Whale Watchers Inn

06/10/2026

Always interesting information!

03/10/2026

Final numbers in!

02/10/2026

Day 3 of the aerial survey done!

01/10/2026

Another update from the Whale unit!!

30/09/2026

Day 1 of the arial survey finished.

29/09/2026

Always a pleasure to host the UP Mammal Research team during the annual Southern Right Whale Aerial Survey!

11/09/2026

One of these days they will be visiting us to count the whales!

🐋LEARNING WITH LEA:

💥 Why do whales breach?
Launching a massive body out of the water at nearly 30 km/h takes an enormous amount of energy, so scientists think breaching serves several important purposes.

🌊 Long-distance signals: The dramatic splash may help whales communicate over long distances.

🦠 A deep scrub: The impact with the water may help remove barnacles, whale lice, and dead skin.

💪 Showing strength: A powerful breach could signal fitness and stamina, particularly during mating season.

⚠️ Social signalling: Sometimes a breach may act as a warning display or help establish social boundaries.

🐳 Play and practice: Young whales often breach repeatedly, helping to develop muscle strength and coordination.

The truth is that breaching may serve different functions depending on the species, situation, and individual whale, and we're still learning exactly why whales perform this spectacular behaviour.

Have you ever witnessed a whale breach in real life? Tell us your story! 🐳

University of Pretoria Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria

31/08/2026

A special time of the year!

23/06/2026

Almost time for the winter school holidays! The whales have arrived! Book for 2 nights and stay for 3 for the whole of July!

27/05/2026

A very special "rainbow" this morning!

Google explains it for us! "A rainbow without color is called a fogbow or ghost rainbow. It is a meteorological phenomenon that appears as a pale, white arc of light rather than a colorful spectrum."

Never to old to learn something new!