From June to November, southern right whale swim in South Africa’s waters from the Cape as far north as Kwa Zulu Natal. They come here to calf, and Hermanus in particular is widely regarded as one of the best whale watching destinations in the world. Often, the pods of whale are visible from the cliffs and beaches, but to get close to the whale as they breach, fluke, and spout, the best thing to do is to take a boat ride out into deeper waters. The size of these impressive mammals and their agility is truly incredible.
The same waters are home to great white shark, an animal which Hollywood has given a bad name. Yes, you don’t want to become shark bait, but there are plenty of ways to watch them safely. For a real adrenaline kick, you can even go cage diving with the shark just outside Cape Town.
South Africa has multiple kinds of turtle, including leatherback, loggerhead, green, and hawksbill turtle. Many of the turtle nest within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu Natal, which is an important conservation site.
