In developing our logo, we wanted to highlight some of the wildlife that led us to create our business. On multiple private trips along the North Coast Hope Spot of Kangaroo Island, we regularly encountered, amongst many others, White-Bellied Sea Eagles, Australian Sea-lions, and Western Blue Groper.
These three gorgeous creatures represent to us the life in the air, on the land, and in the sea along this rugged coastline. Our three stars are also on the endangered species lists, so seeing them all regularly on tour gives us hope that the environment here allows them to keep their heads above water! We hope that our continued research with our partners and passing on our love and respect for these creatures and their environment to our clients will help their numbers grow, and future generations too will enjoy and witness it in real life and not just pictorial memories.
First up (as up is where they spend much of their lives) is the strikingly beautiful White-Bellied Sea Eagle. Australia’s second-largest bird of prey (which we often see on tour in aerial fights with our largest bird of prey, the Wedge-Tailed Eagle). Females are the largest with a wingspan of 2.2m and a weight of up to 4.7kgs. They are known to live up to 30 years. In general, pairs mate for life. Their large nests up to 2m high are built from sticks on cliff faces of large trees and are used by many generations of eagles, usually laying 2 eggs. The White-Bellied Sea Eagle serves as a key indicator species by which to measure the health and stability of coastal biodiversity in South Australia. The total breeding population in South Australia is predicted to be just 70-80 pairs, with around 25% of them on Kangaroo Island. The South Australian population is classified as ‘Endangered.’
Next is the Australian Sea-lion, which is the only pinniped (seals, sea lions, and walruses) endemic to Australia. With a population of around 12,000, it is also the rarest of the world’s pinnipeds. The waters of South Australia are home to around 85% of the population, with Western Australia being home to the remaining population. In 2021, the species was recategorised from vulnerable to now ‘Endangered.’ Males reach an impressive size of over 300 kg, while females reach around 110 kg. They live to around 16 years and have an impressive speed in the water of up to 29kl/h. The females have a gestation period of around 17.6 months and have a single pup. Females may not pup again for another 2 or 3 years. They are great divers, down to 200 m for up to 40 minutes to search for prey with squid, fish, octopus, cuttlefish, and at times penguins making up their main diet. On tour, we at times see individuals out at sea hunting; however, most of our sightings are on or close to the rocky shoreline singularly or in small colonies of around 5-10 individuals.
The Western Blue Groper is the largest of the bony fishes found on the rocky reefs of South Australia. In fact, it is not a groper, but a large wrasse. They can live up to 70 years and grow to 1.7m. Females do not reach maturity until around 15 years, with males taking even longer. They are hermaphrodites and may change sex from female to male during their life cycle; if the dominant male dies, then the largest female can change sex and colour in a matter of days. Juveniles are greenish with scattered pale spots. Adult females are mostly greyish-green to reddish in colour, while the males are greyish to bright blue. Gropers feed on invertebrates such as crabs, sea urchins, and molluscs, including abalone. They use their strong peg-like teeth to pry urchins and molluscs off rocks and will also bite off pieces of algal mat, consuming small crustaceans and other invertebrates that live amongst the algae. Western Blue Gropers are listed as vulnerable and are totally protected on Kangaroo Island’s North Coast. On calm days when we can maneuver Radikal into the shallow reef areas, we may see the standout blue male groper just under the surface. With luck, if snorkelling, an inquisitive groper may give you some up close and personal time.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters where we work and live. We pay our deep respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.
Cancellation policy: On enquiry, we will lock you in 'on trust'. Please advise if your travel plans change. Three days prior to departure we will require 100% payment once the tour is confirmed.
