Marine Big 5 Daily Blog 27 June
Written by June 27 2026
Whale Watching near Cape Town, South Africa – Welcome to Gansbaai, home of the Marine Big 5.
Trip Summary 27 June 2026:
Our morning adventure began just off Danger Point, where we were treated to the incredible sight of two southern right whales calmly surfacing alongside the boat. As we continued further offshore into deeper waters, excitement grew when a humpback whale was spotted, reminding us of the spectacular marine life that calls these waters home. Before reaching the Cape fur seal colony at Geyser Rock, a pod of bottlenose dolphins joined us. Their curious nature and displays made for an unforgettable encounter. At Geyser Rock, thousands of Cape fur seals covered the rocky island, creating a lively scene filled with constant movement and calls echoing across the water. From there, we made our way to Dyer Island, where we were fortunate enough to spot endangered African Penguins resting along the shoreline. To end an already remarkable trip, we stopped by the local shark cage diving boats, where several Bronze Whaler Sharks cruised gracefully beneath the surface. Seeing these magnificent predators in their natural environment was the perfect finale to an incredible day exploring the rich and diverse marine life of the Dyer Island ecosystem.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
