Posted on Monday July 1, 2019
The most asked question in June is “Are there whales in Hermanus?”
The short answer is, Yes!
The first trip of our 2019 season was on the 4th June, and we can happily say that since then we have seen good mix of marine life out there. We have been lucky enough to see whales and/or dolphins on all of our trips this past month with some being ‘National Geographic’ experiences.
Since early June, we have seen Southern Right whales slowly make their way into Walker bay from their feeding grounds, as well as regularly spotting Humpback whales, as they make their way further up the coast to the warmer, Indian Ocean waters.
Feeding Brydes whales are filling up nicely on local fish stocks, with the same fish attracting dolphins in their hundreds, if not thousands!
The socialite Common dolphins have really been ‘showing off’ as they play in the wake of the boat and flip and glide in the waves, whilst Bottlenose and Humpback dolphins have also been spotted.
Whale watching trips out during the winter months are great for birding, with one exciting trip we were able to witness a Shy Albatross hovering over the boat as if to pose for the cameras. Sub Antarctic Skuas are seen regularly along with Sooty Shearwaters, southern giant & white chin petrels, Cape Gannets – to name but a few.
June really brings a smorgasbord of species to our shores, whether it be whales, fish or bird life. What we will encounter on a trip is anyone’s guess and we leave it up to Mother Nature to surprise us.
Month Highlights
- Arrival of the Southern Right Whales
- Several trips seeing all 3 species of whale that can be encountered in the area.
- Southern Right, Humpback and Brydes whales plus Common, Bottlenose and Humpback dolphins – all spotted during in 1 trip (27th June 2019)
