Marine Big 5 Daily Blog 14 February
Written by February 14 2023
Whale Watching near Cape Town, South Africa Welcome to Gansbaai, home of the Marine Big 5.
Trip Summary 14 February 2023:
We launched into the thick fog but the bay cleared up soon after. After a stop for some Cape Cormorant and Uilenkraalsmond, we spotted two of the endangered Indian ocean humpback dolphins. Further along the coast, we spotted a Bronzer whaler shark at the shark cage diving boats. After a cruise through quiet waters in the deep we stopped at Dyer Island and had a great look at some African Penguins. We also had a closer look at the Cape fur seal colony while cruising through the famous Shark Alley. Before returning to Kleinbaai we scanned again deeper waters closer to Danger Point, but again they were very quiet.
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What species did we see today?
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 Cormorant Cape Cormorant
One of the most famous species of Cormorant in the Western Cape, the Cape Cormorant is well known for it's beautiful turquoise eye and impressive size.
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.
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.
