Goukamma Nature Reserve
Western Cape · Year-round
9 places
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Kelp Gull
Larus dominicanus
The kelp gull (Larus dominicanus), also known as the Dominican gull, is a gull which breeds on coasts and islands through much of the Southern Hemisphere.
Species insights
When to visit
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.
Best monthsAny month
Recorded in Western Cape~5,687 records
Curve from 6,613 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.
Where you'll find it
Western Cape and beyond
Provinces where Kelp Gull is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
6,613 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Kelp Gull
Stays that give back
Across the Western Cape
Oceans Away
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · From R 34,972 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Swallows Rest
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · From R 29,981 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West · From R 5,636 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Pumula Lodge 4 Star Guesthouse Knysna
Hunter's Home, Knysna · From R 2,310 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Coastal Retreat
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · From R 14,985 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Lagoon Ocean Lodge
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · From R 24,990 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Vine & Vale
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · From R 34,972 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Lark House
Glencairn, Cape Town · Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Lavender Dreams
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · From R 24,990 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Azure Retreat
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · From R 17,492 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Milk & Honey
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · From R 17,492 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Tidesong
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · From R 34,972 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Oceanique
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · From R 24,990 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Sea Whisper
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · From R 17,492 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Utopia
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · From R 31,223 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Bliss on the Bay (Pringle Bay)
Pringle Bay · From R 4,640 a night
Kelp Gull recorded here
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve · From R 2,170 a night
Kelp Gull recorded here
Robberg Nature Reserve
Robberg Nature Reserve · From R 1,560 a night
Kelp Gull recorded here
Mbali Collection
Kogelberg Nature Reserve · From R 1,590 a night
Kelp Gull recorded here
Oudebosch Eco Cabins
Kogelberg Nature Reserve · From R 1,730 a night
Kelp Gull recorded here
Fish Eagle Loft
Goukamma Nature Reserve · From R 1,340 a night
Kelp Gull recorded here
Otter's Rest
Goukamma Nature Reserve · From R 1,370 a night
Kelp Gull recorded here
Kabeljou Cottage
Goukamma Nature Reserve · From R 1,560 a night
Kelp Gull recorded here
The Whale Coast
Next stop
Southern right whales, sea cliffs, and Hermanus's harbour town
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Kelp Gull
Hosts have recorded the Kelp Gull at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Kogelberg Nature Reserve and Table Mountain 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.
Where to base yourself
Western Cape
Goukamma · Kogelberg · Table Mountain
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western Cape
Eastern Cape
Tsitsikamma
Eastern CapeSelf-driveStays in Eastern Cape
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
Species
Larus dominicanus
Records
6,613
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Kelp Gull on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Kelp Gull in Western Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Kelp Gull at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Kogelberg Nature Reserve, Table Mountain National Park, Garden Route National Park, Keurbooms River Nature Reserve and Robberg Nature Reserve and other reserves. 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 Kelp Gull in South Africa?
The Kelp Gull is most recorded in Western Cape (86% of records), Eastern Cape (10% of records), based on 6,613 iNaturalist observations. 35 places to stay on Spekboom in Western Cape have recorded the Kelp Gull on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Kelp Gull?
The Kelp Gull 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. Goukamma Nature Reserve: year-round, warm Oct-Apr; Kogelberg Nature Reserve: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct; Table Mountain National Park: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct; Garden Route National Park: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Kelp Gull?
The kelp gull (Larus dominicanus), also known as the Dominican gull, is a gull which breeds on coasts and islands through much of the Southern Hemisphere. The nominate L. d.