Dolphins in False Bay

Yesterday was a peach of a day in Cape Town – there was no wind, temperature was just right and the sea was perfectly calm. We were treated to a school of dolphins playing happily in Glencairn Bay, Simon's Town. Easy viewing and a good distraction from the office! How lucky we are to be able to watch dolphins playing from our office!

Whilst I was dreaming of being out in False Bay with the dolphins, the dive boys from Pisces Divers next door to us were out in False Bay and supplied us with this photograph of the dolphins. Thanks to Jacques de Vos who took the shot! I’m not sure from the photo which species of dolphins these ones were but common dolphin species in the region include bottlenose dolphins and dusky dolphins. It is not uncommon to see these playful creatures if you are out on a boat trip in False Bay, which you can book through Cape Point Route.

Dolphins are marine mammals and are closely related to whales. Dolphins are among the most intelligent animals and their friendly nature and playful attitude have made them popular in human culture. Dolphins are social creatures and can live in pods ranging from a dozen individuals to thousands! Their main source of food is fish and squid and dolphins will typically “herd” a school of fish into a group (known as a bait ball), then take turns plowing through the the ball of fish and feed on the stunned fish! One of the most incredible traits of dolphins is their vocalization – whistles, clicks and burst- pulsating sounds. Fascinating and beautiful if you have the luck to hear them communicating. Dolphins have very few natural enemies – only the larger species of shark like the great white shark prey on dolphins.

Did You Know? How did False Bay get its’ name?

False Bay was given its name by pioneering navigators who mistook the vast natural bay for Table Bay when seeking to replenish their supplies. In reality though, False Bay is the largest true bay along the South African coast and is considered to be one of the great bays of the world.

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Don’t be Fooled – Whale Tales in Glencairn

PICTURES:
1. A real whale tail in False Bay (Photo: Dave Hurwitz)
2. Whale Tail Buoy in Glencairn
3. Another view of the whale tail buoy in Glencairn

It may not be April Fool’s Day but many a resident and visitor to Glencairn has been hooked into what could have been a perfect joke for 1 April 2010. A whale tail has been erected in the bay at Glencairn. Cape Point Route has been hugely entertained over the past few days as cars, buses, walkers and runners in the south peninsula have stopped near Glencairn Beach to gaze at the tail of a whale lobtailing in Glen Bay.

(Lobtailing is the act of a whale lifting its flukes out of the water and then bringing them down onto the surface of the water hard and fast in order to make a loud slap. Large whales tend to lobtail by positioning themselves vertically downwards into the water and then slapping the surface by bending the tail stock).

Whales can be seen in our local waters from as early as May but the peak period is around September and October, hence the surprise to see a whale tail bobbing in the bay in April! What could and has been quite easily mistaken for a real whale is actually a fibreglass whale tail which is meant to guide sailors and yachtsmen during regattas. The tail is in fact a buoy that is used as a race marker during regattas hosted by the False Bay Yacht Club in Simon’s Town. The whale tail buoy is the brainchild of Southern Right Hotel, who sponsored the buoy.

Operational manager at Southern Right Hotel and Boulders Beach Lodge Janine Genade says, “You will always be able to see a whale from the deck of the Southern Right Hotel”. The Whale Tail Buoy was crafted onto a buoy and has been permanently moored, 200 metres from Glencairn beach. Janine Genade said that the Southern Right Hotel prides itself on being involved with unique community projects like this and that is exciting to put a landmark in the ocean. The False Bay Yacht Club manager said that the location of the whale tail buoy will improve the racing courses and add a new dimension to yacht racing.

Whales can also be seen in season on a whale watching boat trip but there are some great marine adventures and boat trips to be had all year round.

Congratulations to the Southern Right Hotel for their innovative marker off the beach in Glencairn – hope the rest of you aren’t fooled! Please let us know if you do see a real whale and book your trip to visit the Cape Point Route in Whale Season (August - November)