Marine Big 5 Daily Blog 08 May
Written by May 8 2025
Whale Watching near Cape Town, South Africa – Welcome to Gansbaai, home of the Marine Big 5.
Trip Summary 08 May 2025:
Today was a calm yet wonderful day. we welcomed our guests onto Dream Catcher and started our journey following the beautiful Kleinbaai coastline. Luck was on our side from the very start. Just two minutes into our trip, we were greeted by a delightful sight, a raft of African penguins, affectionately known as our “little friends in tuxedos,” bobbing gracefully on the water. Our next stop offered a moment of reflection as we paused near the estuary, one of the coastline’s most vital ecosystems. Here, guests had the chance to appreciate the richness and importance of this natural habitat before we continued our journey. As we cruised gently along the shore, excitement grew when we spotted the elusive Indian Ocean humpback dolphin. Although the swell prevented us from getting too close, we were fortunate to catch a brief but special glimpse of this beautiful marine mammal. Next, we made our way to our shark cage diving vessel, where the impressive Bronze whaler shark made an appearance for all on board. Of course, no Marine Big 5 tour would be complete without a visit to Dyer Island, a paradise for our seabirds and a visit to the playful Cape fur seals. we then ventured into deeper waters in search of one final highlight. After a patient search, our efforts were rewarded with a sighting of the elusive Bryde’s whale, a magnificent end to an unforgettable journey at sea.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
