Marine Big 5 Daily Blog 16 February
Written by February 16 2026
Whale Watching near Cape Town, South Africa – Welcome to Gansbaai, home of the Marine Big 5.
Trip Summary 16 February 2026:
We enjoyed a beautiful sunny day, with a slightly stronger breeze than forecast, bringing a crisp chill out at sea. Fortunately, the wind did little to diminish the spectacular wildlife sightings we experienced throughout the day. In the bay, we observed Bronze Whaler sharks circling the cage-diving boats. Further offshore, we encountered lively groups of common dolphins, while closer to shore, we were privileged to see the endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphin. Around Dyer Island and out at sea, we spotted several penguins, and Geyser Rock—home to the Cape fur seals—was teeming with activity. To top it all off, in the deeper waters, we were fortunate to encounter a Bryde’s whale, making it a truly memorable day on the water.
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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.
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.
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.
Common Dolphin Common Dolphin
With an 'hourgalss' patch on either side and aerial activity the common dolphin is an agile and majestic species, that may easily reach a speed of 40km/h.
