Whale watching in Plettenberg Bay
Which whales come into the bay, when, and where to stand to see them.
When to see whales in Plett
Whale season in Plettenberg Bay runs from about June to November. Southern right whales come into the bay to calve and rest, humpback whales pass on their migration, and Bryde’s whales and dolphins can be seen all year.
| Species | Months | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Southern right whale | June to November | Broad black back with no dorsal fin, a V-shaped blow, often close inshore with a calf |
| Humpback whale | Mainly June to November, a few in May and December | Long white flippers, breaching and tail slapping, travelling in small groups |
| Bryde’s whale | All year | Slim and fast, a small curved dorsal fin, usually seen briefly while feeding |
| Bottlenose dolphin | All year | Schools riding the surf line along the beaches |
| Orca | Occasional | A rare visitor. Count yourself lucky. |
Watching from land
Plett is a good town for watching whales from land, because it sits on high ground above a wide, sheltered bay.
- Robberg Nature Reserve. The cliff paths look straight down on the water. See our Robberg guide.
- Signal Hill and the lookout points above town. A wide view over the whole bay.
- Above Lookout Beach. Good for southern rights resting behind the surf.
Bring binoculars and give it half an hour. Look for the blow first, then the back.
Watching from a boat
In South Africa, boats may not approach whales closely without a permit, and only a few permits are issued for each area. In Plettenberg Bay, close-approach whale watching is done by dedicated, licensed whale-watching boats that launch from Central Beach.
Our seal boats are not whale-watching boats. We keep our distance from whales and never pursue them. If you want a trip built around whales and dolphins, ask at our office and we will point you to a permitted operator.
Whales on a seal trip
From about June to November, whales are often somewhere in the bay while we are crossing it. One guest put it this way in a review: “We also got lucky and saw other dolphins (up close) and a whale (from a distance).” That is about right. Treat a whale as a bonus, and the seals as the certainty.
In June and early July, when seal swims pause, the seal viewing trip is the one to book. It is also the height of whale season.
Sources
Last checked 10 October 2026.
Whale questions
What is the best time for whale watching in Plettenberg Bay?
July to October is the heart of the season. Southern right whales are in the bay from about June to November. Humpbacks pass on migration over the same months, with a few early travellers in May and late ones in December.
Where can you see whales in Plettenberg Bay?
From land, try the cliff paths at Robberg, Signal Hill above town and the higher ground behind Lookout Beach. From the sea, go with a licensed whale-watching boat from Central Beach.
Is it better to go whale watching in the morning or the afternoon?
Whales are around all day. Mornings often have less wind, which makes blows and backs easier to spot and the ride smoother.
Will I see whales on a seal trip?
Sometimes, in season. Seal trips go to the colony rather than looking for whales, and we do not approach whales, but they share the bay and guests often see them on the ride. Dolphins are more regular company.
Seals guaranteed, whales possible
Seal trips run daily from Central Beach at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00.