Nestled along the southern coast of South Africa, just a short drive from Cape Town, False Bay is one of the world’s richest marine environments—and a bucket-list destination for ocean lovers. With its deep waters, diverse habitats, and nutrient-rich upwellings, the bay supports an incredible range of marine life throughout the year.

From great white sharks, breaching in the early morning light (a few years ago, we eagerly await their return), to humpback and southern right whales nursing calves near the coast, and common dolphins, and even dusky dolphins. surfing in massive pods—each season offers a unique wildlife spectacle. Whether you’re a marine biology student, nature photographer, adventure seeker, or conservationist, understanding the marine wildlife seasons in False Bay is key to planning the experience of a lifetime.

In this ultimate guide, we’ll walk you through the best times of year to see sharks, whales, dolphins, and more. We’ll also highlight what makes False Bay such a vital and dynamic marine ecosystem—and why it deserves your attention any month of the year.

Why False Bay Is a Marine Wonderland

Before diving into the seasons, it helps to understand what makes False Bay such a hotspot for marine biodiversity.

Where Two Oceans Meet

False Bay lies near the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, creating a unique confluence of warm and cold currents. This results in exceptional productivity—making the bay a feeding ground, nursery, and migration corridor for countless marine species.

A Range of Marine Habitats

Within the bay, you’ll find kelp forests, rocky reefs, deepwater trenches, sandy bottoms, and sheltered coves. These varied habitats support everything from invertebrates and fish to large marine mammals and top predators.

Marine Protected Areas

Much of False Bay falls within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which regulate fishing and human activity to preserve ecosystem health. This protection makes the bay a haven for observing natural behaviour without excessive human impact.

Marine Wildlife Seasons in False Bay: Month-by-Month Breakdown

To help you plan your trip—or time your marine research internship—here’s a month-by-month guide to what marine wildlife you can expect to see in False Bay.

January – Summer Showers and Dolphins in Action

* Weather: Warm and sunny, calm seas.

* Top Marine Sightings: Common dolphins, dusky dolphins, bait balls, pelagic birds and various shark species.

Summer in False Bay kicks off with common dolphin mega-pods, sometimes numbering in the thousands. These dolphins follow sardine and anchovy schools, often chased by Cape gannets and cormorants. You’re likely to see surface feeding frenzies with dolphins, birds, and occasionally Bryde’s whales.

Best For: Boat-based dolphin watching, pelagic tours, bird-watching enthusiasts, shark cage diving.

February – Dolphin Delight and Subtropical Surprises

* Weather: Hot days, clear seas, ideal for snorkelling.

* Top Marine Sightings: Common dolphins, Bryde’s whales, jellyfish blooms, bronze whaler sharks and for a very small window, hammerhead sharks.

February continues the dolphin excitement, with chances of spotting Bryde’s whales—a resident species that sometimes surfaces unexpectedly near dolphin pods. Jellyfish blooms are common, drawing in ocean sunfish (Mola mola).

Best For: Dolphin research, underwater photography, snorkelling near kelp forests, shark cage diving.

March – Late Summer Diversity

* Weather: Warm, slightly windier.

* Top Marine Sightings: Dusky dolphins, reef fish, small shark species and other larger shark species.

As temperatures begin to cool, so does marine activity. However, March offers fantastic underwater visibility—ideal for divers interested in False Bay’s kelp forests and resident reef species like shysharks and puffadder catsharks.

Best For: Shark tagging studies, diving internships, reef biodiversity surveys, shark cage diving.

April – Autumn Arrivals and Orca Watch

* Weather: Milder, with the first cold fronts.

* Top Marine Sightings: Orcas, sevengill cow sharks, bronze whaler sharks and dusky dolphins.

April is known for occasional sightings of orca (killer whales), particularly the notorious Port and Starboard—the two males responsible for displacing great whites. Sevengill cow sharks begin returning to coastal kelp forests, thrilling divers with their eerie, prehistoric presence.

Best For: Deep water observations, orca sightings, kelp forest diving, shark cage diving.

May – Shark Shifts and Seal Life

* Weather: Crisp mornings, flat seas.

* Top Marine Sightings: Bronze whaler sharks, Cape fur seals, seabirds.

This transitional period sees bronze whaler sharks becoming more common near seal colonies. While great white sightings decline due to orca presence and mostly, longline fishing, the hunting behaviour of other shark species becomes more visible.

Best For: Shark cage diving, marine predator research, seal colony visits.

June – Whale Season Begins

* Weather: Cool, calm seas; start of winter rains.

* Top Marine Sightings: Southern right whales, humpback whales, common dolphins, various shark species.

June marks the beginning of whale season in False Bay. Southern right whales start arriving to calve and breed, hugging the coastlines. Humpback whales, en route to East Africa, may also be spotted migrating northward.

Best For: Whale watching tours, drone-based whale surveys, acoustic monitoring, shark cage diving.

July – Peak Whale Season

* Weather: Rainy but calm ocean conditions.

* Top Marine Sightings: Southern right whales, humpbacks, Bryde’s whales, various shark species.

July is peak southern right whale season, with mothers and calves visible from land-based lookouts in Simon’s Town and Cape Point. Their slow movements and frequent breaches make them ideal for study and photography.

Best For: Whale biology internships, land-based research, acoustic behaviour studies, shark cage diving.

August – Breaching, Singing, and Whale Songs

* Weather: Cold but beautiful sunny breaks.

* Top Marine Sightings: Southern right whales, vocalising humpbacks, common dolphins, and shark cage diving.

Humpbacks become more vocal this time of year, making August an excellent month for hydrophone research. It’s also one of the best months to witness southern right whale breaches and fluke displays.

Best For: Whale acoustics research, guided tours, marine soundscape documentation, and shark cage diving.

September – Spring Begins, Seals and Sharks Return

* Weather: Mild days, increased sunshine.

* Top Marine Sightings: Bronze whaler sharks, seals, humpbacks.

With spring’s arrival, False Bay starts to warm up. Cape fur seal pups become more active, attracting sharks once again. Humpbacks are still around, with some southern rights beginning their journey back south.

Best For: Shark cage diving, pinniped studies, surface photography.

October – Kelp Forests Thrive, Shark Encounters Increase

* Weather: Warmer, clearer waters.

* Top Marine Sightings: Sevengill sharks, bronze whalers, reef species.

Visibility improves as upwelling slows, making this a great month to explore False Bay’s kelp forests. Sevengill sharks are commonly encountered by divers in areas like Miller’s Point.

Best For: Kelp diving safaris, shark interaction studies, coastal biodiversity mapping, shark cage diving.

November – Spring Migration Winds Down

* Weather: Warmer, windier days.

* Top Marine Sightings: Straggler whales, dolphin pods, ocean sunfish.

The last of the southern right whales depart, but common dolphins return in full swing, following bait balls into the bay. Ocean sunfish sightings increase around thermoclines.

Best For: Dolphin surveys, oceanography studies, migratory species monitoring, shark cage diving.

December – Summer Restarts, Dolphin Celebrations

* Weather: Hot, flat seas, ideal for boating.

* Top Marine Sightings: Common dolphins, seabirds, sunfish, various shark species.

December sees the start of the dolphin season once again, with large pods breaching and chasing sardines near the coast. Pelagic birds like Cape gannets, shearwaters, and storm petrels circle above, completing the wildlife spectacle.

Best For: Wildlife cruises, summer internships, marine photography, shark cage diving.

Top Marine Wildlife You Can See in False Bay Throughout the Year

Here’s a quick reference list of False Bay’s most popular marine species and when you’re most likely to see them:

| Species          | Best Viewing Months                |

| Bronze Whaler Shark  | April–October  |                      

| Sevengill Cow Shark  | March–November |

| Common Dolphin       | December–April, September–November  |

| Dusky Dolphin        | December–March |

| Southern Right Whale | June–October |

| Humpback Whale       | June–September  |

| Bryde’s Whale        | Year-round (sporadic) |

| Cape Fur Seal        | Year-round (pupping peaks in November) |

Why Marine Wildlife Seasons Matter

Understanding marine wildlife seasons in False Bay is critical not just for tourism, but also for research, conservation, and eco-education:

* For Researchers: Timing your fieldwork with seasonal migrations can make or break your study.

* For Tour Operators: Aligning trips with high-activity months increases success rates and guest satisfaction.

* For Interns & Students: Choosing the right season ensures exposure to your focus species, whether sharks, whales, or dolphins.

* For Conservationists: Monitoring population changes across seasons is key to understanding ecosystem health.

Planning Your Visit Around Wildlife Seasons

Whether you’re coming to False Bay as an eco-tourist, student, or aspiring marine biologist, here are some tips, and why knowing the marine wildlife seasons in False Bay is important:

1. Align your trip with your species of interest

Want to see dolphins? Visit in summer. Hoping for whale action? Winter’s your best bet.

2. Book with ethical operators

Choose companies that follow marine wildlife codes of conduct, avoid chasing or harassing animals, and partner with scientists.

3. Pack seasonally

Winter trips need warm gear and waterproofs. Summer trips need hats, reef-safe sunscreen, and layers.

4. Bring binoculars and a good camera

False Bay’s wildlife often performs above water—get ready to capture unforgettable moments.

In Conclusion, There’s Never a Wrong Time to Explore False Bay

Even though there are specific marine wildlife seasons in False Bay, each season in False Bay offers something spectacular—from playful dolphins in summer to majestic whales in winter, and shark sightings that will stay with you forever. Whether you’re tracking marine megafauna for research, diving in kelp forests, or just hoping to catch a glimpse of nature’s wildest moments, False Bay is where ocean dreams come to life.

So the next time you’re planning a marine-focused trip or internship, remember: the sea is always alive in False Bay. You just need to know when—and where—to look.