Land Based Whale Watching at De Hoop Nature Reserve

De Hoop Nature Reserve is one of the world’s best land-based whale watching areas. This marine protected area is a World Heritage Site and one of the most important nurseries for southern right whales on the planet.

Southern Right Whales Up Close

From June to November, southern right whales come so close to the shoreline that visitors can relax on the unspoilt sand dunes and watch in awe as these beautiful creatures calve, blow, breach, lobtail and spy-hop for spectators.

Increasing Numbers of whales visit De Hoop

The southern right whale spends the summer months in the far southern ocean feeding close to Antarctica and migrates north in winter for warm-water breeding. The fidelity of the females to safe feeding and calving habitats brings these mammals in increasing numbers to the De Hoop region. The mother passes these instincts onto her calves which results in visitors being able to view this transient population of whales that visit De Hoop’s shores, annually.

Visit the De Hoop Collection and experience one of the world’s best land-based whale watching areas.