Cape Gannets can be seen year round in Plettenberg Bay and are often encountered on our trips out with Ocean Blue. These remarkable birds can be seen plunging into the ocean at high speeds to catch fish. Their plunge dive takes them to depths of 10 m, allowing them to catch fish that are well READ MORE
Bryde’s whales (Balaenopetra brydei) are resident in South African coastal waters and can be seen in Plettenberg Bay all year round. Bryde’s whales are divided into two forms, inshore and offshore, and studies have shown that these are genetically separate subspecies. They were first described off South Africa by Ørjan Olsen, a Norwegian whaler in READ MORE
There are a few different species of seals that can be found along the South African coastline. Most commonly seen is the Cape fur seal , but Sub Antarctic fur seals , Leopard seals and Southern Elephant seals are also spotted. There are two types of elephant seals, the Northern (Mirounga angustirostris) and Southern (Mirounga READ MORE
This week we found several groups of bottlenose dolphins playing in the surf along Keurbooms beach. Often the dolphins surf a wave and leap out the back of it providing the guests with an amazing show and great photo opportunity. Did you know that one of the reasons that bottlenose dolphins spend time in the READ MORE
The marine environment is threatened by overfishing, ocean acidification, chemical pollution and plastic debris . Another significant problem faced by the marine environment is ever increasing noise levels. Most humans are unaware of these sounds and it appears that the ocean is quiet. Natural sounds such as the calls of whales and dolphins are familiar READ MORE
On a typical boat trip with Ocean Blue, we will visit the Cape Fur Seal colony that is located on the northern side of the Robberg Peninsula. Here guests can view the seals sunning themselves on the rocks, as well as socialising through play in the shallow waters – an experience that is sure to READ MORE
On the 10 of January 2015 a rare whale species stranded on Robberg Beach in Plettenberg Bay. It turned out to be one of the Kogia species which include the Pygmy (Kogia breviceps) and Dwarf (Kogia sima) Sperm whales. Until 1966 all kogia were seen as one species, but were later separated into two distinct READ MORE
While passing the seal colony on our boat trips this week, we spotted the Elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) on the rocks. During this time of the year he is molting his fur. He clearly stands out on the rocks and in the water with his light brown fur and larger body size then the Cape READ MORE
One of the dolphin species seen on a regular basis in Plettenberg Bay is the humpback dolphin. In the world there are 4 species of humpback dolphin, the Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii) and 3 types of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (S. plumbea, S. chinensis and S. sahulensis). For a long time it was believed that READ MORE
Cuttlefish, despite the name, are in fact not fish but molluscs. Together with octopus, squid and nautiluses they belong to the class Cephalopoda (meaning to have the head and foot joined). Cuttlefish have a large head with prominent eyes and two fins running along the side of the mantle (main body). Some species can reach READ MORE