With an unbelievable number of whale sightings at De Hoop this year… over 1 116 whales were spotted on just part of the De Hoop coastline... nearly three times the number of last year – it really has been the best spot for whale watching in South Africa.
Jean Tresfon, a well-known Marine Conservation Photographer, together with whale scientist Chris Wilkinson had, early on Saturday morning lifted off from the Morning Star airfield into the crisp clear air - a perfect day weather-wise - to conduct an aerial whale survey for the Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit.
He reported that they encountered the southern right whales almost immediately, but it was when they reached the De Hoop Nature Reserve area that they were just blown away.
“The absolute pinnacle was at the De Hoop Nature Reserve -from Skipskop Point to Lekkerwater- where we spotted an incredible record-breaking 1 116 whales, or 558 cow/calf pairs, highlighting the fact that Koppie Alleen is without question the most important nursery area for southern right whales on the South African coast.”
After nearly seven hours in the air they headed home. Tresfon later received a message from Els Vermeulen, head of the Whale Unit, advising him of the final numbers - 661 cow/calf pairs, plus 25 unaccompanied adults - a total of 1 347 southern right whales counted between Hawston and Witsands! Almost triple the amount of whales counted at nearly the same time – the first week of September - in the same area, in 2017.