Marine Big 5 Daily Blog 22 October
Written by October 22 2025
Whale Watching near Cape Town, South Africa – Welcome to Gansbaai, home of the Marine Big 5.
Trip Summary 22 October 2025:
What an incredible day here at Marine Dynamics! We started the day bright and early, ensuring we made the most of it. Due to the ongoing spring tide, our earlier trips either launched from or returned to Gansbaai Harbour, which led us past the Danger Point peninsula. Throughout the day, we have successfully sighted the elite of the greater Dyer Island area. Bronze whaler sharks were seen around the Shark cage diving boats, investigating divers in the cage, and, due to great visibility, were even visible just underneath the surface. Our seasonal visitors, the Southern Right whales, were super active, leaving our guests and crew in awe. From breaching to flipper and tail slapping, we had it all! The critically endangered African Penguins on Dyer Island were soaking in the sun close to the water after coming back from sea. The Cape fur seals colony on Geyser Rock was cooling themselves down in the chilly waters of Shark Alley or observing us closely while heading up and down the channel. Some of our trips have also been lucky to have encountered some of the endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphins enjoying the surf in shallow waters.
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What species did we see today?
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.
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 Cormorant Cape Cormorant
One of the most famous species of Cormorant in the Western Cape, the Cape Cormorant is well known for it's beautiful turquoise eye and impressive size.
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.
