Photo: Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ocean · Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback whale

Breaching giants that migrate along Africa’s coasts.

IUCN statusLeast Concern
Best timeAbout June to November in the south
Our guides3 destinations

Humpbacks travel from Antarctic feeding grounds to breed in warmer waters off Mozambique, Madagascar and Gabon, and pass South Africa on the way.

Best places to see it

Hermanus

One of the best places on earth to watch whales from the shore.

Jun to Nov 1 to 2 nights

Tofo

A laid-back beach town famous for diving with manta rays and whale sharks.

Apr to Nov 4 to 6 nights

Where to see it

  • Tofo, Mozambique
  • Hermanus and the Garden Route
  • Loango, Gabon
  • Île Sainte-Marie, Madagascar

Our destination guides: Hermanus · Tofo · Loango National Park

Best time

About June to November in the south.

Tips

  • Choose operators that keep legal distances.

Did you know?

  • Male humpbacks sing long, complex songs during the breeding season.

Conservation status: Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Check iucnredlist.org for the latest assessment.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to see the humpback whale in Africa?

Tofo, Mozambique; Hermanus and the Garden Route; Loango, Gabon.

Is the humpback whale endangered?

It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

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