Marine Big 5 Daily Blog 02 August
Written by August 2 2026
Whale Watching near Cape Town, South Africa – Welcome to Gansbaai, home of the Marine Big 5.
Trip Summary 02 August 2026:
Today’s Marine Big 5 trips offered fantastic wildlife encounters and beautiful conditions at sea. Due to the low tide in the harbour, some trips launched from Gansbaai harbour, allowing guests to enjoy a smooth journey while exploring the incredible marine life of the area. Southern right whales were a highlight throughout the day, as well as Humpback whales for some. Bronze whaler sharks cruised the shallow waters near the shark diving vessels alongside graceful short-tailed stingrays. A stop was made near Dyer Island, the home to the popular African penguins, with a small pod also spotted at sea, and Geyser Rock was bustling with thousands of Cape fur seals. It was another memorable day filled with incredible sightings and unforgettable experiences on the water.
TripAdvisor – https://bit.ly/2YZ0jDR
Google – https://g.page/r/Caej8uYZYnR8EBE/review
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/WhaleWatchSA
What species did we see today?
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.
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.
Humpback Whale Humpback Whale
One of the best-known whale species, they are renowned for their acrobatic behaviour and complex melodious song as well as extremely long flippers and are a special favourite of Dyer Island Cruises guests and crew alike.
