3 Cow-calf pairs! Marine Big 5 Daily Blog
Written by September 19 2021
Shortly after we left Kleinbaai harbour we stopped for a sunfish basking just below the surface. Further along the way we encountered some penguins and spotted 3 cow-calf pairs of southern right whales along De Clyde, a reef system stretching from mainland towards Dyer Island. At Geyser Rock we observed the Cape fur seals and already spotted some really big bulls that slowly move to their colony as breeding season is about to start. It has been quite tricky to spot the African penguin lately on the island as we have thousands of Cape Cormorants that are settling to breed and the penguins are just well camouflaged between the black cormorants and the white rocks. Before the wind picked up we made a quick stop at the shark cage diving boats and were heading afterwards straight towards Kleinbaai.
What species did we see today?
Southern Right Whale Southern Right Whale
Southern right whales attract thousands of visitors every year to experience these gentle giants off the South African coast.
Cape fur seal Cape fur seal
With a local population of 60,000, it's no wonder our guests capture so many photographs of these wonderfully playful marine mammals.
African Penguin African Penguin
As one of only 17 penguin species left in the world (and the only one on the african continent), the african penguin often breed in offshore colonies, such as Dyer Island.
Bronze Whaler Shark Bronze Whaler Shark
The Bronze whaler (also known as Copper sharks) here in Kleinbaai are very curious and interactive. These sharks eat mostly fish, with sardines being one of their favourites.
