Marine Big 5 moments, 18 September 2019
Written by September 18 2019
We’ve seen all members of the Marine Big 5 today. The least sighted of them, the Indian Ocean humpback dolphins decided to make an appearance on two of our trips. It was a group of about 5 or 6 individual, including two calves. It was really nice to see them playing around in the surf and sometimes coming up with their faces out of the water so that we could see them well. We also enjoyed the company of Southern right whales on all trips today, and we had a bonus encounter with a humpback whale on our first trip out this morning. The final Marine Big 5 members; Cape fur seals, African penguins and sharks, were seen on all our tours. On our second trip we had an exceptional sighting of a fairly large great white shark. Finally, to add to our sightings list, we also had some really nice diverse bird sighting today.
Photos from today
Indian Ocean humpback dolphin surfacing
Indian Ocean humpback dolphin
Indian Ocean humpback dolphins
Humpback whale
Southern right whale adult head and juvenile dorsal with a white blaze
Adult and juvenile Southern right whales
Juvenile Southern right whale tail
Very playful whale
Shy albatross
Cape cormorant
Cape fur seals
Black African oystercatcher and cape fur seal
African penguins on Dyer Island
What species did we see today?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Great white sharks Great white sharks
Gracious, beautiful, misunderstood - three words used by guests of Dyer Island Cruises after witnessing South Africa's most infamous marine species: The Great White Shark.
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.
