Marine Wildlife

Dolphins are beloved residents of Hout Bay, bringing joy and excitement to all who spot them. And believe us, it never gets old watching them jumping out of the water and showing off. Hout Bay is home to several dolphin species, including the common dolphin, heavyside dolphin and bottlenose dolphin. So, let’s have a closer look at the marine acrobats in our bay.

Fun Facts About Hout Bay’s Dolphins

Each dolphin species in Hout Bay has unique characteristics and behaviours. The common dolphin, known for its distinctive yellow and grey markings, is incredibly fast, reaching speeds up to 60 km/h! Heaviside’s dolphins are small, stocky dolphins with distinctive black, white, and grey markings. They’re easy to identify by their triangular dorsal fins. Known for their playful behaviour, they often approach boats, making them a delight on our seal island boat tours. Lastly, bottlenose dolphins are recognizable by their sleek, grey bodies and friendly demeanour. They’re incredibly intelligent and often seen surfing the waves and leaping out of the water.

When to See Dolphins in Hout Bay

Dolphins can be spotted year-round in Hout Bay, with good chances of catching a glimpse at our resident heavyside dolphins. Other species are most commonly seen in the warmer months, from October to March, when food sources like sardines and anchovies are more plentiful. Typically, early mornings and late afternoons are the best times for dolphin sightings, as they are often actively hunting and playing during these times.

Spot Dolphins in Hout Bay From the Water

So, are you eager to witness the magic of Hout Bay’s dolphins? Our Seal Island boat tour is the perfect way to enjoy breathtaking views of the bay and see pods of playful dolphins in action. While dolphin sightings are not guaranteed, we ensure you’ll have an unforgettable experience with Hout Bay’s marine wonders at all times.

Hout Bay has once again been abuzz with the arrival of a unique guest: Buffel, a Southern elephant seal. This impressive creature has taken up residence on Duiker Island, sharing space with our local Cape fur seals. Buffel’s appearance is a rare treat, as elephant seals typically roam the South Atlantic near subantarctic islands, with the closest colony on South Africa’s Marion Island – over 2,100 kilometres away from Cape Town. Let’s get to know Hout Bay’s elephant seal a bit better.

Fun Facts about Southern Elephant Seals

Southern Elephant seals are remarkable animals known for their immense size and resilience. The males, or “bulls,” can weigh between 2,200 to 4,000 kilograms and reach lengths of nearly 6 metres! This makes Buffel truly stand out among the smaller Cape fur seals, which typically weigh up to 330 kilograms. Female Southern Elephant seals are smaller but can still weigh up to 900 kilograms. Interestingly, these seals are also record-breaking divers, hunting for fish and squid at depths of up to 1,000 metres and sometimes even beyond 2,000 metres – making them the deepest-diving air-breathing non-cetaceans.

Buffel’s Unique Behavior and Challenges

Buffel the elephant seal in Hout Bay has stirred quite a bit of attention not only due to his size but also because of his unusual behaviour. He has a habit of “playing” with the local Cape fur seals. Although his idea of play can be rough. His interactions with our fur seals sometimes lead to injury, for both. Given that it’s breeding season for elephant seals right now, Buffel’s behaviour is likely influenced by hormones. And his presence on Duiker Island is a reminder of the complex characteristics of these majestic animals.

Recently, concerns arose about Buffel’s health due to a rabies outbreak in local seal colonies, which could potentially spread to visiting marine mammals. Fortunately, a team of marine scientists and veterinarians, including experts from the Two Oceans Aquarium and the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, successfully administered a rabies vaccine to Buffel. This vaccination effort highlights the commitment to protecting not only Buffel but also his distant South Atlantic relatives from potential disease.

What does the Future hold for Buffel?

As the only elephant seal in Hout Bay, Buffel has become something of a celebrity. His distinctive face, complete with a scar through his left eyebrow and a blind left eye, makes him easily recognizable. His life on Duiker Island hasn’t been without its challenges, but he’s shown remarkable resilience. Buffel spends his days sunbathing, cooling off in the Atlantic, and occasionally asserting himself among the Cape fur seals.

Meet Buffel on a Seal Island Boat Tour

If you would like to see Buffel up close, join a boat tour with Circe Launches. Our seal-watching tours offer the best vantage point to observe Buffel, the Cape fur seals and other marine life in their natural habitat. Book a cruise with us today to experience Hout Bay’s unique marine world and catch a glimpse of our famous elephant seal.

While Cape fur seals are our business, we cannot get around (sometimes, quite literally) our bigger marine mammals. From the best lookout spots to the various species – we tell you all you need to know about whale watching in Cape Town. Are you ready to have a whale of a time?

Where to go Whale Watching in Cape Town?

You’re in luck! Did you know that you don’t even have to leave the mainland to watch whales in Cape Town? They come so close to our shores that you can often spot them without binoculars. Here are a few excellent whale watching spots if you want to see our ocean mammals in action.

Hout Bay

Our home offers excellent chances of spotting whales. Whether from the jetty or beach near the harbour, we often see smaller pods of whales in our bay. Chapman’s Peak Drive offers you an elevated view over the whole bay, ideal for spotting whales, dolphins and seals frolicking in the water below.

Sea Point Promenade

Combine a relaxed stroll along the promenade with whale watching in Cape Town. Keep your eyes peeled for a blow, a cloud of moist air that whales breathe out when they surface. The promenade stretches all the way from Camps Bay via Clifton, Bantry Bay, Sea Point, Green Point and Mouille Point to the V&A Waterfront.

False Bay

There are many great whale watching spots in False Bay. With a little luck, you might spot whales while enjoying seafood in Kalk Bay or on your drive to the penguin colony at Boulders Beach outside of Simon’s Town. Scan the ocean when visiting Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope – you might be surprised how many ocean animals you can see.

False Bay is also home (at least every now and then) to two orcas that can’t get enough of our waters: Port and Starboard.

Kommetjie

Kommetjie is not just another surf and beach walk location. It’s also a beautiful place to spot marine wildlife. Pack a picnic and look out for whales making their way down the coast.

Hermanus, Walker Bay & beyond

If you can’t get enough of whales, you should also visit Hermanus, the capital of whale watching. Drive along the coast via Clarence Drive to maximise your chances of spotting whales. There are plenty of lookout points and options for a snack with a view. Walker Bay in Hermanus is famous for some of the best land-based whale watching in the world.

But South Africa’s whale watching opportunities are not limited to the Western Cape. In fact, the majority of our coastline is a seasonal feeding, mating and birthing ground for whales. This includes the West Coast, Garden Route, Sunshine Coast and KwaZulu-Natal. 

When can I spot Whales in Cape Town?

Our annual whale season begins in June and ends in November. Theoretically, there is a chance of spotting whales along our shores year-round, but our winter and spring months give you excellent opportunities to watch the ocean mammals in numbers.

The Whales of Southern Africa

There are a few whale species that live in South African waters. Here’s an overview.

Southern Right Whale

Southern Right whales are frequent visitors to South African shores. These gentle giants are easy to identify by their broad, V-shaped blow and the distinctive white callosities (rough patches of skin) on their heads. Fun fact: They are known for their playful behaviour, often breaching and slapping the water with their fins.

Humpback Whale

Famous for their majestic breaching and long, complex songs, Humpback whales can also be seen migrating along our coast during whale season. They have long pectoral fins and a distinctive knobby head. Did you know? Humpbacks are famous for their acrobatics, often leaping entirely out of the water. Their hump-shaped back, seen when they dive, is the best way to identify them.

Bryde’s Whale

Bryde’s whales are more elusive and often remain in South African waters year-round. They are smaller than other baleen whales and can be identified by three distinctive ridges on the top of their heads. Bryde’s whales can dive for up to 20 minutes while feeding on schooling fish, which makes them more elusive than other species.

Orca (Killer Whale)

Although not as common as other species, orcas occasionally pass through Table Bay and False Bay. These apex predators are easily recognisable by their striking black and white coloration and tall dorsal fins, which can reach up to 2 metres in males. Keep an eye out for their characteristic black dorsal fins cutting through the water! Good to know: Port and Starboard both have collapsed dorsal fins.

Happy Whale Watching in Cape Town!

Let us know if you would like to know anything else about whales around Cape Town. We are often lucky enough to encounter whales on our Seal Island boat tours. Book your cruise today and observe the abundant marine wildlife around our Cape Peninsula. We look forward to welcoming you on board!