Marine Big 5 Daily Blog 19 September
Written by September 19 2026
Whale Watching near Cape Town, South Africa – Welcome to Gansbaai, home of the Marine Big 5.
Trip Summary 19 September 2026:
A day full of incredible sightings has come to an end! On all trips, we encountered whales, dolphins, penguins and seals! Common dolphins were bow-riding and breaching alongside the vessel, whereas Southern Right whale pairs were calmly swimming at the surface allowing nice and close-up looks. Some were able to see the critically endangered African Penguins in the open. The Cape fur seal colony was extremely busy today, leaving almost no free spot on Geyser Rock.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
