The life and soul of the Garden Route
Sightings
Throughout the year a host of wonderful marine and bird life is encountered in our bay.
At the mouth of the Keurbooms River, you will find one of the largest seagull breeding colonies along the South African coast at the mouth of the Keurbooms River.
There are many other pelagic birds in the area as well as the endangered African oystercatcher which live along the shores.
We are not a permitted whale watching vessel but our bay is so full of surprises and we are often amazed by the wonderful sightings that include whales, dolphins, marlin, sunfish, sharks and even the cape clawless otter.
See below a list of marine life and land animals we could encounter on our trips around the bay and the peninsula.
Ocean Sightings
Land Sightings
Other Sightings
MARLIN
It has an elongated body, a spear-like snout or bill, and a long, rigid dorsal fin which extends forward to form a crest
TURTLE
Turtles are endangered world – wide and unfortunately, it is the nesting females that are most at risk when they come ashore to lay eggs.
SUNFISH
Sunfishes are so called because of their habit of drifting at the surface as if basking in the sun
CAPE CLAWLESS OTTER
In Plettenberg Bay there is believed to be at least 4 family groups of Cape Clawless Otter. Tracks are regularly seen on the main beach at the Piesang River, along Lookout Beach, in and around Salt River, Natures Valley and at the Matjies River bank near Arch Rock, Keurbooms.
THE KNYSNA SEAHORSE
The Knysna seahorse is the best known, and is the only seahorse that is endangered. Knysna seahorses are found only in the Knysna, Keurbooms and Swartvlei estuaries on the south coast of South Africa.
PANSY SHELL
Beach walkers and nature lovers of the Garden Route delight in finding this rare beauty intact and washed up by the Indian Ocean currents. The Pansy Shell, (also known as a Sand Dollar) makes its appearance on the Keurbooms Beach, Plettenberg Beach
KNYSNA LOERIE
The Knysna Loerie, or Knysna Turaco, is usually seen flying between forest trees, or hopping with agility along branches. Turacos are social, moving in small, noisy flocks.
ORANGE BREASTED SUNBIRD
Found primarily in the southern cape fynbos areas. They breed when the fynbos Erica flowers, typically in May. The male defends its territory aggressively, attacking and chasing intruders.