SA HOTEL - WHALE WATCHING

The biggest mammal on earth, the whale gives birth to live young, with an average length of 6m at birth. During their 90 to 100 years the calves grow 3cm a day, Southern White Whales can grow up to 18 m weighing an average of about 50 to 80 tons compared to the Blue Whales 80m Calves will drink up to 600 litres of milk per day. Once in the Antartic, they eat 1000kgs of copepods / krill per day. Whales are large brained and sensitive creatures with a strong bond formed between mother and calf. Each whale has individual rough growths on the bodies with distinctive patterns.

WHALE TERMINOLOGY

Breaching: Whales can push 2/3 of their body out of the water in a graceful leap, falling back into the water with a splash. When they are seen moving out of the water vertically with their heads in the air, this is called spy hopping.

Lobtailing: slapping the water they made loud clapping noises, this could be to communicate a warning to sharks, or a form of social communication.

Grunting: Whales often grunt, a loud bellowing sound,

Lobtailing: slapping the water they made loud clapping noises, this could be to communicate a warning to sharks, or a form of social communication.

WHALE WATCHING

With all nine of the whale species coming past the Southern African shores, the most common is the Southern Right Whale.

The Southern Right Whale can be identified by its V- shaped blow. Most common is the magnificent Southern White Whale en route on its migration from the antartic. The name is derived sadly because these were the "right" whales for killing, rich in oil and baleen, they were slow and floated after killing, making the hunt much easier. Commercial Whale Hunting started at the end of the 18th century. At the beginning of the second world war only 200-300 of these whales had survived and with the Northern Right Whale now virtually extinct, Whaling had moved to the antartic waters as it was not profitable off shore anymore. Today this whale is heralded for 2 reasons, being on the forefront of saving the whales and for the tourists that it attracts. Today, thanks to extensive efforts that were nearly too late, nearly 7000 whales have survived, of which approx 2000 of them are in South African waters. Normally inhabiting the sub antartic waters between 30' to 55' Towards the end of July the whales are coming back from the antartic for calving and mating in the warmer and safer waters. Whale tours are frequently conducted from boats.

Although protected from hunting there is still the very real threat of pollution and ships. The Ocean Alliance is an active organisation in the protection of the species. As quoted by Edmund Burke "nobody did worse than he who did nothing for fear he could do only little"

Whales can be spotted between the months of July to December in Cape Town, South Africa. The best viewing time is generally perceived as August till October.

WHALE SPOTS

Place: De Kelders- a small little town between Gansbaai and Hermanus.
Accommodation: The Beach House at Sandown Bay 3 star hotel and in the heart of South Africas Floral kingdom. Accommodation with 10km of pristine beach and close to Stony point and Penguin colony. The De Hoop and Bontebok Nature Reserves also the Harold Pater Botanical Gardens. Whales can also be seen from the hotels own beautiful beach.

Place: False Bay - Here you are likely to see - the Southern Right Whale, Humpback Dolphin, Dusky Dolphin, Bryde's Whale although less frequently.
Accommodation: Simon's Town Quayside Hotel, staffed by professionals with every guest an individual, this hotel is part of the SA Hotel Group and with in easy distance of the Cape Town attractions. Luxury four star accommodation on the edge of Simon's Town Yacht Basin.

Place: Fish Hoek- 30 mins outside Cape Town this little Sea side village in False Bay. Also with a beautiful beach, surfing, sand boarding and good restaurants with plenty of sea food, this is a town with its own tourist attractions.
Accommodation: Simon's Town Quayside Hotel, staffed by professionals with every guest an individual, this hotel is part of the SA Hotel Group and with in easy distance of the Cape Town attractions. Luxury four star accommodation on the edge of Simon's Town Yacht Basin.

Place: Simons Town - this classic town rich in history and culture, is found in False Bay with in easy distance from Cape Town, with whales, Penguins, and seals, world heritage bird life and deep sea fishing. There are regular sightings of whales between June and October mostly Southern Right Whales.
Accommodation: Simon's Town Quayside Hotel, staffed by professionals with every guest an individual, this hotel is part of the SA Hotel Group and with in easy distance of the Cape Town attractions. Luxury four star accommodationon the edge of Simon's Town Yacht Basin

Place: Hermanus which is approximately 1,5 hours away from Cape Town is the Heart of the Whale Coast. From a rustic fishermans village to a village rated as one of the12 best land whale- watching spots in the world, the whales can come with between 60 - 100 whales coming to within 10 m off the shore. To see are the Southern Right Whales, Bryde's Whales, Bottlenose and Common Dolphin. Best places for sightings would be Dreunkrans, the cliff top pathway between Ficks Pool and the New Harbour which is about 12km along the shore and the terraces above the old Harbour. Join us for the Moby Dick Festival every September with music, faires, theatres and sporting events. Enough for an exciting family holiday.
Accommodation: Simon's Town Quayside Hotel : A short scenic drive along the coast will bring you to this 4 star hotel with excellent accommodation where the staff is professional and the care special, the hotel is excellent.

Place: Hout Bay named after the thick forest lining the slopes before the housing took its place, Hout Bay (wood bay) is known for the Southern Right Whale, Humpback Dolphins, Cape Fur Seals off Duiker Island, Heaviside Dolphins and rarely Killer Whales. Follow Chapman's Peak Road for the sighting. Hermanus also boasts beautiful beaches for swimming and walking, restaurants and eateries offer any thing from breakfast to dining out, and shopping at art craft and décor shops. With nearby mountains offering scenery and hikes.
Accommodation Bantry Bay Luxury Suites - This hotel is in a central location within easy access to the city centre, V&A waterfront and to Hout Bay. In the heart of the Platinum Mile this hotel offers luxury hotel suites and semi suites, there is also a hotel boardroom available for up to 12 persons with internet and other facilities available. Leisure Bay Luxury Suites : a view with 4 star luxury suites with a view of Table Mountain and only sea facing suites. Perfect for functions, the hotels reastaurant is sheltered and can take up to 35 indoor guests and 20 outdoor guests

Place: Table Bay : The Bay easily identifiable with its backdrop of Table Mountain, one of the most popular tourist destinations with one of the best spots for whale watching along Victoria drive between Camps Bay and Llundudno, Blouberg Beach, Mouille Point Lighthouse and Sea Point Esplanade.
Accommodation Bantry Bay Hotel - This hotel is in a central location within easy access to the city centre, V&A waterfront and to Houtbay. In the heart of the Platinum Mile this hotel offers luxury hotel suites and semi suites, there is also a hotel boardroom available for up to 12 persons with internet and other facilities available.

Place: Leisure Bay Luxury Suites : a view with 4 star luxury suites with a view of Table Mountain and only sea facing suites. Perfect for functions, the hotels reastaurant is sheltered and can take up to 35 indoor guests and 20 outdoor guests

Whale watching Weather: Cape Town has winter rains, and other attractions are often being repaired eg Cable way, which is important when planning your holiday. A rain mac could come in handy and a bottle of sunblock to ensure a comfortable holiday.