Marine Big 5 Daily Blog 05 February
Written by February 5 2024
Whale Watching near Cape Town, South Africa Welcome to Gansbaai, home of the Marine Big 5.
Trip Summary 05 February 2024:
We had some great weather conditions with hardly a breeze and no swell. After a stop to see two penguins, we continued the journey along the coast to the shark cage diving boats and saw a few Bronze Whaler sharks passing in front of the cage and our vessel. Next, we crossed a reef system and came across thousands of Cape Cormorants flying close to the surface out to sea. We followed them for a while before heading further into the deep waters of the bay where we found more seabirds including species like Sooty, Shearwater, Cory’s Shearwater, and a White-chinned Petrel. Out in the deep we were also lucky to see feeding Cape fur seals amongst more Cape Cormorants and even managed to spot a Bryde’s whale. On our way back we passed the Cape fur seal colony and Dyer Island.
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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.
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.
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.
Giant Petrel Giant Petrel
Around the Greater Dyer Island area we encounter both species of Giant Petrel, the Southern Giant Petrel and Northern Giant Petrel.
