Marine Big 5 Daily Blog 21 July
Written by July 21 2023
Whale Watching near Cape Town, South Africa Welcome to Gansbaai, home of the Marine Big 5.
Trip Summary 21 July 2023:
What a whale of a day! We had a busy day and boy was it packed with sightings from our first trip till our last. The first trip launched with the sunrise and enjoyed the view of a pair of Southern Right whales frolicking in the bay before heading to the islands to see the Cape fur seal and African penguins. On our way back to land we had a stunning encounter with two Albatrosses gliding over the water. The second trip of the day started with some African penguins out at sea hunting before we came across a shy Southern Right whale and a pair of fast-moving Bottlenose dolphins, we had more luck with whales behind the islands, as we encountered a pair that was happy to give us some fantastic views. We finished off this trip with some Cape fur seals and African penguins before slowly cruising through the shallows and back to harbour. The third trip of the day also had some luck with Southern Right whales, including a beautiful view of the tail as it took a dive. The rest of this trip was filled with many seals and some penguins. To finish off the day we had a stellar encounter with a pod of three Humpback whales that joined up with two others and kept us in awe. We also had the pleasure of meeting a Southern Right whale this trip, however, it was a bit on the shy side. The day ended with a visit to the Islands before heading along the coast and back to land.
Trip 1.
Trip 2.
Trip 3.
Trip 4.
Tripadvisor – https://bit.ly/2YZ0jDR
Google – https://g.page/r/Caej8uYZYnR8EBE/review
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/WhaleWatchSA
What species did we see today?
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.
Bottlenose Dolphin Bottlenose Dolphin
At present there are two recognized species of bottlenose dolphin, and in some cases, both species can be found in the same area. The two species are the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), and the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (T. aduncus). In addition, there is a great deal of variation in colouration, diet and behaviour. The difference between the common bottlenose and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin are subtle, but the common bottlenose dolphin generally larger and more robust with a slight darker colouration.
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.
White-breasted Cormorant White-breasted Cormorant
White-breasted Cormorant is the largest African cormorant and they have an iconic white chest, it is a favourite for many of our repeat visitors, and professional wildlife photographers.