Marine Big 5 Daily Blog 14 December
Written by December 14 2025
Whale Watching near Cape Town, South Africa – Welcome to Gansbaai, home of the Marine Big 5.
Trip Summary 14 December 2025:
What a truly glorious, sunny day out at sea it was today. From the moment we set off, the ocean was full of surprises. Right along the coastline, we were welcomed by humpback dolphins, cruising effortlessly through the water and giving us an unforgettable start to the trip. As we made our way to an area known as the Shallows, we slowed down and were treated to an incredible sighting of bronze whaler sharks. With the visibility being so good, we were able to get a really clear look at these powerful and graceful animals as they moved through the water. Not long after, a small raft of penguins was spotted, proudly showing off their little tuxedos and adding a touch of charm to the day. Heading into deeper waters, we were lucky enough to spot a Bryde’s whale, with giant petrels gliding in the distance, completing the scene beautifully. To round off an already unforgettable trip, we made our final stop near Shark Alley and Dyer Island, soaking in the views and the magic of this special marine hotspot.
TripAdvisor – https://bit.ly/2YZ0jDR
Google – https://g.page/r/Caej8uYZYnR8EBE/review
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/WhaleWatchSA
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.
