Ocean Odyssey Knysna

10/09/2024

It's so cool to have more and more southern right whales return to our shores each year.
They are so calm and relaxed in our bays and always a treat to watch.

09/09/2024

We have to share this.
Mark Dixon from the Strandloper Project have been following the movements of the southern right whales along our coastline, and Rose Travelbug Rose Blogger spotted a southern right whale breaching while flying along Paradise Ridge, near Gericke's Point. She contacted Mark Dixon to tell him of her sighting. Mark, already aware of the whale, headed to Klein Krantz in Wilderness where they met up, and this is what took place next:
Mark launched his drone just before the southern right whale started a display of breaching and tail slapping. It seemed to be communicating with an approaching whale. (Mark was certain he spotted another southern right early at Gericke's)
The whale hovered in one spot for a while and even seemed to go back in the direction of Gericke's Point. After a short wait, and to their suprise, this happened.

05/09/2024

We have never seen a group of people so happy to see a whale. 🐋 😄
Thank you for the video Skip Eastern

05/09/2024

Nothing will sweeten up your day like a good cup of coffee and a slice of delicious cake. 😋
We are open from 8 am to 5 pm, 7 days a week, serving all kinds of eats and treats

04/09/2024

We very excited about this talk!! It's such an amazing concept. Looking forward to seeing you all there.

🌟 Talk of the Town Tuesday: The Cradle of Culinary Culture 🌟

Join us for an engaging and educational evening at Knysna Yacht Club, where experts will dive into the fascinating relationship between culinary arts, tourism, and conservation in South Africa! Discover how eco-tourism, culinary adventures, and cultural heritage are shaping a new era of sustainable tourism in the Cape Floral Region.

🗓 Date: Tuesday, 17th September
🕔 Time: 17:30 for 18:00
📍 Location: Knysna Yacht Club Restaurant
💰 Cost: R70 per person (Kids under 12 are free)
🍔 Extras: Cash bar & Burger Night

🎟️ Limited seats available! Secure your spot by booking online or pay at the door. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to learn and contribute to our educational projects. Proceeds help fund talks for local schools, so your attendance makes a difference!

👉 Click here to book your tickets now: https://knysnaestuary.co.za/product/talk-of-the-town-tuesday-september/

Brought to you by: Knysna Estuary Research Foundation, Knysna Yacht Club , and Ocean Odyssey Knysna

04/09/2024

Happy whale tail Wednesday!!

We always love a bit of tail action.
And boy can whales use those powerful paddles for all kinds of movements!!

The tail display of a diving whale is the most spectacular to see, but this means that they are going deep. Once a whale dives, they do one of 2 things, they either try to get away from their current position or expect a breach 😃 😊

Tail slapping!! Imagine that huge tail slapping the surface of the water with full force. It's still a bit of a mystery why they do it, but scientists believe that it has to do with communication.

And then there is the tail sailing action. This is when a whale lifts its tail out of the water to "catch the wind" and drift along happily using only the forces of nature to do so.

30/08/2024

What a beautiful start to the weekend 😍
Weather conditions are perfect for a beautiful day out on the ocean, and the next week looks fantastic.
We are going to relish in the sunshine and stunning ocean conditions.

28/08/2024

It's International Clean Up Day on the 21st of September.
And, as per normal, we will be giving our beautiful estuaries, beaches, and reefs the much deserved LOVE it needs.

We would love you to join us for our yearly get-together in the Knysna area where we as a community try and make a positive impact in our environment, while, of course, enjoying the stunning views and meet amazing like-minded people.

🌎 Let's make a difference together! If you wish to take part, please comment below or
Email [email protected] to volunteer 🙋🏻‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️

Our partnere this year is

27/08/2024

What a treat to have the tourism students from Walter Sisulu University in East London visit us yesterday. Skipper Johannes took them out for a bit of estuary exploring.

Thank you guys, you were a lot of fun. Nice to see young blood in tourism with so much enthusiasm 👌🏽

26/08/2024

It's nearing the end of August, and we have had some wonderful moments on the ocean.
Let's see what the week brings.

26/08/2024

Thank you for sharing 😊😊

21/08/2024

Another successful talk was held by Knysna Estuary Research Foundation and Ocean Odyssey Knysna at the Knysna Yacht Club.
This time, our guest speaker was Mark Dixon from the Strandloper Project 🐟🐚🦀🐙🦈

Mark gave an in-depth talk about his research on the different kinds of plastic debris along our coastline, the huge impact it has on humans, our marinelife, and our intercoastal marine life.
It was absolutely fascinating and informative.
These dedicated local champions focus on fostering marine conservation through citizen science.
All this came about in January 2018 when a group of concerned locals in the Garden Route organized a reef clean up dive to remove snagged recreational fishing tackle from the inshore reef at Gericke's Point 4km west of the coastal village of Sedgefield.
To find out more, visit his website:
https://www.strandloperproject.org/index.html
Thank you so much for what you do.

19/08/2024

DONT MISS OUT ON TOMORROWS TALK!

🌊 Join us for an Inspiring Talk on Coastal Conservation! 🌊
Knysna Estuary Research Foundation
Next Tuesday, the 20th, we're excited to host Mark, the founder of the Strandloper Project , for a captivating talk titled "Coastal Research Expedition: Mapping Ocean Plastic Waste and ALDFG in the Southern Cape." 🐟

Mark started the Strandloper Project in 2018, aiming to clean up snagged fishing tackle from the reefs at Gericke’s Point. With his background as a CCAMLR Scientific Observer in the Ross Sea, Mark recognized the opportunity to study the impacts of ghost fishing, lead poisoning, and entanglements caused by recreational fishing. His work soon expanded to include extensive coastal research expeditions, mapping the density and distribution of ocean plastic and abandoned fishing gear along our shores. 🌍

As a passionate naturalist and active field researcher in various environmental fields, including ornithology and marine science, Mark brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. He's dedicated to the belief that understanding our environment starts with diligent observation and hands-on research.

Buy your ticket here: www.knysnaestuary.co.za/product/talk-of-the-town-tuesday-august/

📅 When: 20th August 2024
📍 Where: Knysna Yacht Club
💵 Cost: R70 (All proceeds will fund a similar talk for underprivileged schools in the area)

Don't miss this chance to learn about the challenges facing our coastlines and how you can be part of the solution. See you there! 👏 Learn more and follow updates: www.knysnaestuary.co.za/talk-of-the-town-tuesday/

Knysna Yacht Club

About the Initiative Welcome to the Talk of the Town Tuesday Series, a monthly event hosted at the Knysna Yacht Club in collaboration with KERF and Ocean Odyssey. Our mission is to disseminate cutting-edge research to our community, featuring topics on the ecology and biology and environmental statu...

19/08/2024

"🌊 Let's give our beautiful beaches some much deserved LOVE! ❤️ this 📢 International Coastal Cleanup Day 📢
🌴 Join us in Knysna and surrounds for a MASS clean up on Saturday 21st September 2024 and help keep our coast clean and pristine. 🙌 Not only will you be making a positive impact on the environment, but you'll also get to enjoy the stunning views and meet some amazing like-minded individuals.
🌎 Let's make a difference together! Comment below if you're in and keen 💙

Email [email protected] to volunteer 🙋🏻‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️

Local Brew and Brunette Ocean Odyssey Knysna Seeff Knysna Revive Knysna

19/08/2024

We had such a busy week last week that we almost forgot to share these. Taken on the 9h30 trip 13 Aug.
It was of the super pod of common dolphins spotted a few miles out and always an exceptional sighting.
It looks like a good week ahead. Let's see what the ocean has on offer.

17/08/2024

What a lovely afternoon on the water. The weather was warm, and on our last trip, we were entertained by a young humpback whale bull breaching close to the boat.
What a way to end the day!!
WOW ❤️

15/08/2024

Thank you for joining us. 😊❤️😊

15/08/2024

🌊 Join us for an Inspiring Talk on Coastal Conservation! 🌊
Knysna Estuary Research Foundation
Next Tuesday, the 20th, we're excited to host Mark, the founder of the Strandloper Project , for a captivating talk titled "Coastal Research Expedition: Mapping Ocean Plastic Waste and ALDFG in the Southern Cape." 🐟

Mark started the Strandloper Project in 2018, aiming to clean up snagged fishing tackle from the reefs at Gericke’s Point. With his background as a CCAMLR Scientific Observer in the Ross Sea, Mark recognized the opportunity to study the impacts of ghost fishing, lead poisoning, and entanglements caused by recreational fishing. His work soon expanded to include extensive coastal research expeditions, mapping the density and distribution of ocean plastic and abandoned fishing gear along our shores. 🌍

As a passionate naturalist and active field researcher in various environmental fields, including ornithology and marine science, Mark brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. He's dedicated to the belief that understanding our environment starts with diligent observation and hands-on research.

Buy your ticket here: www.knysnaestuary.co.za/product/talk-of-the-town-tuesday-august/

📅 When: 20th August 2024
📍 Where: Knysna Yacht Club
💵 Cost: R70 (All proceeds will fund a similar talk for underprivileged schools in the area)

Don't miss this chance to learn about the challenges facing our coastlines and how you can be part of the solution. See you there! 👏 Learn more and follow updates: www.knysnaestuary.co.za/talk-of-the-town-tuesday/

Knysna Yacht Club

14/08/2024

This morning, we entertained the SATSA FAM group in Knysna.
Thank you, Terry, for hosting the group and thank you for everyone who participated.
The Lofts Boutique Hotel
Turbine Hotel & Spa
Sirocco Restaurant
Blackwaters River Lodge
Lithemba Crafts & Tours
Black n White Visual Media

Photos by Travelbug Rose Blogger
To all that donated the gif packs, a HUGE Thank You 😊 !!!
Knysna people rock

13/08/2024

Our cosy corner on Thesen Island.
Yes, we started out as a whale watching / eco marine tour boat based company. But after years of interacting with visitors and guests, plus, paying attention to their needs and requests. We have now evolved into an "Ocean Odyssey Café" and cater to most of your needs. This includes boat adventures, SUP hire, sailing charters, a shopping spree delight, and a lovely Café that serves up delicious treats and drinks.

Outside our shop, there are seating areas to make yourself comfortable, just order, we bring.
Plus, we are open 7 days a week. To us, the customer is our most important asset, and we love to make you feel at home.

12/08/2024

Dolphins on the last whale watching trip of the day. How lovely is the sky? Sometimes, the ocean is so rewarding.

Photos by Skipper Eastern Hennies

07/08/2024

What a BIG whale, not only launching itself out of the water like a ballerina but making it look so damn easy!!
It's fantastic to see. It never seems to not impress.
A wowser for sure!
📸 Skipper Johannes Pikaan

06/08/2024

Good morning from a beautiful morning in Knysna.
The Pincushion proteas are in full bloom in front of our shop and are adding a flower flavour to our days.
How pretty 😍

01/08/2024

Today is about bringing focus to our Marine Protected Areas

Marine Protected Areas SA
Here's also a list of online activities taking place online which you might like to participate in – totally up to you!
🌊 (9-11am) MPA Guide webinar by Protect Baltic.
The MPA Guide is an essential resource that you can use to enhance marine protection efforts worldwide.
Register here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/.../316f6e61-9e40-468c...
You can also click on their interactive map to discover what activities are taking place around the globe: https://arcg.is/1e9nHa0
🌊 (12pm – 1pm) X chat organised by Flow Communications. Join the conversation by using the hashtag

🌊 (1pm – 2pm) Seminar by Professor Peter Jones organised by the Institute for Coastal and Marine Research- CMR.
Join here: https://mandela.zoom.us/j/92516044289...
Meeting ID: 925 1604 4289 Passcode: 366336
🌊 (2pm – 3pm) A virtual tour of marine protected areas from South Africa to Sweden organised by ShareScreen Africa and Flow Communications.
Register here:
https://mpaday.mediaserver.co.za/
🌊(3pm – 4.30pm) the Sea Change Project will be hosting a webinar titled 'Why communities are key for MPAs'.
Register here: https://zoom.us/web.../register/WN_JLyXuVzzSF6mwxfvYbItMg...
🌊 (7pm -8pm) ShareScreen Africa and the MPA Day team will present a webinar titled Making MPAs work. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0rfuihqj8pHdAF4Vy0QoRVfhCwV_8omlii #/registration

30/07/2024

Just a reminder!!
Talk of the Town Tuesday with Knysna Estuary Research Foundation tonight, the 30th of July!!
Keeping us informed of all things inter coastal and ocean related.
It's with great excitement that we are welcoming back Dr. Deborah Robertson-Andersson. She is a renowned expert in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture and has shifted her focus towards promoting human connection with nature. In recent years, she has been dedicated to educating communities along the Southern African coastline about the majestic humpback whale. Her mission is to raise awareness about their migration patterns, historical significance, current conservation status, and the importance of preserving their existence for future generations.

Do join us as she shares her valuable knowledge.
Venue: Knysna Yacht Club
R70 pp ( kids under 12 are free)
17h30 for 18h00
Book online to secure a seat.

https://knysnabasinproject.co.za/product/talk-of-the-town-tuesday-july/

27/07/2024

It's the weekend, baby!! 🐋 🐳 🐋
We are open, come and say hi.
There's coffee and cake, and eats and treats.

25/07/2024

When your guest just loves the lemon poppy cheesecake 😍

23/07/2024

Seeing that the weather has been freezing of late, it brought up an interesting question. 🤔
Do whales get cold?

Here is the answer to your question; whales are warm-blooded mammals that occupy a cold environment. As such, they have a fairly constant body temperature, as opposed to cold blooded animals, which rely on the temperature of their environment to determine their body temperature. The body temperature of a whale is around about 38°C. So here are the different ways whales use to maintain their body temperature.
✔ Blubber - thick layer of fatty tissue underneath the skin acts as effective insulation. This also provides energy when food sources are scarce. Whales metabolic function are very important as it ensures that their core temperatures don't drop.
✔ Vascular System - In short, this is the ingenious network of veins and arteries and ensures the blood of the whales is kept warm. This is like a heat exchange system.
✔ Body Shape
The body shape of whales is another mechanism that aids in the regulation of their core body temperature. Their surface area is kept to a minimum by not having complex limbs. This decreases the amount of total area that is exposed to the cold waters.

22/07/2024

An early baby...
Hello, little southern right, and welcome to Knysna. You can also call it home now.....🐋❤️🐋❤️🐋

🎥 by skipper Johannes Pikaan