosperity. Plett’s recognition as a Whale Heritage Area is a testament to our responsible tourism practices, robust environmental awareness, and deep community involvement in preserving our invaluable natural heritage.”
For more information on whale watching opportunities in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa, or to learn more about the Plett Ocean Festival and Marine Science Symposium, please visit www.plettoceanfestival.co.za.
