Close encounter! Marine Big 5 daily blog
Written by October 6 2020
We had another wonderful day on board Whale Whisperer with lots of sunshine and marine life. After launching from Kleinbaai we were cruising along the coast past Uilenkraalmond where we made quick stop look at the hundreds of Cape cormorants passing by. Arrived in Pearly Beach we first saw two African penguins and then were heading closer to shore were Kira, our spotter, spotted some whale activity. But little did we know while approaching the whales that we will encounter a very inquisitive and playful calf. The calf was waving with its flipper and came close to our boat to have a better look at us before following its mom into the middle of the bay. We also had a glimpse of a whale breaching twice further out in the bay. What a great encounter we had with these gentle giants. But before heading back home to Kleinbaai we passed the Cape Fur seal colony on Geyser Rock and stopped by Dyer Island to see more African penguins and other bird species inhabiting the island.
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 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.
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.
