Marine Big 5 Daily Blog 05 April
Written by April 5 2025
Whale Watching near Cape Town, South Africa – Welcome to Gansbaai, home of the Marine Big 5.
Trip Summary 05 April 2025:
Despite the wind and swell, we had some great sightings. We cruised past Uilenkraalsmond and stopped at the shark cage diving boats. Unfortunately, it was quiet there today, and we missed the sharks. Shortly after we crossed a reef and kelp forest, we quickly found a Bryde’s whale. While waiting for the whale to surface, we saw some common dolphins approaching the boat. We first watched the whale and then had some incredible sightings of these dolphins bow riding. At the two Islands, we watched the Cape fur seals and spotted some penguins on Dyer Island posing on some rocks close to the water’s edge. Before returning to the harbour, we made another pass at the cage diving boats, but still quiet around them, but there we saw some birds, including the White-chinned Petrel, European Storm Petrel, Subantarctic Skua, Common Tern, Kelp and Hartlaub’s Gull.
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What species did we see today?
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.
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.
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.
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 Gannet Cape Gannet
Well documented for their aireal displays, experiences with with the famous Cape Gannet are always breath taking, and hold a special place in every photographers portfolio.
