Marine BIG 5

The Great Whites and Whales are back after lock down and ready to welcome you to Gansbaai: “The Great White Shark Capital of the World” and home to the Marine Big 5: Sharks, Whales, Penguins, Dolphins & Seals

A number of Boat Cruises can take you on an adrenaline-surging adventure to Shark Alley and if you are brave enough you can even shark cage dive and experience these beautiful creatures up close. 

Gansbaai has a variety of shark species, namely; the Great White Shark, Copper (Bronze) Whaler Shark and Seven Gill Cow Shark.

Depending on which boat cruise you choose, they will take you to Dyer Island Nature Reserve, which is an Important Bird Area (IBA) and breeding island for the African Penguins, Cormorants, Roseate Tern, Petrel, Harlaub’s Gulls and African Black Oytercatchers. Adjacent to Dyer Island is Geyser Rock home to the Cape fur seal colony. 

Should there be any whales you will be taken to the whale hot spots in the bay where the whales will be expecting you. Best possibility of a sighting of the Southern Right Whales (Gentle Giants), Bryde's Whales and Humpback Whales; is June to December. 

The pods of Bottlenose, Common and endangered Humpback dolphins can be seen between March and August. They are always on the move and are an agile and majestic species. 

All the Boat Cruise operators are all committed to conservation and have marine biologists available to answer any questions you might have. Families of all ages can join and have the opportunity of capturing amazing wildlife photography. 

Depending on the time of the year you could be fortunate enough to see all the Marine Big 5 in one trip. Trips typically last about 2-2,5 hours. Book your trip NOW with: Marine Dynamics or White Shark Projects.

Last, but definitely not least is the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary situated in Kleinbaai and part of The Dyer Island Conservation Trust. Be sure to stop in at the Sanctuary where you can visit with the Penguins and marine birds who are being rehabilitated. Enjoy a cuppa and some cake, browse the Penguin Gift Shop and watch the antics of the African penguins; daily feeding at 15h00. Visit them at: African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary

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