Some birthdays you spend with cake and candles, others you spend tracking apex predators across one of South Africa’s most dramatic marine landscapes. This year, I was lucky enough to experience the latter, and I honestly haven’t felt this excited since I was a kid tearing into Christmas presents.
We set off into False Bay on one of those magical winter days that feels like spring came early, not a breath of wind, blue skies, and calm seas that make you feel like anything is possible. I was invited along on a private trip with Dave from the Simon’s Town Boat Company, joined by a small group of friends and staff, just five of us on board, which made it feel even more special.
Word had spread earlier that morning that Port and Starboard, the notorious orca duo known for targeting great white sharks, had been spotted near the coast. Naturally, we headed in that direction, eager to confirm the sighting and, fingers crossed, catch a glimpse ourselves.
And sure enough, just off Roman Rock Lighthouse, there they were those unmistakable dorsal fins, one leaning left, the other right, unmistakable even from a distance. Seeing these two is always a thrill, but this time the calm conditions and elevated view from the top deck made for my clearest sighting yet. Port came in close to the boat, gliding silently beneath the surface. Starboard was more elusive, keeping well over a kilometer away. We quietly observed them, snapped some photos, and soaked in the moment a rare and peaceful encounter.
Then, just as we were settling into the moment, a call came through the radio: another pair of orcas had been spotted on the far side of the bay, and they were in full pursuit of a pod of common dolphins.
We didn’t hesitate. Full throttle across the bay, past Seal Island, hearts racing. When we arrived, the scene unfolding in front of us was breathtaking. A massive male orca, easily 8 metres long, and a smaller female were locked in an intense high-speed chase, honing in on a young common dolphin. The agility and speed of the dolphin were impressive, but the orcas were never far behind. You could feel the tension in the air.
What struck me most was how long the chase went on. These orcas could have ended it quickly, yet they seemed to hold back, playing with their prey, testing it, maybe teaching a lesson. For over an hour, we followed the pursuit, watching in awe as this wild ocean drama unfolded before us. Eventually, the chase drifted further out into open water, and we turned back toward the harbor, still buzzing.
It was, without a doubt, one of the most unforgettable wildlife encounters I’ve ever had. The scale, the power, the rawness of it all. False Bay never fails to deliver something extraordinary. You truly never know what’s waiting out there on the water.
All in all, not a bad way to celebrate a birthday. Check out the footage on our Instagram page and extended version on our YouTube channel – @CapeRADD
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