FREEDIVING & SNORKELING ARTICLES

Elephant seals are iconic marine mammals, distinguishable by their gargantuan size and trunklike elongated nose, known as a proboscis. They form part of the order Pinnipedia, and are classified as phocids, or true seals, due to their lack of external ears and reduced limbs. Elephant seals are said to have evolved in the Pacific Ocean

The Portuguese man o’ war (Physalia physalis), commonly known as the bluebottle, is a marine organism often mistaken for a jellyfish. It is, however, actually a colony of specialised animals known collectively as a siphonophore. Siphonophores consist of four distinct organisms, known as polyps or zooids, that function together. The Portuguese man o’ war namesake

Box jellyfish, scientifically known as Cubozoa, are a fascinating group of invertebrates that belong to the phylum Cnidaria. There are currently 51 described species, however as they are wide ranging and occupy tropical and subtropical coastal waters around the world, there are likely more species yet to be discovered. They are commonly found in regions

Stingrays are a diverse taxon of cartilaginous fish closely related to sharks. They exist within eight different families consisting of approximately 220 described species, with fossil records dating 150 million years back to the Jurassic period. Although grouped together in the suborder Myliobatoidei, stingray families are extremely diverse with forms varying greatly across these groups.

Globally renowned for its stunning natural beauty, it’s no surprise that Cape Town’s beaches are among the best in the world. With approximately 307km (about 190.76 mi) of coastline, the Mother City boasts an abundance and variety of beaches suited to the preferences of both locals and tourists alike. From the rugged coastline of the

Echinoderms are a phylum of marine animals commonly characterised by popular spiny skinned species such as sea stars and sea urchins. An equally curious yet perhaps lesser known member of this phylum is the sea cucumber, which lacks distinctive spines and is typically soft and flexible and can vary in size from a few centimetres

With its long stretches of coastline and extensive kelp forests, the Cape Peninsula hosts a myriad of snorkeling locations, from easily accessible beginner sites to exciting caves and wrecks for the avid explorer. During the summer months in the Cape (December-February) the prevailing winds stem from the south-east, which results in offshore winds on the

The galjoen (Dichistius capensis) is a marine fish species native to the waters of South Africa. Characterized by distinctive silver-grey coloration, and an elongated body shape with a deeply forked tail, these striking animals are an important ecological component of South Africa’s coastal ecosystems and are highly regarded due to their status as the country’s

Nestled on the eastern side of the Cape Peninsula, the seaside gem of Simons Town is a firm favourite for both beginner snorkelers and experienced freedivers alike. The stretch of coastline has an abundance of sheltered bays, small sandy coves, and pristine kelp forests that make for memorable ocean experiences. Great African Sea Forest Due