Marine Big 5 Daily Blog 27 February
Written by February 27 2026
Whale Watching near Cape Town, South Africa – Welcome to Gansbaai, home of the Marine Big 5.
Trip Summary 27 February 2026:
Today was nothing short of magical out on the water. The weather conditions were calm and clear. Within seconds of entering the bay, we were greeted by a pair of majestic Bryde’s whales cruising gracefully through the water. It’s always such a privilege to encounter these giants so early on in a trip. Not long after, we found ourselves surrounded by a pod of common dolphins. Their playful behaviour lit up the ocean as they surfed alongside the boat. As if that wasn’t enough, we also spotted a raft of penguins resting at sea, always a heart-warming sight. We made our way toward Dyer Island to observe the endangered African penguin in their natural habitat. Excitement peaked in Shark Alley, where the lively Cape fur seal colony had everyone smiling and cameras clicking. To top it all off, we made a stop in the shallows where the water revealed the jaw-dropping sights of bronze whaler sharks gliding effortlessly beneath us, with the Indian Ocean humpback dolphins making a surprise appearance near the coast, a breathtaking end to an unforgettable day.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Common Dolphin Common Dolphin
With an 'hourgalss' patch on either side and aerial activity the common dolphin is an agile and majestic species, that may easily reach a speed of 40km/h.
