Bottlenose Dolphins in Rough and Calm
By Lloyd Edwards

1. News

After travelling to 7 continents and the Arctic in the last 18 months, it makes a nice change to be home again!

Although I have been to some of the most incredible marine destinations on the planet . . . Algoa Bay does really take some beating! The sheer diversity and biomass of animals and the changing weather and sea conditions keeps it all so exciting.

Another important aspect is our brilliant close encounter permit system. You are always alone with the animals, unlike in most other destinations. In some countries you have between 80 and 120 operators, all going to view the same animals. This surely has to have an impact.

I also think that South Africa as a whole can hold its head up high when it comes to tourism sustainability. We are simply streets ahead of even the first world countries, where money often seems to be the overriding factor. When doing marine tours abroad, always try and find operators that have been certified by the World Cetacean Alliance.

The attached images showcase our amazing "Bottlenose Dolphin Capital of the World" which we had proclaimed in 2016. The population then was estimated by scientists to be around 28 500. My guess is that this number would have increased by now. Are there any marine scientists out there who would like to come and do some more research? Please contact us!

In front of the guano collectors houses on St Croix Island. This area used to be covered in thousands of African Penguins, until over-fishing and ship to ship fuel transfers got in the way. Taken with a Nikon Z9 mirrorless, ISO 100, 84mm zoom, f/11 and 1/1600th second.

Waves crash up against the rocks at "Lovers Lane" . . . so called because this is where most mating takes place!

No matter if you get 400 or 600 in a pod, with a stills image, it never captures the actual size of the pod.

I love it when the water runs off the rocks and into the white foamy ocean.

For ever dolphin that breaks the surface, there at least another two below. So to get an idea of the pod size, count all the dollies that you see in the different areas and multiply by 3.

One needs to be vigilant when there is a big sea running . . . getting too close to the island could spell disaster!