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Pelagic Birds

Pelagic bird watching in Cape Town is rapidly attracting more and more twitchers to our shores each year.

On our offshore trips we are right in the middle of one of the world’s best bird watching areas for pelagic sea birds and as such we offer specialized and personalized bird trips focusing on smaller groups. On virtually any given day 1 or more albatross species will be seen with up to 7 species been seen in one day. Not only do ocean currents and sea mounts in our area result in upwelling, creating favourable conditions for feeding but large commercial fishing vessels attract these birds by the thousand and upwards of 5000 birds have been recorded behind one boat.

Besides the huge albatross we also see at least 5 species of shearwater on a regular basis, various skua & petrel species and a multitude of other birds seldom seen. Close to Simonstown is also the famous Boulders beach penguin colony. On our sea bird trips off Cape Point we pass by the colony.

The penguins which are found here are the African penguins (formally known as the Jackass penguin, a name I feel more fitting) which are smaller than their well known cousin, the emperor penguin.

What these penguins lack in size they make up for with wacky character. Being surrounded by hundreds of these comical penguins is great fun and we guarantee a good time with great photographs when visiting.

So if you have a zest for pelagic birds and don’t wish to have to spend weeks at sea, the Cape Town pelagic bird species are definitely worth looking for. Contact us with your wish list and we will inform you of the best time of the year to see your choice of species.

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