Daily Trip Update, 6 December 2019
Written by December 6 2019
After the mist cleared up, we launched our vessel Dream Catcher from Kleinbaai harbour. As usual we took a slow cruise passed the lagoon at Uilenkraalsmond and further along the coast to search for humpback dolphins. We have been lucky to encounter two of the dolphins traveling together alongside the boat. One of the dolphins is a well-known visitor to the bay we have encountered it in 2011 for the first time and from 2014 onwards regularly. Further along we made a stop at our sister company’s vessel Slashfin where we saw numerous bronze whaler sharks. Arrived at Dyer Island we spotted African penguins, Swift terns, various cormorant species and many more. After watching plenty of fur seals on Geyser Rock we were heading into deeper water before making the way back to Kleinbaai harbour. Seeing four out the Marine Big 5 was truly a moment we cherish!
A beautiful look at the Humpback Dolphin dorsal fin
A great look at these beautiful creatures
Shark infested waters
The clear waters provided great views of the Bronze Whalers today
Nap time!
We had a seal playing with some kelp this morning
The males on the island can get quite territorial
Snoot!
Just taking a dip
Having fun in the water
A few new additions to Geyser Rock
This looks like a comfy boy
We came across a raft of penguins on the water
A few of them aggregated on the boulders
Can you spot the Penguins?Sometimes we have to look hard to find them
Today they were out and about!
A cluster of them here on the beach
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.
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.
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.
