Table Mountain National Park
Western Cape · Best Sep to Apr
4 places
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Antarctic Tern
Sterna vittata
The Antarctic tern (Sterna vittata) is a typical tern.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Jun to Sep
When Antarctic Tern sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsJun to Sep
Recorded in Western Cape~73 records
Curve from 78 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property and not from this province. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.
Where you'll find it
Western Cape and beyond
Provinces where Antarctic Tern is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
78 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Antarctic Tern
Stays that give back
Across the Western Cape
Smitswinkel Tented Camp
Table Mountain National Park
From R 965a night
Antarctic Tern recorded here
Overseers Mountain Cottage
Table Mountain National Park
From R 4,009a night
Antarctic Tern recorded here
Slangkop Tented Camp
Table Mountain National Park
From R 770a night
Antarctic Tern recorded here
Olifantsbos Guest House
Table Mountain National Park
From R 4,859a night
Antarctic Tern recorded here
Wilderness Ebb-and-Flow Rest Camp
Garden Route National Park
From R 287a night
Antarctic Tern recorded here
West Coast National Park
West Coast National Park
From R 1,646a night
Antarctic Tern recorded here
Nature’s Valley Rest Camp (Tsitsikamma)
Garden Route National Park
From R 294a night
Antarctic Tern recorded here
More stays nearby
Coastal Retreat
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 26,450a night
Birder friendly
Thabile Lodge
Oudtshoorn
From R 1,400a night
Bitou River Lodge
Wittedrift, Plettenberg Bay
From R 2,250a night
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West
From R 5,636a night
Birder friendly
Welgelegen House by RETURN Africa
Gardens, Cape Town
From R 2,800a night
Babylonstoren
Klapmuts, Simondium
Price on request
An African Story by RETURN Africa
Bakoven, Cape Town
From R 9,900a night
Schoone Oordt Country House
Swellendam
From R 4,355a night
La Clé Lodge & Villas
Franschhoek
Price on request
Plumbago Cottage - Stanford Country Cottages
Stanford
From R 2,850a night
Lauradale
Stellenbosch
From R 1,465a night
Coot Club
Stanford
Price on request
Birder friendly
Moonshine on Whiskey Creek
The Crags, Plettenberg Bay
From R 1,950a night
Whale Coast Ocean Villa
Voëlklip, Hermanus
From R 2,235a night
Vergenoegd Löw Boutique Hotel & Spa
Somerset West
Price on request
Franschhoek Country House & Villas
Franschhoek
From R 6,195a night
Assendelft Lodge
Prince Albert
From R 1,200a night
The Whale Coast
Next stop
Southern right whales, sea cliffs, and Hermanus's harbour town
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Antarctic Tern
Hosts have recorded the Antarctic Tern at stays in or beside Table Mountain National Park, Garden Route National Park and Tsitsikamma National Park.
Best hours of the day
- The first hours after sunrise, and late afternoon. Birds call and feed most in the cool.
- Midday. Quieter, especially in summer heat.
Where to base yourself
Western Cape
Table Mountain · Garden Route · West Coast
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western CapeEastern Cape
Tsitsikamma
Eastern CapeSelf-driveStays in Eastern Cape
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
IUCN Red List
Least Concern
Species
Sterna vittata
Records
78
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Antarctic Tern on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Antarctic Tern in Western Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Antarctic Tern at stays in or beside Table Mountain National Park, Garden Route National Park, Tsitsikamma National Park and West Coast National Park. A record means a host has seen it on the property or nearby, which makes these the places to base yourself; it is never a guarantee of a sighting on any given day.
Where can you see the Antarctic Tern in South Africa?
The Antarctic Tern is most recorded in Western Cape (94% of records), Eastern Cape (6% of records), based on 78 iNaturalist observations. 7 places to stay on Spekboom in Western Cape have recorded the Antarctic Tern on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Antarctic Tern?
Sightings of the Antarctic Tern peak from Jun to Sep, based on 78 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the conservation status of the Antarctic Tern?
The Antarctic Tern (Sterna vittata) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Antarctic Tern?
The Antarctic tern (Sterna vittata) is a typical tern. It ranges throughout the southern oceans. It is very similar in appearance to the closely related Arctic tern, but is stockier, and the wing tips are grey instead of blackish in flight.