Table Mountain National Park
Western Cape · Best Sep to Apr
4 places
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Subantarctic Skua
Stercorarius antarcticus
The brown skua (Stercorarius antarcticus), also known as the Antarctic skua, subantarctic skua, southern great skua, southern skua, or hākoakoa (Māori), is a large seabird that breeds in the subantarctic and Antarctic zones and moves further north when not breeding.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records May to Aug
When Subantarctic Skua sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsMay to Aug
Recorded in Western Cape~113 records
Curve from 134 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 Subantarctic Skua is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
134 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Subantarctic Skua
Stays that give back
Across the Western Cape
Robberg Nature Reserve
Robberg Nature Reserve
From R 1,560a night
Subantarctic Skua recorded here
Smitswinkel Tented Camp
Table Mountain National Park
From R 965a night
Subantarctic Skua recorded here
Overseers Mountain Cottage
Table Mountain National Park
From R 4,009a night
Subantarctic Skua recorded here
Slangkop Tented Camp
Table Mountain National Park
From R 770a night
Subantarctic Skua recorded here
Olifantsbos Guest House
Table Mountain National Park
From R 4,859a night
Subantarctic Skua recorded here
West Coast National Park
West Coast National Park
From R 1,646a night
Subantarctic Skua recorded here
More stays nearby
Coastal Retreat
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 26,450a night
Birder friendly
Thabile Lodge
Oudtshoorn
From R 1,400a night
Bitou River Lodge
Wittedrift, Plettenberg Bay
From R 2,250a night
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West
From R 5,636a night
Birder friendly
Welgelegen House by RETURN Africa
Gardens, Cape Town
From R 2,800a night
Babylonstoren
Klapmuts, Simondium
Price on request
An African Story by RETURN Africa
Bakoven, Cape Town
From R 9,900a night
Schoone Oordt Country House
Swellendam
From R 4,355a night
La Clé Lodge & Villas
Franschhoek
Price on request
Plumbago Cottage - Stanford Country Cottages
Stanford
From R 2,850a night
Lauradale
Stellenbosch
From R 1,465a night
Coot Club
Stanford
Price on request
Birder friendly
Moonshine on Whiskey Creek
The Crags, Plettenberg Bay
From R 1,950a night
Whale Coast Ocean Villa
Voëlklip, Hermanus
From R 2,235a night
Vergenoegd Löw Boutique Hotel & Spa
Somerset West
Price on request
Franschhoek Country House & Villas
Franschhoek
From R 6,195a night
Assendelft Lodge
Prince Albert
From R 1,200a night
Tintswalo at Boulders
Simon's Town, Cape Town
Price on request
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 Subantarctic Skua
Hosts have recorded the Subantarctic Skua at stays in or beside Table Mountain National Park, Robberg Nature Reserve and West Coast 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
Species
Stercorarius antarcticus
Records
134
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Subantarctic Skua on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Subantarctic Skua in Western Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Subantarctic Skua at stays in or beside Table Mountain National Park, Robberg Nature Reserve and West Coast 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 Subantarctic Skua in South Africa?
The Subantarctic Skua is most recorded in Western Cape (84% of records), Eastern Cape (11% of records), based on 134 iNaturalist observations. 6 places to stay on Spekboom in Western Cape have recorded the Subantarctic Skua on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Subantarctic Skua?
Sightings of the Subantarctic Skua peak from May to Aug, based on 134 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the Subantarctic Skua?
The brown skua (Stercorarius antarcticus), also known as the Antarctic skua, subantarctic skua, southern great skua, southern skua, or hākoakoa (Māori), is a large seabird that breeds in the subantarctic and Antarctic zones and moves further north when not breeding. Its taxonomy is highly complex and a matter of dispute, with some splitting it into two or three species: Falkland skua (S.