Breaching Humpback Dolphin and 4 of the Marine Big 5, January 8th 2020
Written by Dickie Chivell, January 8 2020
The morning started off foggy but it soon cleared up through the hot morning sun. Just in time, to see some Humpback dolphins breaching at the back of some breaking waves. There was a bit of swell still coming through, so we couldn’t get too close, but still enjoyed some amazing sightings of this considered shy dolphin species having fun and doing some aerial antics! There were some large copper sharks around today, treating us with some excellent close encounters.
A lot more Giant Petrel are coming in from the Prince Edwards Island, which is about 1200 km away. It’s so amazing to think that every year they fly this distance to our Island, because it is pupping season of our Cape Fur seals. Nature will never stop to amaze us!
Thanks everyone for joining us on this exhilarating marine adventure with four of the Marine Big 5.
……a truly special sighting: a breaching Humpback dolphin
The Humpback dolphins were very playful today
Hi there!
African Penguins and Cape Cormorants resting on Dyer Island
Can you spot the two penguins who popped by on Geyser rock?
Southern Giant Petrel
Did you know that Giant Petrels hava a wing span of up to 2.1 metres?
We also came across Dyer Island Trust’s dedicated research vessel. LWAZI is Xosa and means knowledge.
Our Coppers sharks shimmering in the water
What species did we see today?
Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin
Humpback dolphins are an endangered species, with small populations living very close to shore, typically in water less than 25m deep and an average home range of 120km. Their proximity to land makes these animals particularly vulnerable to human influence.
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.
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.
Cape Cormorant Cape Cormorant
One of the most famous species of Cormorant in the Western Cape, the Cape Cormorant is well known for it's beautiful turquoise eye and impressive size.
