Other than white sandy beaches, the Breede River, and the plethora of activities it offers, the next best local and international attraction is the annual migration of the Southern Right whales to our shores.
These gentle giants of the sea arrive to both calve and mate and can be seen in the bay during the months of May/June to October/November.
Witsand is privileged to get the lion’s share of these majestic mammals annually, thus making us know as “THE WHALE NURSERY OF SOUTH AFRICA”
It is estimated that 40% of the world’s Southern Right whales come to calve between San Sebastian Bay in Witsand and Koppie Alleen in the Marine Protected area of De Hoop Nature Reserve. The 2023 whale count for this area was 236 mothers with calves.