Daily trip update, 28 September 2019
Written by September 29 2019
We encountered many different species in the Dyer Island ecosystem today. Our first tour of the day launched out of Gansbaai, and from there we went around Danger Point and started off our sightings with the endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphins. It was a tight group of at least 5 individuals travelling together in the waves. Further along the coastline we encountered 2 Bronze whaler sharks with our sister company’s shark cage diving boat. The whales also weren’t far away and we had a nice encounter with and adult and juvenile Southern right whale travelling together. Our first trip ended with a visit to our Cape fur seal colony on Geyser rock, and some lucky people even got to spot two African penguins in the water close to Dyer Island. On the second tour our sightings were just as nice, starting with a sunfish shortly after we launched our boat. With the shark cage diving boat we encountered Bronze whaler sharks again, and this time we also had a view of a large Great white shark that was at least 4.5 m long. Again we had some nice moments with a mother and juvenile pair of Southern right whales, of the several whales that we could see were in the bay. This last trip of the day ended nicely with the Cape fur seals and a nice look at a juvenile African penguin in the water.
Photos from today
What species did we see today?
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.
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.
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.
Great white sharks Great white sharks
Gracious, beautiful, misunderstood - three words used by guests of Dyer Island Cruises after witnessing South Africa's most infamous marine species: The Great White Shark.
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 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.