Bryde's Whales in Walkerbay, Hermanus

Bryde’s whales are named after a Norwegian, John Bryde, who, in 1912, helped construct the first South African whaling factory in the early 1900s.

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The most distinctive external character from other baleen whales is

• the presence of three prominent ridges on the head that run from the tip of the snout.
• The top of the head is broad and flat.
• The dorsal fin is about 45 cm long, sickle-shaped and with a pointed tip.

Bryde’s whales do not gather in large groups, usually seen singly or in groups of 2-3. In this area, they are inshore, within 20miles from the coast and are seen throughout the year.  It is common to see Bryde’s whales feeding in patches of sardines or anchovy, especially in summer. They consume about 600kg fish per day. Bryde’s Whales move slow, 2- 7 km/ph. but can swim as fast as 20-25km/hr. Like other baleen whales, they have 2 blowholes. Their spout is 3-4m high. Bryde’s whales produce short, powerful low-frequency moaning sounds.