15/06/2026
🐋DID YOU KNOW? 🐋
Fun Facts About the Southern Right Whales That Visit the Cape Every Winter
Each year, from June to November, some of the largest animals on Earth return to the waters of the Western Cape. Southern Right Whales migrate thousands of kilometers from their feeding grounds near Antarctica to the sheltered bays and coastlines of South Africa, creating one of nature's most spectacular annual events.
For visitors to Gordon's Bay and the Cape Whale Coast, winter offers an incredible opportunity to witness these gentle giants in their natural environment.
😎Fun Facts About Southern Right Whales
🐋 Southern Right Whales can grow up to 17 metres long – longer than a city bus.
🐋 Adults can weigh as much as 60 tonnes.
🐋 They migrate thousands of kilometers from Antarctica to South Africa each year.
🐋 A newborn calf can weigh up to 1 tonne at birth.
🐋 Calves can drink more than 100 litres of milk every day.
🐋 Southern Right Whales often return to the same coastal regions year after year.
🐋 Once hunted to near extinction, they are now considered one of the world's greatest marine conservation success stories.
🐋 Whale season in the Western Cape generally runs from June to November.
🚗Start Your Whale-Watching Journey in Gordon's Bay
Gordon's Bay is perfectly positioned as a gateway to the Cape Whale Coast. During whale season, visitors regularly spot whales in the waters of False Bay, while the surrounding coastline offers some of the most spectacular ocean views in South Africa.
The town is also the starting point of the famous Clarence Drive scenic route, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world.
📆Make a Day of It
Just 45 minutes from Gordon's Bay lies Hermanus, one of the world's most celebrated whale-watching destinations and an important nursery area for Southern Right Whales.
The journey along Clarence Drive is an attraction in itself. The route winds along dramatic mountainsides and rugged coastline, offering numerous lookout points where whales can often be spotted from shore.
Along the way, visitors can stop at Betty's Bay to visit the famous Stony Point Penguin Colony, home to one of the largest breeding colonies of African Penguins in South Africa.
A day trip from Gordon's Bay to Hermanus and back combines breathtaking scenery, whale watching, penguins, charming coastal villages and unforgettable ocean views — all within a few hours of one another.
👀More Than Just Whale Watching
Winter is one of the Western Cape's most magical seasons. The crowds thin out, the air becomes crisp and clear, and the coastline takes on a quieter, more peaceful atmosphere.
Whether you're enjoying a seaside coffee in Gordon's Bay, exploring the coastal villages along Clarence Drive, watching penguins in Betty's Bay, or spotting whales from a lookout point overlooking the ocean, winter offers experiences that are both memorable and uniquely Cape.
🐳When Giants Return
For nature lovers, photographers, families and travellers alike, whale season provides an unforgettable reason to explore the Cape coast.
And while the whales may be the stars of the show, the journey itself is every bit as rewarding.
So this winter, start your whale-watching journey in Gordon's Bay and discover why the Cape Whale Coast remains one of South Africa's most remarkable natural treasures.
