The West Coast

More rugged than the south coast, the West Coast is populated by subsistence fishing folk, and their thatched, whitewashed houses are typical of the area. There has been a great deal of interest in the West Coast over the past few years, and it has become a popular holiday destination with more and more holiday homes being built in the area. The area is also famous for its spring flowers. Whale watching spots are:

• Lambertsbaai: the seafood hotspot of the West Coast! Known as the crayfish mecca of South Africa. Snoek is also available during a snoek run which takes place a couple of times during the year.

• Elandsbaai: a small town, popular with surfers and bird watchers. Known for its seafood cuisine.

• Paternoster: a beautiful little town, very popular with sea kayakers. For more accommodation choices visit: Booking.Com

• Saldanha Bay: Saldanha is the largest natural bay in South Africa.

• Yzerfontein: known for its natural beauty, vast stretches of beach and tranquillity,.

• Langebaan: one of the top windsurfing and kite surfing spots in the. The lagoon is perfect for kayaking. For more accommodation choices visit: Booking.Com

Cape Town

The country’s Mother City. For more accommodation choices visit: Booking.Com

• False Bay, Simonstown, Muizenberg, Fish Hoek, The Strand, Gordons Bay: plenty of whale watching opportunities all along this coast. For more accommodation choices visit: Booking.Com

South Western Cape

• Pringle Bay: large penguin breeding colony.
• Betty’s Bay: great whale watching spot – penguins too. For more accommodation choices visit: Booking.Com
• Kleinmond: popular holiday town, close to Arabella golf estate. For more accommodation choices visit: Booking.Com
• Hermanus: considered the best land based whale watching spot in the world!
• Gansbaai: The ‘big two’ town of Gansbaai offers both Great White Shark and Southern Right Whale viewing. For more accommodation choices visit: Booking.Com
• De Kelders: just before Gansbaai, the settlement offers a hiking trail along its cliffs which allows fantastic views.
• Kleinbaai: just outside Gansbaai, it’s the place from which the shark cage diving boats depart
• Pearly Beach: has a protective, shallow bay offering the whales a sanctuary in which to mate and calve.

• Cape Agulhas: the bay attracts a number of pairs of mother and calf at a time. It’s also where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet.
• Struisbaai: The longest uninterrupted white beach in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Arniston: a charming 200 year old fishing village, unspoilt sand dunes and nature reserves.
• De Hoop Nature Reserve: not all that easy to get to, but worth the trek!

• Witsand: the most important whale nursery on the African Coast and one of the greatest concentrations of Southern Right Whales comes here to calve every year.

Whale, Dolphin and Seal watching tours: Plettenberg Bay Legally permitted boat based Whale, dolphin and seal watching tours. Various private charters and group tours available. Sightings include Southern Right, Humpback, Brydes whales and Bottlenose, common and humpback dolphins as well as other surprisesStarting at 400 Rand Per Person

Garden Route

• Stillbaai: vast open spaces, a tranquil river and pure white sandy beaches
• Gouritzmond: small village at the mouth of the Gouritz River.
• Dana Bay: west of Mossel Bay. For more accommodation options: Booking.Com
• Mossel Bay: a bustling resort town in summer; with temperate winter weather. More accommodation in Mossel Bay can be found here or at Booking.com.
• Hartenbos: adjacent to Mossel Bay – bursts at the seams over December!
• Great Brak River: a pretty hamlet on the river, between Mossel Bay and George.
• Herold’s Bay: tiny resort – worth the visit.
• Wilderness: a famous resort, very beautiful surroundings. For more accommodation choices visit: Booking.Com
• Sedgefield: popular retirement spot.
• Knysna: one of South Africa’s most popular destinations. Very beautiful – a town with a great buzz! More accommodation in Knysna can be found here or at Booking.com.
• Plettenberg Bay: just as good as Hermanus for whale watching – but plenty of humpbacks as well. A pretty town popular with the jet set. For more accommodation choices visit: Booking.Com

More renowned for turtle and dolphins, but Mozambique’s palm-fringed beaches provide good whale watching positions.  Humpbacks pass by this part of the African coast from July to November. The best known areas are the Bazaruto Archipelago, Inhaca, Imhambane and Pemba .

Southern right whales are seen in the southern part of the Mozambique Channel between June and December.

The surrounding waters of the Atlantic Ocean provide important feeding grounds for marine turtles and breeding humpback whales, as well as fishing grounds for both local and international fishers.

About Cape Verde

Cape Verde comprises 10 islands – each of them very different to each other – which makes island-hopping a popular choice. It has the fourth highest GDP of any African nation.

The most developed island is Sal, pretty flat, but with some great white-sand beaches and excellent tourist facilities. Boa Vista has even better beaches that stretch for miles, with good watersports options, and whale and dolphin-watching trips.

Several hotels on the islands have spas and almost all hotels are fully air-conditioned. On the main islands there are international standard restaurants.

English is widely spoken, as more than half the Cape Verdeans have links with the east coast of the US and Canada.

Cape Verde Island Guide

Sal – The first of the islands to be developed, its main focus is on tourism

Boa Vista – Less-developed than Sal, the island boasts spectacular beaches and sand dunes

Sao Vicente – The place to experience Cape Verde culture, particularly the vibrant nightlife in Mindelo.

Santiago – The largest island of the archipelago is the place to experience African culture.

The smaller islands:

Fogo boasts a dormant volcano, while Sao Nicolau has volcanic plains.

Santo Antao and Brava are popular with walkers.

Visitors to Paul can check out an ancient distillery, while Maio is sandy and largely undeveloped.

Most islands are accessible by air via the main gateways, while others are reached by ferry.