Humpback whales can be found in most oceans and are well known for their extensive migrations which are some of the longest documented for any mammal species (over 8000 km in one direction). They migrate from their feeding grounds in polar waters to their breeding grounds in tropical waters. Why do they undertake these long READ MORE
The guests on our 09h30 trip were lucky to witness a southern right whale breaching just 100m away from the boat. It is astonishing how a 60 ton animal can propel its whole body out of the water. Why do they breach? It’s unknown, but could be a form of communication or to dislodge parasites READ MORE
Humpback whales are baleen (filter feeder) whales and belong to the Balaenoptera family. They are probably the most easily recognisable and familiar of all the large whale species in the world. Their scientific name Megaptera novaeangliae is derived from the Greek words “mega” meaning large and “pteron” meaning wing (referring to their long pectoral flippers READ MORE
Coral reefs are a beautiful and exotic attraction for many people around the world, and serve as an important economic benefit to the countries that have them on their coastlines. Many people do not realise that corals are actually colonies of animals (not plants) and are usually associated with clear, warm water in the tropics. READ MORE
Cape Gannets are large white birds with black wing tips, yellow skull cap, blue eyes and a prominent black line around the eyes. They are famous for their impressive plunge dive into the ocean at high speed to capture fish. They are able to survive this high impact due to an air cushion between the READ MORE
People use the term dolphin, porpoise and whale to describe marine mammals belonging to the order Cetacean (from the Greek work ketos, “large sea creature”), and often use them incorrectly. Cetaceans are divided into two groups; baleen whales (Mysticeti) and toothed whales (Odontoceti). The main differences between these two groups are that the baleen whales READ MORE
The first southern right whales have been sighted in Plettenberg Bay just off Robberg. These magnificent animals swim from their feeding grounds in Antarctic waters to their breeding grounds off southern Africa every year. Plettenberg Bay is one of the bays they use during their breeding, so we can expect that this is the first READ MORE
When going on a trip with Ocean Blue we visit the Cape fur seal colony which is situated on the eastern side of the Robberg Peninsula. The guests enjoy watching the seals playing in the water or sleeping on the rocks. Do you know that when seals sleep they will occasionally open one eye to READ MORE
Dugongs (Dugong sp.) and manatees (Trichechidaesp.) are the two existing families of the order Sirenia or sea cows. The name Sirenia comes from Greek mythology meaning mermaid. Sirenia’s are unique among all marine mammals since they are strictly herbivores. There are three living species of manatees and one of dugongs, but out of the two, READ MORE
White-breasted cormorants are magnificent birds that can be seen during our boat trips. They sit on the rocks on the Robberg Peninsula or can be seen diving for fish in shallow waters along the beach. They differ from the Cape cormorant with their white breast and larger body size. Did you know? They don’t have READ MORE