Marine Big 5 Daily Blog 21 March
Written by March 21 2026
Whale Watching near Cape Town, South Africa – Welcome to Gansbaai, home of the Marine Big 5.
Trip Summary 21 March 2026:
Launched from the quiet waters of Gansbaai Harbour during low tide, it didn’t take long before we spotted a Bryde’s whale. The whale surfaced several times, close to the boat, giving us an unforgettable encounter with one of the ocean’s gentle giants. After this great start, we made a stop at Danger Point, a rugged and historic stretch of coastline known for its shipwrecks and raw beauty. From there, we continued toward Dyer Island, where we saw a group of African penguins. Our journey took us past Geyser Rock, home to a bustling colony of Cape fur seals. The surprises didn’t stop there. Along the coast, we encountered a bronze whaler shark near the shark cage diving boats, followed by the sight of three humpback dolphins. We couldn’t have asked for a better day at sea. With sightings of the remarkable Marine Big Five, it was a truly lucky and unforgettable adventure.
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What species did we see today?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
