Whales in Simon’s Town

Simon’s Town is a haven for whale enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Sea’scapes, offering luxurious self-catering accommodation, is ideally situated for guests to experience the awe-inspiring sight of whales in the tranquil waters of False Bay.

This article delves into the different whale species that frequent Simon’s Town, their distinctive physical features, and why this region is a prime location for whale watching.

Whale Species in False Bay

False Bay, with its nutrient-rich waters and sheltered environment, is a hotspot for several whale species. The most commonly sighted whales include the Southern Right Whale, Humpback Whale, Bryde’s Whale, and occasionally, the Orca or Killer Whale.

Southern Right Whale

The Southern Right Whale is one of the most iconic visitors to False Bay, typically seen between June and November. These magnificent creatures are highly recognisable by their massive heads, which make up nearly a quarter of their body length. Unlike many other whale species, Southern Right Whales lack a dorsal fin, giving them a distinctive, rounded silhouette when viewed from above. One of the most striking features of these whales is the presence of callosities—rough patches of skin covered with barnacles and whale lice—on their heads. These callosities are unique to each individual, much like human fingerprints, allowing researchers to identify and track specific whales over time.

Growing up to 18 metres in length and weighing as much as 80 tonnes, Southern Right Whales are among the larger baleen whale species. Their immense size is complemented by their broad, paddle-shaped pectoral fins and a wide tail fluke, which they use to propel themselves through the water with powerful, sweeping motions. The whales’ dark grey to black colouring often features irregular white patches on their bellies, adding to their unique appearance.

Southern Right Whales are known for their curious and friendly behaviour, often approaching boats and delighting onlookers with their playful antics. They are particularly famous for their breaching displays, where they propel their massive bodies out of the water and crash back down with a spectacular splash. This behaviour is not only a breathtaking sight but also believed to be a form of communication or a way to dislodge parasites. Tail-slapping, another common activity, involves the whale lifting its tail out of the water and slamming it down onto the surface, creating a loud, resounding noise.

During the breeding season, Southern Right Whales migrate to the sheltered bays of False Bay to give birth and nurse their young. These bays provide a safe and nurturing environment for the calves, which are born after a year-long gestation period. The mothers are highly protective of their young, often seen swimming close together and engaging in nurturing behaviours. The calves, which can be up to six metres long at birth, grow rapidly on their mother’s rich, fatty milk.

The presence of Southern Right Whales in False Bay not only offers a unique wildlife spectacle but also contributes significantly to the local ecosystem. As they filter-feed on tiny zooplankton and krill, these whales play a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of the marine environment. Their feeding activity helps to cycle nutrients through the water column, supporting a diverse range of marine life.

In summary, the Southern Right Whale is a majestic and awe-inspiring inhabitant of False Bay, captivating visitors with its size, grace, and playful behaviour. Their annual migration to the region is a testament to the rich biodiversity and pristine marine environment of Simon’s Town, making it a premier destination for whale watching and marine conservation.

Humpback Whale

Humpback Whales are another frequent visitor to the waters off Simon’s Town, particularly during their migration seasons from May to December. These whales are celebrated for their acrobatic displays and complex songs. Their breaching, where they propel their enormous bodies out of the water and splash back down, is a spectacular sight that captivates onlookers. Additionally, their lobtailing, which involves slapping their tails on the water’s surface, and their flipper slapping, where they hit the water with their long pectoral fins, are both thrilling behaviours to witness.

Humpback Whales are easily identifiable by their long pectoral fins, which can be up to a third of their body length. These fins are the longest of any whale species and are often covered in barnacles, adding to their distinct appearance. Their heads are characterised by knobbly protuberances known as tubercles, each housing a single hair follicle, believed to aid in their sensory perception.

In terms of size, Humpbacks can reach lengths of up to 16 metres and weigh around 36 tonnes. Their bodies are robust, with a black dorsal side and a white ventral side, though the exact patterning can vary among individuals. This counter-shading provides camouflage against predators and prey when viewed from above or below.

One of the most remarkable features of Humpback Whales is their flukes, or tail fins. Each Humpback’s fluke has a unique pattern of pigmentation, scars, and serrations along the trailing edge, which makes them easy to identify for researchers and whale watchers alike. These fluke patterns are akin to human fingerprints, allowing for individual identification and long-term tracking.

Humpback Whales are also renowned for their complex and haunting songs. These vocalisations, primarily produced by males, can last for hours and are thought to play a role in communication and mating. The songs are composed of a series of moans, howls, and cries, which can travel vast distances underwater. Each population of Humpbacks has its own distinct song, which evolves over time.

In addition to their acrobatic displays and vocalisations, Humpbacks undertake one of the longest migrations of any mammal, travelling thousands of kilometres between their feeding grounds in polar waters and their breeding grounds in tropical or subtropical waters. During their stay in False Bay, these whales can often be seen feeding on the abundant fish and krill, making use of their baleen plates to filter vast amounts of water and capture their prey.

The presence of Humpback Whales in False Bay offers a unique opportunity for visitors to Simon’s Town to observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. Their impressive size, distinctive features, and captivating behaviours make every sighting an unforgettable experience.

Bryde’s Whale

Bryde’s Whales are resident in False Bay year-round, although they can be more elusive than the Southern Right and Humpback Whales. These whales are medium-sized baleen whales, growing up to 15 metres in length and weighing around 25 tonnes. They have a sleek, streamlined body with three prominent ridges on their heads, which distinguishes them from other baleen whales.

Bryde’s Whales are fast swimmers, reaching speeds of up to 25 km/h, and are often seen alone or in small groups. Unlike some other whale species, they do not undertake long migrations, preferring to stay within warmer waters. Their presence in False Bay is a testament to the rich marine biodiversity of the area, providing them with a steady supply of food.

Physical Characteristics

Bryde’s Whales exhibit a dark grey to black colouring on their backs with a lighter underbelly. The three longitudinal ridges on their heads are their most distinctive feature, setting them apart from other baleen whales, which typically have a single central ridge. These ridges run from the tip of the snout to the blowhole, giving them a unique appearance.

The dorsal fin of Bryde’s Whales is tall and falcate, located about two-thirds down their back. This fin is often seen slicing through the water when the whale surfaces to breathe. Their flippers are relatively short compared to other whale species, and their tail flukes are broad but not particularly high.

Feeding Behaviour

Bryde’s Whales are known for their versatile feeding habits. They primarily feed on small fish such as sardines and anchovies, as well as squid and crustaceans. They employ a method known as lunge feeding, where they accelerate towards a school of fish with their mouths open wide, engulfing large volumes of water and prey. The baleen plates in their mouths then filter out the water, trapping the fish inside.

Their feeding patterns can often be observed in False Bay, especially when they come close to the surface. This provides an excellent opportunity for whale watchers to witness their remarkable hunting techniques.

Behaviour and Social Structure

Bryde’s Whales tend to be more solitary compared to other whale species, although they are sometimes seen in small groups of up to three individuals. They are generally shy and avoid boats, making sightings a special occasion for whale enthusiasts. When they do surface, they typically blow once before diving again, staying submerged for 5 to 15 minutes.

Despite their elusive nature, Bryde’s Whales are known to be curious and may approach vessels on rare occasions. Their behaviour is less predictable than that of the Southern Right and Humpback Whales, adding an element of excitement to any sighting.

Breathing and Vocalisation

Bryde’s Whales breathe through a single blowhole, and their blow is low and bushy, often seen at a distance. They are not known for their vocalisations, which are less complex and less frequent than those of Humpback Whales. However, they do produce low-frequency sounds that are used for communication and navigation.

Conservation Status

Bryde’s Whales are currently listed as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), although they still face threats from ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, and environmental changes. Conservation efforts in regions like False Bay are crucial for maintaining healthy populations and ensuring that these majestic creatures continue to thrive.

In conclusion, Bryde’s Whales add to the rich tapestry of marine life in False Bay, making Simon’s Town a premier destination for whale watching. Their unique physical features, elusive nature, and fascinating behaviours make them a captivating subject for both researchers and nature enthusiasts. Visitors to Sea’scapes have the chance to witness these magnificent whales in their natural habitat, creating lasting memories of their stay in this beautiful part of Cape Town.