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 300 trips in the last 13 years.
(More
about Anne Gray)
Passengers will be met by their pelagic guide for the day at the Town Pier in Simon's Town to board the boat.
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, Patrick Cardwell
