A pod of about 30 Risso’s dolphins was observed in False Bay on 13 July after a boat tour from Simon’s Town proceeded despite morning fog.
The Simon’s Town Boat Company tour, led by owner Dave Hurwitz and guide Nanette Smith, first encountered over 2,000 common dolphins along with a Bryde’s whale, penguins and seals. The Risso’s dolphins appeared shortly after 1pm as the vessel returned to harbour.
Hurwitz described the species as seldom recorded in South African coastal waters and typically found in deeper offshore areas. He noted a previous sighting of 12 animals off Hout Bay last year and recalled that marine specialist Professor Ken Findlay had mentioned only one prior anomalous record inside False Bay.
Smith said the encounter left her in tears and that the animals showed feeding behaviour without signs of distress. Other observers later reported the pod heading toward deeper water.
