Plettenberg Bay Whale Heritage Area

Humpback whales can be observed in Plettenberg Bay’s waters from May to December during their migrations. Between June and October, Southern right whales appear off the South African coast to breed and calve. There are also rare and opportunistic encounters with species such as killer whales, false killer whales, sei whales, minke whales and dwarf/pygmy sperm whales.

One of the primary concerns for cetaceans is vessel strikes in nearby Indian Ocean shipping lanes, which lead to severe injuries and mortalities among some populations. The possible introduction of pollutants from inland agricultural activities into estuaries and coastal waters could also threaten cetaceans and the ecosystem. Entanglement in fishing gear is another pressing issue. Cetaceans can become trapped in nets, lines, and other equipment, resulting in injuries or fatalities. Recreational vessel traffic in inshore waters can disrupt natural behaviours and lead to stress for cetaceans; and underwater noise pollution, marine debris, and plastic nurdles are also of concern.

• Humpback whales in Plettenberg Bay travel from Antarctica to Gabon and Angola.
• There is a super group of humpback whales, between 20-200 indivuals, that have only ever been found in South African waters.
• Indian Ocean humpback dolphins can often be seen swimming along the Keurbooms and Robberg beaches, alone or in small groups of between 2 and 15 individuals. 
• The Southern right whale is a winter visitor to Plettenberg Bay, migrating up from sub-antarctic waters with some hanging around in Plettenberg Bay while others continue further north between June and December.
• Humpback dolphins display a distinguishable diurnal foraging pattern that peaks in the morning but decreases gradually through the day and increases again shortly before sunset.