Marine Big 5 Daily Blog 24 December
Written by December 24 2024
Whale Watching near Cape Town, South Africa Welcome to Gansbaai, home of the Marine Big 5.
Trip Summary 24 December 2024:
It is another sunny summer day here in Kleinbaai! We launched early today as the wind was forecasted to pick up during the day. After heading out of the harbour we started our cruise along the coast where one boat managed to see an elusive Indian Ocean humpback dolphin. We continued passing Uilenkraalsmond and heading towards the shark cage diving boats. One boat was already out on anchor, allowing us to stop by to see the Bronze Whaler shark. It was busy around its cage and we saw multiple sarks at the surface. Still in awe of the sighting, we continued along a reef towards Dyer Island to see the penguins. We had a great look at some of them and spotted plenty of Cape Cormorants. The Cape fur seals on Geyser Rock were posing in the sun and sleeping and others had a cool down in the waters surrounding their colony, living their best lives. The deeper waters were unfortunately quiet today with no other marine mammals but a sighting of Cape Gannets, Cape Cormorants and a brief look at a sunfish.
We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Tripadvisor – https://bit.ly/2YZ0jDR
Google – https://g.page/r/Caej8uYZYnR8EBE/review
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/WhaleWatchSA
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.
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.
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.
Sunfish
