Marine Big 5 Daily Blog 06 May
Written by May 6 2025
Whale Watching near Cape Town, South Africa – Welcome to Gansbaai, home of the Marine Big 5.
Trip Summary 06 May 2025:
Today was one of those unforgettable days at sea, the kind that reminds us why we do what we do. Our journey began as usual, cruising along the scenic Kleinbaai coastline. Early on, we were treated to a beautiful sighting of a pod of humpback dolphins. Next, we made our way to our shark cage diving vessel. A stunning Bronze whaler shark made a brief appearance. From there, we continued to Dyer Island, home to our beloved African penguins and a bustling Cape fur seal colony on Geyser Rock. The sights and sounds of this vibrant ecosystem never cease to amaze. As we ventured into deeper waters, our excitement grew. A Bryde’s whale emerged, arching its sleek back above the surface. While we admired its graceful movements, a sudden commotion in the distance caught our attention. A humpback whale had breached the surface once, then again. What followed was an extraordinary display of tail slaps, flipper slaps, and a breathtaking, full-body breach that left everyone speechless. With all five iconic marine species spotted dolphins, a shark, penguins, seals, and whales—it was official: we had just experienced a complete and awe-inspiring Marine Big 5 adventure.
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What species did we see today?
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.
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.
