Since 2018, an annual Welcoming of the Whales Festival is celebrated in June when the first humpback whales arrive in Algoa Bay on their migration. Marine tour operators, conservation projects, private companies, educational institutions, and NGOs come together to engage with and educate the public about the whales living off their coasts, as well as other marine life and issues like plastic pollution..
This festival provides a platform for research institutions and conservation initiatives to share their work. Other activities range from presentations, whale spotting and tidal walks to exhibitions of photos and other art, movies, music and more.
Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT), the Algoa Bay WHA Steering Committee and members of the local community celebrated Algoa Bay achieving Whale Heritage Area status by coming together to plant a full-sized 14m whale in front of City Lodge on Marine Drive. The whale was planted using Spekboom, chosen because it has the best carbon-fixing abilities of any plant in the world.
Helpful links
Apply to become a Wildlife Heritage Area
