Dyer Island

Description

Dyer Island is a 20 hectare nature reserve situated 8.5km from Kleinbaai harbour in Gansbaai, Western Cape. Dyer Island is managed by CapeNature as it is the breeding ground for many sea and shore birds, such as the vulnerable African Penguins as well as the endangered Bank Cormorant and Roseate Tern. Other breeding species include the Cape, White-breasted, and Crowned Cormorants; Leach’s Storm Petrel; African Black Oystercatcher; along with Kelp and Hartlaub’s Gulls.

Because of its close proximity to the seal clad Geyser Rock, Dyer Island is the perfect place to watch the sharks feed and is the point of interest for many shark cage diving tours. The island is recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA). There are 1228 IBAs in Africa, and 101 in South Africa. Thus, from a national bird conservation perspective, Dyer Island is one of the 100 most important sites in the country.