IT IS WHALE SEASON IN PLETT!
As winter loosens its grip, Plettenberg Bay springs to life with the long-anticipated return of its giant marine migrants. On June 3, 2025, the Orca Foundation confirmed the first sightings of Southern Right Whales—a signal that Plett’s whale season is officially underway. Since that moment, these majestic giants have made themselves visible throughout the bay, captivating visitors and locals alike.
Prime Viewing, Naturally
Humpback whales are often spotted in Plettenberg Bay waters throughout the year. Plett’s rugged coastline and six Blue Flag beaches offer breathtaking boat or land-based whale viewing. Recognized globally for its marine hospitality, the town features licensed operators such as Ocean Safaris and Ocean Blue Adventures, who provide respectful and educational marine safaris. Look out for Southern Right Whales, the acrobatic Humpback, and an array of dolphins (Bottlenose, Bryde’s, and the endangered Humpback variety), plus the occasional glimpse of Orca which we were lucky enough to have towards the end of July this year.
IS AN ORCA A WHALE OR A DOLPHIN?
Well, orcas are not technically considered whales! Instead, Orcinus orca is a dolphin (Delphinidae) and as such is the largest dolphin species. Here’s something unexpected — killer whales do not have humans on their menu. In fact, whalers operating in Australia, even said that killer whales aided them in hunting other whales. The term killer whale likely originated with sailors and whalers calling orcas whale killers. Somewhere down the line — maybe during that previous mistranslation — they got swapped to killer whale.
CELEBRATED AS A WHALE HERITAGE SITE
There are only ten such places in the world with such a certification by the World Cetacean Alliance. This distinction acknowledges Plett’s commitment to ethical wildlife tourism – focusing on the animals, the environment and the local communities.
Whale watching and other activities along the Garden Route.
https://www.plett-tourism.co.za/whales-waves-a-wild-winter-plett-ocean-festival-4-13-july-2025/
