3 April 2009 - written by Riette Bennett - The Return of the Humpback Whale : -

 Between the end of May and the first weeks of December the annual Humpback Whale Migration takes place along the East Coast of Africa, particularly along the coast of ST LUCIA from where permitted operator Danie Bennett of ADVANTAGE CHARTER has been operating this boat based whale watching since the inception of whale watching in South Africa. Danie is one of the few operators respected amongst the scientists for his accurate interpretation and ability to identify species. In 2008 Danie was chosen to be part of a team of scientists from Marine and Coastal Management , the regulatory body for permitted boat based whale watching in South Africa, and operators that correlate their photo id’s of the Humpback Whales against each other to monitor the migration of this specie. ADVANTAGE TOURS have been involved with whale watching in South Africa since 1999. Imagine coming face to face with the 5^th largest animal that has ever lived on this earth...this is quite possible when going on an awesome well planned tour aboard the ADVANTAGE CHARTER, currently still a legal boat-based-whale-watching permit holder remaining in KwaZulu Natal. No experience could be more satisfying  than the emotional sight of a mammal of 40tonnes, launching it’s enormous body clear out of the ocean a mere 50meters from the vessel,  tail slapping with a majestic tail of about 5 meters, saluting you against the backdrop of the high vegetated sand dunes of the Elephant Coast. These creatures are huge, yet gentle, mysterious and as curious about you as you are of it.  Early morning sea temperatures of around 21degrees are surprisingly warm for those not accustomed to the warm Elephant Coast weather from this sub tropical region. It is for this reason why the Humpback Whale migrate along this coast on their way to Mozambique and Madagascar to breed and calf, as a new born calf would not survive the icy waters of the Antarctic. Mothers give birth to their calf’s which weighs in at around 700kg, and are about 4-7 meters long, this little newborn drinks up to 600liters of condensed milk per day, to be able to build up enough blubber to protect it’s body for the journey back to the Antarctic.  Humpback Whales are the singing whales, with the males performing elaborate, haunting songs that lasts for up to half an hour- probable in order to attract a mate. When viewed underwater, their long graceful flippers evoke an incredible sense of weightlessness as the whales glide past their enormous flippers also greatly assist with the Humpback’s above surface breaching identification.Recent surveys have shown a significant population recovery of Humpback and Southern Right Whales since the termination of whaling, and it is hoped that their continued protection will ensure that in the future, this extraordinary species will be seen in our waters annually and more frequently. Besides the Humpback Whale being the major specie migrating past the coastline at ST LUCIA, there is also regular sightings of Southern Right Whales, Bryde Whales, Sperm Whales and  Minky Whales. A large variety of dolphins, sea turtles closer to their breeding season, whale sharks and other sharks are seen whilst on a whale watching trip. Pelagic birds abound the area where the whales are normally spotted. Whale Watching remains one of the to-do activities on your to-do list, a soul stirring experience never to be forgotten.