Marine Big 5 Daily Blog 02 December
Written by December 2 2025
Whale Watching near Cape Town, South Africa – Welcome to Gansbaai, home of the Marine Big 5.
Trip Summary 02 December 2025:
We started the day with beautiful weather, calm sea and plenty of marine animal sightings. Throughout the tour, we were able to find all of the Marine Big 5. Along the coast and close to the harbour, we were able to spot the endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphins. A bit further along, we saw some Bronze Whaler sharks gliding just under the surface around the shark cage diving boats. In Pearly Beach, we couldn’t believe our luck when we spotted some Southern right whales. The last ones can be leaving our coastal waters any day now, so we were fortunate to get some looks at these gentle giants. A visit to the Cape fur seal and Dyer Island was entertaining as always, but we could also spot a couple of penguins at sea.
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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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Sunfish
