Marine Big 5 Daily Blog 12 November
Written by November 12 2026
Whale Watching near Cape Town, South Africa – Welcome to Gansbaai, home of the Marine Big 5.
Trip Summary 12 November 2026:
Our seasonal visitors are still making their presence known along the coastline, with a few pairs of southern right whales continuing to spend time in the waters of Pearly Beach. It was a lovely day at sea, as we were fortunate enough to encounter all five members of the Marine Big Five. Humpback dolphins added to the experience, while bronze whaler sharks made an appearance in the shallows. Cape fur seals remained lively around the islands, and African penguins were also spotted going about their day. It is quite lovely to see that the season still has plenty to offer beneath the waves.
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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.
Southern Right Whale Southern Right Whale
Southern right whales attract thousands of visitors every year to experience these gentle giants off the South African coast.
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.
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.
