Golfing The Sun On The Beach – Photo Of The Day
A whacky photo of golfing the sun in Mauritius
Strict Livestock Confinement Required – Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak in Kouga
Confirmed Outbreak and Immediate Risk
Kouga Local Municipality has confirmed an outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) within the municipal area and urges all farmers, including emerging farmers, to apply immediate and stringent control measures.
More than 100 cattle in the Kruisfontein area have tested positive. Vaccine supplies are expected to arrive in the country by mid-February. Until then, strict movement control and reduced contact with cattle remain essential to limit further spread.
While FMD poses no risk to human health, people can easily transmit the disease between animals. Livestock fatalities have now been recorded, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
Mandatory Livestock Confinement
All livestock owners are instructed to implement the following measures with immediate effect:
• Livestock are to remain confined within the owner’s premises at all times
• Controlled grazing with herders is suspended until further notice
• Livestock transport requires official permission and valid documentation
• Enforcement measures will apply to unauthorised animal movement
These measures apply across the affected and surrounding areas.
Biosecurity Measures in Place
To reduce transmission risk, compulsory biosecurity protocols include:
• Isolation of infected animals
• Ongoing surveillance to assess spread beyond the identified zone
• Sanitisation of vehicles operating in affected areas
• Hygiene protocols for residents and farm workers
Sanitation points will be established at designated locations.
A dedicated task team comprising the municipality and relevant stakeholders meets daily to coordinate response actions and manage the outbreak. Full cooperation from farmers and residents remains essential to protect livestock across the region.
Roaming livestock should be reported immediately to the Kouga Call Centre on 042 200 2200 or via WhatsApp on 081 760 9183.
Further updates will follow as information becomes available.
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More reading: Kouga Municipality Launches Weekly Fire Safety Spotlight – another proactive step to support community safety
Read more: A Real Water Squeeze Is Coming for St Francis Bay and Greater Kouga – No water pistols please
Boat Fire and Sinking Off St Francis Bay on Monday – Oil Leakage Possibility
A fishing vessel fire off St Francis Bay on Monday led to the sinking of the FV Western Star and a navigation warning for vessels operating in the area.
The 40-foot fishing boat was anchored off Paradise Beach when a fire broke out onboard. Emergency protocols were activated quickly and all 11 crew members were safely evacuated from the vessel. Medical checks followed as a precaution.
The vessel, owned by Knysna Fishing Company, later sank at its anchor position. Because the wreck now sits below the surface, the South African Maritime Safety Authority issued a navigation warning advising vessels to keep clear of the area.
At the time of the incident, the boat was carrying fuel and operational supplies including diesel, oil, lubricants, and frozen squid packed in blue plastic bags. These details guide both marine safety decisions and environmental response planning.
SAMSA confirmed that relevant stakeholders were notified soon after the incident. Coordination followed between authorities, the vessel owners, and response teams. A formal incident management structure was put in place, and a salvage company is being activated to support response operations. Planning is underway for pollution response and possible wreck removal.
For now, the sunken vessel remains a hazard to maritime traffic, and boaters are urged to follow official navigation guidance.
Diesel, Oil and Birdlife Under Watch
Attention has since shifted to the surrounding ocean and coastline, particularly the potential impact on seabirds and marine wildlife.
The vessel was carrying a large volume of diesel and a smaller quantity of oil. Sea conditions have been windy and rough, increasing the chance of debris or fuel moving toward the shoreline.
Environmental modelling has been requested as a precaution. Early assessments suggest that diesel in open water tends to disperse and evaporate relatively quickly. Even so, seabirds remain vulnerable, especially when feeding at the surface. Contact with fuel can affect feathers, buoyancy, and insulation, which is why monitoring continues.
Authorities have asked the public and first responders to remain vigilant over the next few days. Community awareness plays an important role during incidents like this.
Anyone who spots seabirds or other wildlife that appear contaminated, distressed, or in difficulty on local beaches is urged to report it immediately.
Report sightings to:
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National Sea Rescue Institute on 112 from any cellphone
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SANCCOB on 041 582 1890
Fast reporting allows trained teams to respond quickly and begin rescue and rehabilitation where needed.
Monitoring of the wreck site and nearby coastline continues, with updates to follow as assessments progress.
Read more: Steady Ground, Shared Purpose on the Two Harbours Trail – From the Kromme Enviro-Trust, St Francis
Further reading: Calibre Security Safety Notice | St Francis Bay and Surrounding Areas
10 Surf Destinations Even Google Maps Is Unsure About in 2026 – Don’t Go To North Sentinel Coz You Might Die etc
Some surf destinations are easy to explain. Others sit at the intersection of geography, weather, politics, access, and imagination. These are places where surfing still feels unresolved, where the map shows outlines but not answers.
1. Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia
Surfing beneath active volcanoes, with snow on the beach and North Pacific energy detonating offshore. Kamchatka feels closer to a nature documentary than a surf trip. Sessions depend entirely on weather windows, logistics, and tolerance for discomfort, which is exactly why it belongs at the top of this list.
2. Mentawai Islands, Indonesia
Still the benchmark for remote tropical surf travel. Endless reef passes, thick jungle, and long-period swell arriving with clockwork consistency. Despite decades of exploration, much of the Mentawais still relies on local knowledge rather than named spots.
Mentawai locals
3. Grajagan, Indonesia (G-Land)
A wave that exists because of effort. Rivers, forests, and national park boundaries stand between you and the lineup. The reward is one of the longest, most demanding left-handers in the world, ridden in a setting that feels deliberately removed from comfort.
4. Nias, Indonesia
Heavy reef breaks paired with a culture that gives the island real depth. Surfing here feels secondary to place, which adds weight to every session. Nias moves slowly, on land and in the water.
Lagundri Bay, Nias
5. Andaman Islands, India
Long stretches of coastline, reef setups, and sporadic swell exposure. Surfing in the Andamans remains low-key and lightly explored, shaped by permits, distance, and limited infrastructure. When conditions align, it feels quietly exceptional.
6. Chagos Archipelago, British Indian Ocean Territory
A near-mythical surf setting. Perfect reef geometry, deep-water swell, and almost no human presence. Surf potential here exists mostly in theory, charts, and rare expedition accounts, which keep it firmly on the edge of the known surf world.
7. Western Sumatra Coast, Indonesia
Between Mentawai ports and headline zones lie hundreds of kilometres of coastline. River mouths, reefs, and points light up briefly and unpredictably. Discovery here still happens through watching the ocean rather than searching online.
8. Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Vast, complex, and rarely surfed compared to its size. Outer reefs interact with deep-water swell in unpredictable ways, producing rare but powerful waves. Access depends on boats, timing, and serious ocean awareness.
9. North Sentinel Island, India
A place that exists as a boundary, not a destination. Visible on swell charts but entirely off-limits, North Sentinel serves as a reminder that surf exploration also involves restraint. Not every breaking wave is an invitation. Read more here: The life and death of John Chau on North Sentinel, the man who tried to convert his killers
10. Outer Andaman Sea Reefs, Indian Ocean Region
Far from beaches and roads, these reefs rely on exact swell angles and precise timing. They appear clean and briefly before disappearing again. Surfing here feels momentary, shaped by chance more than planning.
Want to go on a surf trip somewhere?
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Mauritius Kiteboarding: Full Power. Let’s Go – with The Travel Collective
When the southern hemisphere slips into winter, Mauritius doesn’t really follow suit. Trade winds arrive with intent, the water holds its warmth, and long sessions replace rubber-heavy routines back home. July through October is prime time, with consistent airflow, clean weather windows, and conditions built for riders who value repetition, control, and progression.
Le Morne Is Where It All Connects
Le Morne sits at the centre of the action. A broad lagoon stretches out behind the reef, offering speed, space, and room to push. Flat sections reward technical riding and big airs, while textured water closer to the reef sharpens timing and edge control. The wind angles cleanly side-onshore, launches stay orderly, and the setting stays focused on performance rather than spectacle.
One Eye Raises the Stakes
Outside the lagoon, One Eyes changes the conversation. This is a serious reef setup where swell, wind, and consequence meet. Fast walls, shallow water, and zero tolerance for hesitation define the zone. Riders arrive prepared, tuned in, and respectful. When everything aligns, the result is raw, powerful, and unforgettable.
Wind You Can Build Around
Mauritius delivers trade winds that arrive daily and hold their line. Expect mid-teen to mid-twenty knot sessions, clear water for reef awareness, and conditions that allow long, purposeful runs. Support infrastructure remains strong, with experienced schools, rescue coverage, and gear options that match the riding level.
Why Experienced Riders Return
Warm water extends sessions. Consistency sharpens skills. The mix of lagoon control and reef intensity creates balance. Mauritius rewards commitment and gives plenty back in return.
For surfers, Mauritius also delivers in their own language. Bring a standard small-wave board, figure out the tides, look out for the occasional winds from the north, and expect barrels over shallow reef.
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Read more: The Maldives Gets the Memo on Why We Travel
More reading: Kouga Municipality Launches Weekly Fire Safety Spotlight – another proactive step to support community safety
Read more: A Real Water Squeeze Is Coming for St Francis Bay and Greater Kouga – No water pistols please
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