1. The Southern Right and Humpback Whale
These beautiful creatures are frequently seen at Stony Point near Betty’s Bay and along the cliff paths of Kleinmond, Onrus, Walker Bay in Hermanus, the De Hoop Nature Reserve, Gansbaai and Witsand. Between June and November many towns celebrate the passing with various events created to welcome these remarkable giants of the sea, like the Two Oceans Whale Festival.
2. Bottlenose Dolphin
The Bottlenose Dolphin spends a lot of time underwater compared to land or flight animals and are almost ever seen in a pod. These friendly sea mammals and are often regarded as the most intelligent and research has shown that they are second to humans in intelligence.
3. African Penguin
The African Penguins are dressed the best! They look like they’re wearing tuxedos because of their shiny black and white feathers. The Stony Point penguin colony, situated in the coastal town of Betty’s Bay is one of two mainland-based penguin colonies, the other being at Boulder’s Beach in Simonstown. Jackass penguins and ostriches are the only flightless bird species found in Africa.
4.Great White Shark
The Great White Shark lurks under the waters of Gansbaai also known as the Great White Capital of the World. Experience these magnificent creatures up close, so close that you can almost touch them! Shark Cage Diving allows you the opportunity to discover their behavioral patterns and beauty in their natural habitat. The area between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock is appropriately named ‘Shark Alley’, this is the casual ‘hangout spot’ of Great Whites during the colder months who feed on fat Cape Fur Seals that breed on Geyser Rock.
5. Cape Fur Seal
Cape Fur Seals are playful and nosey animals. They’re often seen tagging along with the boats, diving and rolling in the water alongside vessels. This marine mammal is equally at home on land or sea and you can find them basking in the sun on rocky islands for hours. A colony of 60 000 Cape Fur Seals can be seen on Geyser Rock near the town of Gansbaai.
