During the past two weeks there have unfortunately been two whales that have washed up within a couple of kilometers from each other in the local area. The first whale was the Brydes Whale which was subsequently washed back out to sea. Severely decayed parts have since then washed up on the rocks at Hermanus New Harbour.

More recently a whale also washed up in a similar area on Die Plaat. The crew from Southern Right Charters were granted permission from Marine and Coastal Management to go and identify and take samples from the whale, which turned out to be a young Humpback Whale.

On a lighter note, August has offered some exceptional sightings of dolphins, with guests on board encountering mega pods of bottlenose as well as common dolphins.

Southern Right Charters sighting report for August:

• Countless sightings of Southern Right Whales.
• 14 Sightings of Humpback whales.
• 12 sightings of the Bryde’s whale.
• 3 Pods of Dolphins (excess of 1000 Dolphins).
• Many marine birds, including the Albatross, and other marine life such as penguins & seals also sighted.