Whale Guides

Three generations of the Klapwijk family have been boating around Mossel Bay, whale watching from a 52 foot motor/sail boat. They aim to provide their guests with a delightfully memorable experience. Their boat has an open deck, secure hand rails, an expansive cabin  and wheel house. Guides are allowed to approach the whales up to 50 metres, but the Southern Right Whales often rub up against the boat as they seek a closer look at the people. It is advisable to keep cameras on at all times! Length of boat trips vary depending on the activity of whales but usually range from 60 minutes to 3 hours. The peak whale watching season is from August to October with sightings nearly guaranteed. Other creatures to see are Seals, Sharks, Dolphins and plenty marine birds. They provide Seal Island trips on the hour, 365 days a year. Here you can visit thousands of Cape Furr Seals on a tiny island in Mossel Bay.

+27 (44) 690 3101
www.knysna.com/romonza/

Day long trips to Kisite Marine Park on an Arabian dhow (sailboat). Their dhows have inboard engines but don’t excessively disturb sealife, especially the Indo-pacific and Spotted Dolphins they go out to see. Besides Dolphin Watching, Pilli Pipa also offers snorkeling and diving around one of the most abundant coral reefs in the area. They regularly see Humpback Whales between August and October, and Whale sharks between September and November. Certified PADI professional divers guide guests through the mysterious and beautiful underwater world. Qualified marine guides and swimming teachers also escort snorkelers. Excursion fares include a delicious seafood lunch on Wasini Island and transport from the designated hotel is also provided.

254 127 3559
www.pillipipa.com

The travel portion of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, a UK based but globally oriented registered charity in existence to save whales and dolphins. Out of the Blue offers people the chance to witness whales and dolphins in the wild, and to learn about these amazing creatures from tour operators who are also researchers. Billeting happens with WDCS experts so joining Out of the Blue is like going on an immersion program.  The groups are small, and the slant of the tours is conservation.  Profits are all donated to the Society’s conservation efforts in local communities.

(01249) 449 547/533
www2.wdcs.org/outoftheblue

Dolphin watching since 1995 and delighting in the ongoing opportunity to escort people into dolphin territory to increase awareness about the remaining population of the beautiful and endangered Pink Dolphins.

In the Pearl River Delta, along the Chinese coast between Hong Kong and Macau, some of the approximately 1000 Indo-pacific Humpback Dolphins, Sousa chinensis, appear bright pink. The theory behind their pick hue is that they are actually white but due to elevated temperatures from activity they are look like they are “blushing”. HK Dolphinwatch donates a portion of their profit to charity. They are also affiliated with Professor Chris Parsons (George Mason University, USA - Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin and whalewatching expert) who has this to say to HKD, “I’d like to congratulate HK DolphinWatch on their 10 year anniversary and thank them for the significant part they’ve played in raising awareness of Hong Kong’s dolphins and the threats that they face - both locally and internationally.”

(852) 2984-1414
www.hkdolphinwatch.com

Dolphin and whale watching in Bohol, Philippines, by former hunters who have walked away from their age old practice of hunting for sport or sustenance in order to take part in a more modern means of making a living. They now make their livelihoods by serving as Stewards of the Sea. The spotters and local guides now tour visitors around Pamilacan Island to see Spotted Dolphins, Bryde’s and Sperm Whales, Whale Sharks and Manta Rays. The goal is to live harmoniously within nature and appreciating all life as beautiful. The best time of year to go watching is March to June.

038 5409279
www.dolphinwhalewatch.homestead.com

Visit the warm Indian Ocean off Shelly Beach in search of dolphins whales and other marine life. All trips and encounters with marine mammals are conducted in strict accordance with current regulations and conservation guidelines. Experienced and competent skippers and staff ensure safety to the customers. Boats all have proper equipment and are maintained with approval from the Marine Safety Authorities. All whale and dolphin watchers are ‘guests’ visiting the natural environment of these animals and every Whale/Dolphin watch is considered an ‘ocean ecological adventure’ rather than a sight seeing excursion. Open year round.

082 960 7682
www.webfoot.co.za/kznwhale

The Antarctic has more whales and dolphins than almost anywhere in the world. Several species and in good numbers are usually encountered on the tours. Expect hourglass dolphins, pods of killer whales searching for seals and penguins among the ice flows, and humpback whales breaching in front of a snow white icebergs, as well as, Peale’s dolphins, southern rightwhale dolphins, long-finned pilot whales, southern bottlenose whales, and even Cuvier’s beaked whales. There is also the possibility of seeing macaroni penguins, and other unusual species. Guaranteed that no-one will be disappointed.

01737 218802
www.arctic-discover.co.uk

Tour operators on the Kenya Coast for over 20 years who constantly improve and introduce new ideas to their roster. Caring, experienced and happy people who offer safaris and diving holidays. Personalized service guaranteed. Listed in most travel guides.

254 127 2331 / 3055
www.wasini-island.com

Very friendly spotted dolphins frequent this beautiful area in southern coastal Kenya known as the Kisiti Marine park. The trip revolves around interacting with these dolphins and/or some of their local cousins - the humpbacks and common dolphins. Success rate at finding them is about 98%.  Sail on traditional Arab dhows and snorkel in the marine park (comparable with The Great Barier Reef). Includes a delicious lunch and drinks.

254 127 2144
www.dolphindhow.com

This is an unique opportunity to swim with wild free friendly dolphins in the warm clear waters of the Red Sea. A mother and baby dolphin live close to the shore of a Bedouin village and enjoy human company. Children and people with special needs are especially welcome at this quiet safe location. “Olin is the friendliest dolphin I have met in the world and it is due to the gentle nature of the Bedouin people that she is so trusting of humans.” Dr. Horace Dobbs founder of International Dolphin Watch, March 2001

44 1309 671736
www.dolphinswims.co.uk