Marine Big 5 Daily Blog 13 July
Written by July 13 2026
Whale Watching near Cape Town, South Africa – Welcome to Gansbaai, home of the Marine Big 5.
Trip Summary 13 July 2026:
Today was filled with incredible marine wildlife sightings. Bronze whaler sharks were seen cruising through the shallows near the local shark-cage diving vessels. At Geyser Rock and in Shark Alley, the Cape fur seals kept us entertained with their playful behaviour. On Dyer Island, the critically endangered African penguins could be spotted exploring the island or resting near their nests. Throughout the day, we were also fortunate to encounter whales, with Bryde’s whales and Southern Right whales calmly cruising the bay, giving us the opportunity to observe their beauty.
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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.
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.
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.
