Whoopee! The Whales Have Returned to De Hoop Already

De Hoop, South Africa (09 May 2024) – Whoopee! The whales have returned! This is always a time for celebration when the whales return to the beautiful coastline at De Hoop, and we could not be happier to welcome them,” says William Stephens, owner of De Hoop Collection at De Hoop Nature Reserve in welcoming the whales back.

De Hoop Nature Reserve, a World Heritage site and Marine Protected area in the Overberg region, home of the famed Whale Trail and arguably the best land-based whale-watching spot in the world, is where, every year from June to November, some 40% of the world’s southern right whales come to breed.

Last year was a great year for whale sightings according to the UP Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit. The results of its aerial survey from Hermanus to Witsand revealed a total of 568 cow/calf pairs of southern right whales, totalling 1 136, marking a historic high in observed cow/calf pairs along the South African coastline. Jean Tresfon, a well-known marine conservation photographer who undertook the official aerial survey with the UP Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit’s Dr Els Vermeulen, said that the highest concentration of whales – 236 mothers with calves, was at Koppie Alleen.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that this year’s whale sighting numbers will be as impressive as last year’s”, adds William.

But beyond the whales’ attraction, De Hoop is known for its culmination of natural treasures—from pristine beaches to a Ramsar-listed vlei, rare indigenous plants, and diverse animal and birdlife.

There’s also the new Origins of Early Southern Sapiens Behaviour exhibition that highlights the Southern Cape coastline’s archaeological heritage and diverse marine environment—making a roadtrip to De Hoop well worth any winter bucket list.