No matter how many pictures, how many movies or how many documentaries you have seen about whales, nothing will quite ever prepare you for when you experience a whale up close and personal, in their natural environment. These massive, gentle giants of the sea will literally astound you, if not terrify you just a little bit as well. And with good reason, these are the largest mammals ever known to have existed and weighing up to 200 tons and floating past you in the water at a massive 30 meters in length, these are creatures that immediately demand respect.
South Africa is the world's premier whale watching destination, either from land, or boat, kayak or even from the comfort of your balcony - if you are lucky to have booked at the right place, and be up and about at the right time. During the months of June to November, along the Cape south coast, and even as far up as Durban, whales migrate to the warmer sea waters reaching the coast by June, after leaving the chilly Antarctic seas some time before.
They come down to the South African coast to mate, calve and rear their young making for a spectacular and astounding display and a chance for everyone to see how they play, and nurse their new-born calves. Hanging around for some 5 months during the South African winter, the whales make the most of their time along the coast, before they start their long journey back to Antarctica.
The mild South African winter climate and gorgeous sunny winter days, with average day time temperatures averaging about 16 C and dropping to 8 C in the evening, means that coastal towns like Hermanus on the south coast become swamped with holiday makers looking for their whale fix.
In fact, during the winter months, the abundance of whales in the bay is so vast, that driving along the coast road, you will easily be able to see the whales frolicking in the bay from the comfort of your car window. Whale watching tours will take you right out into the bay, and some of the accredited whale watching tours can take you up as close as 50 meters to these spectacular animals, and just as you think this massive multi-ton mammal is coming straight towards your boat, they dive underneath, giving you butterflies in your stomach and the sight of your life.
Learn more about whale watching cruises at http://www.planetwhale.com/
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