PELAGIC TRIPS OFF THE CAPE

Anne Gray is the most experienced guided pelagic trip operator in Cape Town, having pioneered the first regular commercial guided pelagic trips in 1997. Anne has organised over 100 trips in the last five years. (More about Anne Gray)

Passengers board the vessel "Zest II" in Simonstown at 07:00, along with our highly competent skipper, Harry Dilley, his crew and the guides for the day. Our guides are all hugely experienced seabirders, and are happy to pass on information to both the experienced and novice birder.

The trip to Cape Point gives passengers the opportunity to admire the sweep of the False Bay coastline and to see the typical bay species (African Penguins, Cape Gannets and several species of Cormorant).

After a short photo opportunity at the impressive Point itself, our boat heads south in search of fishing vessels. Within minutes, the first pelagic species may be spotted (such as White-chinned Petrel, Pintado Petrel, Great Shearwater) and as we head further out to sea, Albatrosses and Storm Petrels are soon to be found.

Dolphins, whales, seals and sunfish are often seen, and will be identified by our guides.

The ultimate goal of any pelagic expedition is to locate a fishing trawler, where the pelagic birds congregate in vast groups, with thousands of birds of several species. The birds are flying overhead, diving, bobbing on the surface, bickering with the seals, feeding - it is a quite awesome spectacle and has to be seen to be truly appreciated.

After a light snack provided by the crew, we head back for Simonstown, keeping an eye out for birds we may have missed on the way out. We're usually back in the harbour at around 15:30.

 

 

 

Photo credits: Jim Enticott, Anne Gray, Trish Myers Smith

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