Logging and Slapping

The Southern Right Whales in front of our Cape Point Route office in Glencairn were “logging” and “slapping” today. Logging is when the whale is basically “hanging out” and resting – no cruising, no movement forwards, just chilling out at the surface of the water with a fin showing above the water or exposing a bit of skin above the surface!

There was a little slapping going on too and let me tell you this does not mean bashing the other whale on the head! Slapping occurs when the whale lifts its flippers and lets them crash onto the surface of the water in a slapping motion!

Lobtailing is usually a more common behavioural pattern and that is when the whale goes upside down with its head under water and it’s tail is exposed and then slammed onto the surface of the water. Although this is more common behaviour for Southern Right Whales I think the ones in front of our office were tired from ‘showing off’ this weekend for all the visitors to the Cape Point Route!

Whales are plentiful in False Bay at the moment– so much so that there was a temporary closure of Boyes Drive (scenic road between Muizenberg and Kalk Bay) due to traffic jams from whale watchers!

Like breaching, no –one knows for sure why whales lobtail and slap but it has been suggested that it is a form of non-verbal communication. Some scientists have suggested that is a form of foraging as the slap is so loud that that it frightens fish into a tight school making it easier for whales to feed on them!

Our only problem with this theory is that Southern Right Whales don’t eat fish! (Humpback whales do though!)

Southern Right whales are baleen- feeding whales that use a comblike strainer of baleen plates and bristles to ensnare tiny morsels of food as they swim – so they literally skim the water by swimming slowly with their mouths open and are constantly eating – zooplankton, krill and other tiny organisms.

If you want to get up close and personal - book a whale watching boat trip. Trips leave daily from Simon's Town Harbour at 9am, 12 noon and 14h30 (weather dependent)
Cost is R800 for adults and R500 for children for the 3 hour boat trip.

Bookings: 021 782 9356
Email: info@capepointroute.co.za

IMAGES:
Courtesy of D. Hurwitz - Simon's Town Boat Company and E. Sittig - Germany

Surfing with Whales!

The whales are here! Whilst it is still not peak whale watching season, one of our favourite creatures in the south peninsula have returned to our shores in their annual migration. As Grete from the Southern Right Hotel recently said “ I am so glad the southern right whales have arrived. I cant wait to hear them blow, can't think of anything better to replace the sound of the Vuvuzela's.”

So yes despite the World Cup aftermath, there is lots to do. It’s one of the best times to go surfing, especially in Muizenberg which has amongst the best waves for learning to surf or perfecting ones skills.

It is also whale season and whilst land based whale watching is spectacular all along the Cape Point Route, there is nothing that beats getting up close and personal on a whale watching boat trip from Simon’s Town. You do not have to drive to Hermanus as many people think. The whales are on our doorstep – just drive 30 minutes south of the city centre to the Cape Point Route and you’ll find them! There are plenty of other boat trips from Simon’s Town as well – all worth the ride!

If you are really lucky you can go surfing with whales. Seriously this is not an activity to try randomly at home! But we just love these pictures taken yesterday by Dave Jones from the wonderful Empire Café in Muizenberg who manages to combine fantastic food (and some great specials) with loads of surfing and loving and living life on the Cape Point Route! (become his friend on facebook for regular updates on all things happening in Muizenberg and at Empire Café).

Whilst you at it – make sure you join the Cape Point Route fan page on Facebook for updates on the Cape Point Route!

As so many of our visitors to the World Cup discovered, one of the unique attractions in the Cape is shark cage diving and viewing. Boats leave from Simon’s Town on a morning or afternoon boat trip to seal island in False Bay – home to the breaching great white sharks.

So yes it’s back to work and school and reality but hey – this is work! Cape Point Route gets to tell everyone how amazing Cape Town and the south peninsula really is! Not a bad job! Let me get back to work now!

Cape Point Route offers a wide range of Accommodation, Activities,
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CAPE PENINSULA, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA