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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Row, row, row your boat on the Cape Point Route!

What an amazing day on the Cape Point Route, perfect weather for jumping into a sea kayak in Simon's Town and exploring False Bay!

Simon van der Stel, who governed the Cape from 1679 – 1699, set out to seek a safe winter harbour for the Cape Colony and during his exploration of the peninsula “discovered” a natural protected harbour which he humbly named Simon’s Bay after himself. Hence the birth of Simon’s Town, established as a winter anchorage for good reason. Simon van der Stel was right – the waters of False Bay are calmer than Table Bay in winter and stillness prevails, making water sports one of the best kept winter secrets on the Cape Point Route.

Simon’s Town is home to the South African Navy, a waterfront, a yacht club and a world famous penguin colony. Water surrounds and infuses itself into your very being and one of the best ways to get really close to the water is to go sea kayaking. No other aquatic craft will give you the experience of immersion without physical dunking!

Sea kayaking is fun and fearless as adventures go, as the kayaks are safe and stable. Each paddler is kitted out with wet weather gear, lifejackets and designated to a boat and a paddle – and you get “the- idiots- guide – to- paddling” instructions with a dry land practice session before hitting the water and trying out the forward, backward, left and right directional turns.

Sea kayak trips go from the Simon’s Town waterfront and there is no mistaking that you are in a naval town. You paddle out along the harbour wall and gaze up at huge frigates and naval personnel bustling along with their daily duties. It is not uncommon to see boats or helicopters performing naval exercises or routine training drills.

As you round the harbour wall, however, seals and commorants distract you from the naval harbour and the sense of air, water and space descends. The sensation is surreal, the stillness is vast save the gentle plop of a paddle hitting the water or the sea kayak guide pointing out places of interest and sharing news on this historical town.

The most popular sea kayak trip takes you to the penguin colony at Boulders Beach, which takes 1 ½ - 2 hours which includes a short stop on the beach. The penguins who are so accustomed to human movement on land, react differently when you are in the water and seem more wary and suspicious of the cruising kayaks. With a colony of approximately 4000 African penguins they are very visible both on land and swimming in the water next to you. It is a startlingly different perspective and experience to gazing at the quirky characters from an elevated boardwalk.

Other popular kayak trips go to Cape Point itself or on a Simon’s Town harbour paddle but Simon’s Town Sea Kayakers are flexible and can arrange a sea kayak trip to almost any of the coves and bays that make up this magnificent stretch of coastline. You could request a paddle to Fish Hoek and stop for a meal at Fish Hoek Galley or head out to the Atlantic side if the wind is blowing in a South Easterly direction for a paddle at the base of Chapman’s Peak. The options are endless, you just have to ask.

To enhance your kayaking experience, we recommend spending a night or more on the Cape Point Route, trying out some of the great restaurants, browsing the shops, museums and galleries, going for long ambling walks and soaking up the sights, sounds and smells. For more fun ideas of what to do and where to go, contact the Cape Point Route on 021 782 9356 or visit the website: www.capepointroute.co.za

Presidential Fleet Review for SA Navy - 5 September

The SA Navy has honored the Commander in Chief of the South African National Defence Force President Thabo Mbeki with a Fleet Review on Friday 5 September 2008 in Simon’s Bay (False Bay).

The Fleet Review consisted of a number of phases being the arrival of the State President, the 21 gun salute for the President and the boarding of the SAS Protea (the White Lady) which was the ship chosen to take the President past the fleet to take the salute.

The ships that sailed past the President on SAS Protea (Hydrographic survey vessel), all in formation and keeping station as if connected by underwater cable, were the 4 X Frigates, SAS Drakensberg, , 2 X off-shore patrol vessels (ex strike-craft), 2 X mine-hunters, two submarines and 2 X inshore patrol vessels. SAS Protea was accompanied by 3 HPB’s as mini escort.

While sailing past the crews were lined up on deck, all tuned out in their whites and looking ever so smart, to salute their commander in Chief. When returning to port the Umalusi tug gave a magnificent display of her ability to spray huge amounts of water, as they do when new ships arrive in a port, which is part of her firefighting equipment.

Thanks to Eddie Wesselo for the information and images