Blog

90% of Southern Right Whales are at De Hoop on the Overberg Coastline!

90% of Southern Right Whales are at De Hoop on the Overberg Coastline!

De Hoop Collection

90% of Southern Right Whales are at De Hoop on the Overberg Coastline right now!

De Hoop Nature Reserve, on the Southern Cape coast, is probably most famous for its iconic Whale Trail. And over the last few years, the limelight has been firmly on the southern right whales, who love to show themselves during this time of year.

De Hoop Collection has announced that “the first aerial count survey of the 2019 whale season is in - and of the total whales seen, over 90% of them were at De Hoop!”

William Stephens, the owner of De Hoop Collection, was notified of this by Jean Tresfon, a well-known marine conservation photographer, and pilot of the aerial survey done by the Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit.

Tresfon reported that “...although below the number expected for this time of the year, a total of 288 southern right whales were counted, 131 females with calves and 26 adults without calves and nearly all females with calves were located in the De Hoop Nature Reserve”. 

Last year, Tresfon was blown away by the sightings of the southern right whales at De Hoop Nature Reserve area - from Skipskop Point to Lekkerwater - where a record-breaking 1 116 whales (558 cow/calf pairs) had been spotted - this confirmed that Koppie Alleen in De Hoop is the most important nursery area for southern right whales on the South African coast.

Of the 2018 total of about 1 400 southern right whales that were counted, approximately 200 were not in the De Hoop area. With the current count being below the number expected for this time of year, and less than last year, it is probably due to the fact that the reproduction of the whales is not back at normal levels, perhaps due to non-optimal conditions in their feeding grounds. 

The next aerial survey will be done in a few weeks’ time.  

For more information and recent updates, feel free to contact De Hoop Collection today!   

90% of Southern Right Whales are at De Hoop on the Overberg Coastline!

De Hoop Collection

De Hoop Collection just outside Bredasdorp provides exclusive accommodation in De Hoop Nature Reserve. From remote luxury self-catering houses overlooking the 16km long Ramsar-listed vlei to upmarket catered suites just a short stroll from The Fig Tree Restaurant, De Hoop Collection has it all. Whet...

View Profile

What is Xplorio?

Xplorio is your local connection allowing you to find anything and everything about a town.

WATCH THE VIDEO: Welcome to Bredasdorp!
Read More

Recent Posts

11 - 13 July 2025: Wine, Whales and Music 2025

11 - 13 July 2025: Wine, Whales and Music 202...

Join us for our annual celebration of Wine, Whales and Music!

De Hoop Collection
Mother’s Day Lunch @ De Hoop

Mother’s Day Lunch @ De Hoop

We’re celebrating moms this Sunday with a special lunch and a free lip balm from Antjies!

De Hoop Collection
Exclusive Wine Weekend at De Hoop Collection

Exclusive Wine Weekend at De Hoop Collection

Join Bruce Jack, Michael Fridjhon, and William Stephens for an unforgettable wine escape at the breathtaking De Hoop Collection.

De Hoop Collection
Digging De Hoop Full Programme

Digging De Hoop Full Programme

Digging De Hoop is just a week away, and the full programme is now live on our website.

De Hoop Collection
Why Writing a Travel Bucket List is the First Step to a Dream Holiday

Why Writing a Travel Bucket List is the First...

As we approach the end of 2024, we can't help but look ahead to what next year holds.

De Hoop Collection
Is De Hoop the Ultimate Family Getaway?

Is De Hoop the Ultimate Family Getaway?

The school holidays are just around the corner and we're sharing our top 5 reasons why De Hoop Collection is the ultimate family getaway.

De Hoop Collection