Cape cormorant! Marine Big 5 Daily Blog
Written by January 9 2021
Today has been another sunny day at sea with a light breeze that was picking up throughout the tour. As soon as we launched from Kleinbaai harbour we set course towards the shark cage diving boats but had to return towards the end of our trip to see a Bronze whaler shark. Out in the deeper waters of the bay it has been a little quiet, but around Dyer Island there was a lot of life and stuff going on. Flocks of Cape cormorants were returning from sea and two Giant petrels were gliding over our heads around the boat. We also spotted endangered African penguins resting on a rock surrounded by more cormorants. At the Cape Fur seal colony, we got to see thousands of pups making their way closer to the water and other swimming in the alley.
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.
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.
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.
