CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Supergroup humpback whale sightings are on the increase in South Africa, transforming the nation’s coastal waters into a spectacular marine sanctuary. Almost 50 years after the global whaling ban, these massive gatherings of marine mammals are becoming an increasingly common and extraordinary spectacle along the coastline.
Together with dolphins, humpback whales are one of at least 37 species of marine mammals that can be found in South African waters. While whales are a common sight off the coastline from June to November, they have historically been observed in small pods. However, recent observations indicate a dramatic and positive shift in this pattern.
Over December 2025, marine experts noticed whale numbers steadily increasing. Initially, observers saw groups of 20, or maybe even 50, but towards the middle of the month, those groups grew to 100, signaling that something truly special was in the offing.
On December 30, approximately 100 kilometers north of Cape Town, wildlife photographer and naturalist Chris Fallows was greeted by what he could only describe as a “Manhattan skyline with huge plumes of whale breath greeting us like skyscrapers.” Very quickly, he realized he was looking at a sight he had never seen before in his life: hundreds of whales coming together to feed in one small area. As both a naturalist and a fine art photographer, Fallows described the moment as truly breathtaking.
Humpback whales stop off along South Africa’s south coast to feed, calve, and rear their young as they migrate northwards from the Antarctic. According to the International Whaling Commission, since the 1986 global hunting ban, population numbers have risen from about 10,000 to approximately 100,000 in the southern hemisphere.
Dr. Els Vermeulen, Chief Scientist in the University of Pretoria’s Whale Unit, noted that supergroups had not been seen until about 2012, when the first were officially recorded. She explained that this phenomenon is very likely a direct result of the recovery of the population from historical whaling. Because humpback whales were previously severely hunted to very low numbers, it was a natural phenomenon to see fewer whales and, consequently, no supergroups. However, as these whale populations rebound, these supergroups are forming once again in South Africa’s rich Benguela upwelling system.
Despite the celebratory nature of this ecological recovery, the surge in whale numbers brings new conservation challenges. Along with greater numbers comes the heightened danger of more ship strikes. This risk is particularly acute given the recent increase in maritime vessels being diverted south along the African coast due to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Gregg Oelofse, coastal and environmental manager for the City of Cape Town, has highlighted the growing presence of tankers, cargo ships, and fishing vessels navigating around the coastline, raising urgent concerns about maritime traffic interacting with these feeding supergroups. As the humpback whale population continues its remarkable resurgence, balancing marine conservation with global shipping routes remains a critical priority for South African environmental authorities.
