Whales arrive in Plettenberg Bay for Whale Season
Amidst a fortnight of winter storms followed by calm, clear days, photos and videos are popping up all over social media of the first migrating whales of the Whale Season in Plettenberg Bay have made their presence known in a most spectacular fashion.
In a recent article by international publication Woman & Home, Plettenberg Bay was named among the best destinations in the world for whale watching and it would be difficult to argue: The coastline offers dramatic viewpoints from which to spot and Blue Flag beaches along which to stroll as the whales frolic in the bay. The town also has two licenced whale-watching boat operators, Ocean Safaris and Ocean Blue Adventures, for visitors to enjoy safe, non-invasive encounters with the world’s largest mammals on a marine safari. Also to be sighted are bottlenose dolphins, Bryde’s whales, the endangered humpback dolphin and, less frequently, common dolphin and orcas.
Visitors enjoying a meal at the popular seaside restaurant, Lookout Deck were treated to more than a meal as a young whale breached repeatedly just metres from the rocks while spotters on Robberg were left in awe as a mother and calf slowly swam past beneath their vantage point.
Some sightings
Plett Tourism CEO, Patty Butterworth, “We are pleased to see our migrating whales and other ocean guests return for another season in our sheltered bay. And, with new insights gained from marine biologists at the Plett Ocean Festival’s Marine Science Symposium, we hope that they continue to thrive. Plett is a recognised Whale Heritage Area due to responsible tourism practices, environmental awareness and community involvement in preserving our natural heritage.”
Plettenberg Bay is one of just ten sites in the world recognised as a Whale Heritage Area by the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA). The WCA explains on their website: “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.
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.”
Find out more about Whale Watching in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
