A Day of Discovery on the Animal Ocean Safari
Today, we headed out in pristine, mirror-flat conditions. The weather was hot and cloudless, making for an amazing day on the ocean. As we left the harbor, we saw the new seal disentanglement platform in its testing phase on the boom. We were lucky to observe a few young Cape fur seals wrestling and playing before crossing the bay to the Bronze Leopard statue. This statue is stunning up close, with intricate patterning visible only with my 400mm lens and significant cropping. Often a silhouette against the landscape, it was a treat to see its details more vividly today.
The Heaviside’s dolphins were right up against the rocks, providing a wonderful view. Calm and graceful, they added a tranquil note to the morning. We then headed across to our newly discovered anemone reef at Noordhoek Beach. With the small swell, we snorkeled over the vast, sandy anemone bed found by Sam Sivewright. While most anemones were closed today, we’ll keep revisiting in hopes of catching them open.
Our next stop was at the cliffs for some cliff jumping, an activity everyone enjoyed. After finding ideal spots, we marveled at the views before leaping into the chilly water. On our way back, we spotted common dolphins feeding in unusually blue water, a refreshing change from the typical green waters here.
It was great to have Hanli Prinsloo with us on an Ocean Safari, sharing all the latest equipment and updates about Agulhas Ocean. As we explored the Maori shipwreck with its exceptional visibility, Hanli dove to examine the underwater terrain, resurfacing with excitement as she exclaimed, “There’s a rock lobster the size of a cat!” She was in her element, her presence adding a unique connection to the ocean’s depths.
We were also honored to have Sri Lankan whale researcher Asha de Vos on board, whose passion for marine life and conservation resonated throughout the day. Her insights into ocean ecology and exuberance for ocean life added an extra layer of learning to our safari, making it a memorable day of both adventure and discovery.
Next, we visited Seal Island to observe the Cape Seals. Sadly, we noted five deceased newborn pups, marking the start of the pupping season. We also saw Buffel, the Elephant Seal, carrying a dead adult fur seal—a stark reminder of nature’s cycle of life and death.
The day wrapped up with a snorkeling session in the kelp forest near Dungeons and Duiker Island. Visibility was pristine at 15–20 meters, and the vibrant marine life was mesmerizing. After an incredible day filled with diverse activities and unforgettable encounters, we returned to shore, feeling like we had experienced a whole world in one safari. It was truly wonderful.
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