7 January 2025 – Today was an extraordinary day at sea. For the first time ever, a large pod of orcas (Orcinus orca) has been documented hunting and feeding on fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus) in South African waters. On a trip organised by Expert-Tours, this unique observation marked the first recorded interaction of its kind in the entire region. 

There was not even a star in the heavens tonight. The vault of the sky was obscured by clouds that, pushed by the northern winds, reached this flap of South Africa on the border with Swaziland.

Nature here was wild. Metre after metre, civilisation marked by the surrounding villages seemed to slowly disappear, swallowed by the primordial forest. It was a green wave merging everything together and defining the landscape as an infinite expanse of trees from which primeval peaks emerged.

The beauty of Cape Town stretches beyond the shoreline and beneath the waves, providing divers and underwater photographers a lively and fascinating playground with a beautiful backdrop to match. There are three main dive areas in Cape Town. Although this is a year-round diving destination, the sea conditions are greatly affected by the wind and weather patterns. Where you dive will depend on the time of year you visit.

X-Ray Mag contributors share their favorite local haunts—from a spring-fed Texan lake to a quarry and a sinkhole in Russia to the temperate waters off New Zealand, Japan, South Africa, New Jersey and Northern California to the subtropical waters of Southern California and Sydney, Australia—where they captured compelling underwater images.

Gordon’s Bay, South Africa

Text and photos by Kate Jonker

In some years, however, the Sardine Run is not observed. During these years, it was thought that the Sardine Run did not take place due to climatic conditions. But just because one cannot see it on the surface does not mean that the sardines are not migrating. It is quite possible that this migration then takes place at greater depths and/or farther away from the coast.

The gossip press said: “Diver Swallowed by Whale” — Here's what really happened…

The story of how a diver was swallowed by a whale at Sardine Run showed up in all the media—worldwide. However, I was there, and I can tell you, no, the diver was not swallowed! And, no, we could not see the whale coming. And, yes, all precautions had been taken—and, no, it was not intended! Many views were shared. Some admiring, others shaking their heads.

Up until recently, permits to observe the humpback migration had not been provided by the researchers of the University of Cape Town. In early 2017, however, they were willing to give permits to a few filmmakers and photographers, so that the humpback whale migration could be reported worldwide.