ST FRANCIS BAY WELCOMES THE WHALES
6 – 8 JUNE 2025
The Bay, The Port and The Cape come together for a celebration of the sea
Monday, 02 June 2025 – St Francis – including The Bay, The Port and The Cape – will once again come alive as the whales return to their coastline. From 6 to 8 June 2025, families, locals, and visitors are invited to participate in a weekend that celebrates these magnificent giants of the ocean with various events across the village.
A programme for all ages
The weekend kicks off on Friday, 6 June, at Cape St Francis Resort with Whale Tails, a 360° sensory experience presented by Silent Soul. Children and adults alike will be able to lie back on bean bags, put on a headset, and be transported into the underwater world of whales through immersive storytelling, visuals and sound. Sessions run every 30 minutes from 4pm to 7pm.
On Saturday morning, the beachfront at Cape St Francis Resort hosts A Whale of a Time, a sandcastle building competition open to teams of two or more, hosted by Just Property. From families to friends or corporate teams, all are welcome, with great prizes to be won.
At 10:15 am, the Welcome the Whales Silent Soul Experience offers a beach-based wellness session. Guests are invited to stretch, breathe and listen to whale songs while guided through light movement, a calming way to connect with nature.
From 10am to 2pm, a Mini Market at St Francis Brewery will showcase local produce, crafts, and food. Entry is free and the market offers a relaxed way to enjoy the day while supporting local crafters.
The Whale Tails experience returns from 1pm to 4pm at the Resort, followed by a rare opportunity to hear from marine conservationist Lloyd Edwards at 2pm. Lloyd, from Raggy Charters, has travelled the world to study whale behaviour and drive conservation efforts. His talk at Cape St Francis Resort promises deep insight into global marine research.
Sunday’s trail
Sunday’s focus is on nature and reflection. At 10am, the Trail of the Whale begins from Seal Point Lighthouse and winds along the Wildside Trail to Sunset Rock. This self-guided walk allows participants to set their own pace, with Tim Christy and his team from St Francis Safaris and the team of St Francis Sport positioned along the route to assist with whale sightings and point out other marine life.
Weekend highlights and specials
Throughout the weekend, St Francis Safaris will offer guided whale watching cruises at 9am, 1pm and 3pm daily. In celebration of the event, they’re running a two-for-one special – pay for one guest and bring a second for free.
Kids can also take part in the Whale Art competition. From drawings to decorated models, artwork can be submitted at the Cape St Francis Resort or the St Francis Tourism Office by Thursday, 5 June. Prizes will be awarded on Saturday.
Local restaurants will be highlighting the Calamari Route, a nod to the bay’s seafood heritage and one of the Whales favourite snacks.
For tickets, visit www.quicket.co.za, buy on the day at the venues, or contact St Francis Tourism on 060 53 0516.
It’s going to be a weekend to remember – see you there.
WHATS ON DIARY
St Francis Bay Welcomes the Whales | 6–8 June 2025
Celebrate the return of the whales with a weekend of family-friendly events including whale watching cruises, immersive experiences, beach yoga, live music, kids’ art, markets and more. Activities take place across The Bay, The Port and The Cape. Tickets via Quicket or St Francis Tourism.
DATES: 6–8 June 2025
TIMES: Various times, refer to the schedule available on Quicket
VENUES: St Francis Bay, Cape St Francis
PRICES: Various ticket prices, refer to Quicket.
ABOUT ST FRANCIS – The Bay, The Port and The Cape
Experience the unspoiled beauty of the greater St Francis area in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Where pristine beaches, charming villages, abundant wildlife, fauna and flora await. Enjoy thrilling water sports, the great outdoors, incredible bird-watching spots, and world-class golf courses. It’s an untouched paradise, just waiting for you to explore.
CONTACT
Hantie van der Westhuizen
Office Manager
042 294 0076 / 0605310516
Read further: All the event details cane be found on the St Francis Tourism website here
Further reading: Blue Cheese on Wheels: A Surf Dad Story
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