Marine Big 5 Daily Blog 20 July
Written by July 20 2026
Whale Watching near Cape Town, South Africa – Welcome to Gansbaai, home of the Marine Big 5.
Trip Summary 20 July 2026:
After we were unable to head to sea yesterday, we had a full day ahead of us. Welcoming all our guests aboard, we wasted no time looking out for marine wildlife. Throughout the day, we got to see a variety of different species. From sharks, whales and dolphins to penguins and seals. Our regulars, the Bronze whaler sharks, were seen while making a stop within the Shallows, a well-known area for Shark cage diving. The critically endangered African Penguins were found by scanning Dyer Island, not just home to penguins but also a variety of different seabirds. The ever-so-lively Cape fur seal colony on Geyser Rock, as always a must, did not disappoint in entertaining once again. On all our trips, we were lucky enough to have spotted either the elusive Bryde’s whale, Humpback whales or Southern Right whales! Some were even lucky to have encountered the endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphin in shallow waters.
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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.
Humpback Whale Humpback Whale
One of the best-known whale species, they are renowned for their acrobatic behaviour and complex melodious song as well as extremely long flippers and are a special favourite of Dyer Island Cruises guests and crew alike.
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.
