Notes

  • Nature does not take any orders from mortal man. Patience will pay off!
  • A good pair of binoculars is a prerequisite and a good investment.
  • A phone-call to the relevant information office beforehand, can save a lot of disappointment.

The towns in the area are well-known for their excellent seafood. Carpe diem while you are there!

Day 1

Morning: Yzerfontein

The Southern Right and Humpback whales visit Yzerfontein in groups of 8-10 between June and December. The cows calve in the calm waters in and around Yzerfontein. There are a number of look-out points: at the main beach, above the harbour in Arum Crescent, at Schaapen Island and the nature garden on top of the hill. Seating and information boards have been erected at these sites.

Afternoon: West Coast National Park

The park is not only the site of the oldest anatomically modern fossilized human footprint, but Whales (mainly Southern Right) and dolphins (mainly Heaviside) are regularly seen along the shore of the West Coast Peninsula from August to February/March. The main areas are as follows: Atlantic View Point, Tzaarsbank, Plankiesbaai, Saldanha Bay and in the Lagoon up to Schaapen Island. Seating and information boards have been erected at these sites which are accessible by foot and car.

Evening: Paternoster

Dine at one of Paternoster’s fine Restaurants.

Day 2

Morning: Paternoster

Paternoster is well known as a whale-watching point. The best time for watching is between August and the end of December. Since Paternoster does not have a jetty, it would be best to watch them directly from the sandy beaches of Paternoster Bay, whether at Voorstrand or Mosselbank beach.
The Cape Columbine Nature Reserve is also a frequently visited place and the rocks give many opportunities to get closer to the whales. Kayak in Paternoster as well as The Beach Camp situated in the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve offers kayak trips to get close to these huge mammals.
Tamaryn rock in front of Mosselbank beach is a turning point for the kayaks and you are likely to see dolphins all year round.

Afternoon: St Helena Bay

On the West Coast we are privileged to see a number of different species of cetaceans in our nutrient-rich waters fed by the cold Benguela current. Amongst them are Southern Right whales, Humpback whales, Brydeís whales, Common dolphins, Killer whales, Heaviside dolphins, and Dusky dolphins. St Helena Bay is an excellent viewpoint to behold these creatures. The area, however is also notorious for mass strandings.

Evening: Paternoster

Dine at one of Paternoster’s fine Restaurants.