Humpback whale washes up along Zululand coast

A whale carcass was spotted by beach-goers at iSimangaliso Wetland Park this morning.

June 16, 2026
Tamlyn Cramer 1 minute read
A humpback whale washed up in the vicinity of 9 Mile Beach north of Sodwana Bay. Photo: Supplied

A large dead humpback whale washed up along the Zululand coastline this morning (June 16), in the vicinity of 9 Mile Beach north of Sodwana Bay, within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

The carcass was spotted by beach-goers enjoying the Youth Day public holiday early in the morning, reports Zululand Observer.

According to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, in natural, protected areas, the carcass is allowed to decompose naturally, letting the nutrients seep back into the ecosystem.

Humpback whales migrate northwards, up the KZN coastline from June to August, calving in the warmer waters off Mozambique and Madagascar.

The humpback whale that washed up along the Zululand coastline this morning.

Because the fast-flowing Agulhas current pushes south, the whales hug the shallow inshore zone to conserve energy, making them highly visible from the coast.

They return south to the cold, nutrient-rich waters of the Antarctic in October and November, but can be seen from the shore until December.

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June 16, 2026
Tamlyn Cramer 1 minute read

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Tamlyn Cramer

With a background in publishing in the UK, Tamlyn has been in the news industry since 2013, working her way up from journalist to sub-editor. She holds a diploma in journalism from the London School of Journalism. Tamlyn has a passion for hard environmental news, and has covered many such stories during her time at the Zululand Observer. She is passionate about the written word and helping others polish their skill.
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