Marine Big 5 Daily Blog 02 July
Written by July 2 2025
Whale Watching near Cape Town, South Africa – Welcome to Gansbaai, home of the Marine Big 5.
Trip Summary 02 July 2025:
What a day to fill with all of the Marine Big 5! Leaving Kleinbaai Harbour behind us, we headed down the coastline towards the natural estuary of the area. Nearby, we spotted some of the endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphins. Due to them being very close to shore, we only got a brief look at them. Within the Shallows, a popular area for Shark cage diving, we stopped by the Marine Dynamics vessel Slashfin for some looks at the Bronze whaler sharks. Continuing our trip through the local kelp forest, we made our way towards Pearly Beach. In total, we encountered 3 different sunfish, which is an incredible treat for both guests and crew. In deeper waters, we also encountered Humpback whales showing off their flukes and playfully slapping their flippers onto the surface. Last stop of the itinerary, the island system. Entering Shark Alley, the first Cape fur seals started following our boat up and down the alley while others watched us with sleepy faces off Geyser Rock. A short stop around Dyer Island, with its colony of the critically endangered African Penguins, rounded up the trip.
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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.
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.
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.
Sunfish 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.
