What Marine Mammals can you see in Cape Town, South Africa?
If you are looking for an amazing marine wildlife watching destination, look no further than Cape Town, South Africa. This beautiful city is home to marine mammals from dolphins to whales, cape fur seals and even Otter. The best time of year to see marine mammals in Cape Town depends on the species you're hoping to spot.
Dolphins
Dolphins can be seen year-round in the waters off Cape Town.
Among the many interesting dolphins that can be seen in Cape Town, South Africa, is the Heaviside's dolphin. This diminutive creature is one of the rarest dolphins in the world, and is easily distinguished by its small size and distinctive coloration. Heaviside's dolphins are dark gray or black on top, with a light gray or white belly. They typically grow to about six feet in length, making them the smallest dolphin species in the area. These playful animals can often be seen riding the waves near the shore, and are known to interact with humans.
Another interesting dolphin species that can be seen in Cape Town is the bottlenose dolphin. These dolphins are much larger than Heaviside's dolphins, growing to about twelve feet in length. They are also more social creatures, often traveling in large pods. Bottlenose dolphins are gray or bluish-gray on top, with a white belly. They are very acrobatic animals, and are often seen leaping out of the water.
Finally, another intriguing dolphin species that calls Cape Town home is the humpbacked dolphin. These dolphins are named for their large dorsal fins, which give them a humped appearance when they swim. They are dark gray or black. Common Dolphins are another species encountered more regularly in the Summer months, November - May. These are primarily fast-swimming offshore dolphins that can form super groups with 1000's of individuals traveling together. These fast, sleek hunters are exciting to watch as they move through the ocean on the search for food.
Whales
(Psst.. our founder, Justin, had the privilege of working on this remarkable sequence!)
Whales migrate to the area between June and November. If you're interested in seeing whales, some up to 18metres in length and weighing more than 80 tons, then the best time to visit is between June and November. This is when Humpback and Southern Right whales migrate to our waters to give birth.
Species you can readily encounter include southern right whales, Bryde's whales, Orca and humpback whales. Southern right whales can grow up to 18 meters long and weigh over 100 tons and can be seen year-round in the waters off Cape Town, but they are most commonly seen between June and November when large numbers arrive in Cape Town to calve in the sheltered bays. So if you're looking for an amazing wildlife experience, be sure to add whale watching to your itinerary when you visit Cape Town.
Bryde's whales can also be seen in the area, although they are less common than southern right whales. These moderate-sized whales can reach lengths of 12 meters and weigh up to 35 tons.. Humpback whales are typically seen in Cape Town between June and November. During this time, they migrate from their feeding grounds in Antarctica to their breeding grounds off the coast of Africa. These massive mammals can grow up to 16 meters long and weigh as much as 40 tons. There is an annual migration of younger male Humpback whales that form a playful superpod as they move down the West coast of South Africa, made famous by this Netflix sequence that our founder, Justin, had the privilege of working on.
Orcas, also known as killer whales, are the largest member of the dolphin family. Cape Town's famous pair - Port and Starboard - are known to be shark hunters, blamed for the disappearance of sharks from certain areas of South Africa. When catching shark species such as great white, seven gill and bronze whaler sharks, normally eating on their liver and heart. They are easily recognizable by their black-and-white coloration and prominent dorsal fin. Orcas are found in all oceans around the world, and typically live in groups, or pods, of around 40 individuals. Though they are most commonly associated with the open ocean, orcas will occasionally venture into coastal waters in search of food.
Seals
Cape fur seals can be seen year-round on the beaches, harbours, and in the water, making them one of the most accessible (and cute!) marine mammals in Cape Town. Elephant seals, such as our yearly visitor, 'Buffel' can be spotted on Duiker island every year, normally from November - April.
No matter what time of year you visit Cape Town, you're sure to have an amazing wildlife watching experience. With its abundance of marine mammals, this beautiful city is a must-visit destination for any nature lover. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today.
So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today!
Looking to book a tour? We offer a wide variety of tours that will allow you to see the best of Cape Town's marine wildlife.
Contact us today and we'll be happy to answer all your questions and help you plan the perfect vacation. We hope to see you soon in Cape Town.
What are some of your favorite marine animals? Let us know in the comments below.
