Marine Big 5 Daily Blog 06 July
Written by July 6 2026
Whale Watching near Cape Town, South Africa – Welcome to Gansbaai, home of the Marine Big 5.
Trip Summary 06 July 2026:
With calm conditions out at sea, we were ready to explore what is out there, waiting for us. On both trips, we got to see whales, sharks, penguins and seals. Two of the Marine Big 5 were waiting for us by the island system. Cape fur seals and the critically endangered African Penguins were observed on Geyser Rock and Dyer Island. Bronze whaler sharks were encountered around the Shark cage diving vessels, anchored within the Shallows. Several Humpback whales were spotted in deeper waters! On the first trip, a Bryde’s whale also decided to make a short appearance and offered a short glimpse after disappearing again. Two elusive endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphins also showed themselves shortly in the beginning of the day!
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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.
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.
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.
Brydes Whale Brydes Whale
The mysterious Bryde's whales visit the Dyer Island area throughout the year, with most sightings occurring during summer into winter.
