There are birthdays… and then there are birthdays… birthdays on the ocean in the company of some of the most iconic apex predators on the planet. This year, I was treated to the latter and what a treat it was! I don’t think Ive been this excited since I was 5-6 years old at Christmas day.

We headed out into False Bay on a picture-perfect winter’s day that felt more like spring. Blue skies, sunshine, and glassy seas, the kind of day that already makes you feel lucky, even if nothing shows up it would have been an amazing trip out. I’d been kindly invited by Dave from the Simon’s Town Boat Company to join a private whale-watching trip with just a few close friends and staff. Five of us on board, good vibes, and all eyes scanning the horizon.

We had heard that port and starboard had been sighted form shore earlier that day and we wanted to confirm the sighting and take some photos.

We soon caught up with them just off Roman Rock Lighthouse, the unmistakable floppy dorsal fins of Port and Starboard, the infamous shark-hunting killer whale brothers who’ve made global headlines for their reign of terror on False Bay’s great whites. It’s always special seeing these two, but this time was my best sighting yet, viewing from the top deck of the whale boat on such a calm day.

Port cruised right past the boat, while Starboard kept his distance, at least a kilometre off. We spent time soaking it in, snapping some photos, and quietly enjoying the moment. It was one of those peaceful, surreal wildlife encounters that stick with you.

Then the radio crackled to life…One of the cage-diving boats on the other side of the bay had just spotted two more orcas, and these weren’t cruising. They were hunting dolphins.

In a flash, we said our goodbyes to the brothers and powered across the bay, past Seal Island, hearts racing and cameras ready. When we arrived, we found a massive 8-meter bull orca and a smaller female relentlessly chasing a young common dolphin. The dolphin was sprinting for its life, zigzagging across the sea while the orcas trailed almost effortlessly behind.

The chase was intense. At one point, it felt like the orcas could have ended it at any time, they were faster, stronger, and completely in control. But they didn’t. Whether it was for play, training, or just curiosity, we’ll never know. For over an hour, we followed this pursuit, breath held, before the action disappeared toward the horizon and we turned back toward the harbour.

Watching that hunt was one of the most exhilarating things I’ve ever witnessed at sea. The raw power, intelligence, and coordination of these animals is humbling. It’s one thing to read about orcas, it’s something else entirely to see them in action so close.

All in all, it was a top banana birthday on the water. False Bay once again proving that you never quite know what you’re going to encounter in this wild, vibrant corner of the ocean we call home.