
Shy Albatross
The shy albatross, also known as shy mollymawk, (Thalassarche cauta, formerly Diomedea cauta), is a medium-sized albatross that breeds on three remote islands off the coast of Tasmania, Australia, in the southern Indian Ocean.
Species insights
Recorded year-round
Recorded in every month, so no month is the wrong month to look. We would rather say that than invent a best time.
Curve from 58 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property and not from this province. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.
Western Cape and beyond
Provinces where Shy Albatross is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
58 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Shy Albatross
Stays that give back
Across the Eastern Cape
Shy Albatross recorded here
Shy Albatross recorded here
Shy Albatross recorded here
Shy Albatross recorded here
Shy Albatross recorded here
Shy Albatross recorded here
Birder friendly
Birder friendly
Birder friendly
Birder friendly
Forests, lagoons, and Knysna's sheltered bay
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Shy Albatross
Hosts have recorded the Shy Albatross at stays in or beside Addo Elephant National Park and Tsitsikamma National Park.
Best hours of the day
- The first hours after sunrise, and late afternoon. Birds call and feed most in the cool.
- Midday. Quieter, especially in summer heat.
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
IUCN Red List
Near Threatened
Species
Thalassarche cauta
Records
58
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Shy Albatross on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Shy Albatross in Eastern Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Shy Albatross at stays in or beside Addo Elephant National Park and Tsitsikamma National Park. A record means a host has seen it on the property or nearby, which makes these the places to base yourself; it is never a guarantee of a sighting on any given day.
Where can you see the Shy Albatross in South Africa?
The Shy Albatross is most recorded in Western Cape (90% of records), Eastern Cape (10% of records), based on 58 iNaturalist observations. 6 places to stay on Spekboom in Eastern Cape have recorded the Shy Albatross on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Shy Albatross?
The Shy Albatross is recorded throughout the year, so no month is the wrong month to look for it. For the parks where hosts record it most, these are the best seasons they give. Addo Elephant National Park: year-round, best Mar-May, Sep-Nov; Tsitsikamma National Park: Apr-Sep. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the conservation status of the Shy Albatross?
The Shy Albatross (Thalassarche cauta) is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Shy Albatross?
The shy albatross, also known as shy mollymawk, (Thalassarche cauta, formerly Diomedea cauta), is a medium-sized albatross that breeds on three remote islands off the coast of Tasmania, Australia, in the southern Indian Ocean. Its lifespan is about 60 years, and it has been seen as far afield as South Africa and the Pacific coast of the United States.

























