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 …
Diving into one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, the Great African Seaforest provides a unique experience of the marine environment and the abundance of creatures that dwell there. The dense canopies and three-dimensional structure make the kelp forest a perfect habitat for a wide diversity of fish, mammals, algae and invertebrates. Immersion …
Despite their small stature, nudibranchs cause great excitement amongst the diving community of the Cape Peninsula. Their vibrant colours and fascinating physiology lodge these gastropod mollusks as firm favourites on many freediving photographers’ lists. Gas Flame Nudibranch Nudibranchs can be found in oceans across the globe, with new species discoveries taking place regularly. There are …
Despite being known most affectionately as puppies of the sea, there is more to seals than their playful demeanour and charismatic presence. In oceans across the globe, seals are a vital component of the food web and contribute to essential roles as keystone species within marine environments. Seals are grouped into three distinct families, namely: …
Sea sponges are a curious group of organisms that have long since raised questions regarding their classification as either plants or animals. Originally thought to be plants due to their sessile nature, sponges have subsequently been reclassified as animals due to their lack of plant vascular systems or ability to create their own food through …
Basket stars (Astrocladus euryale) are an intricately beautiful type of brittle star, mostly seen on sea fans and sometimes clinging to rocky outcrops. Basket stars and brittle stars are closely related to starfish and have a similar shape with a central disc and arms extending from it. Basket stars have 10 arms with numerous tiny …
The Cape knifejaw (Oplegnathus conwayi) is the cold water equivalent of the tropical Parrotfish. While adult Cape knifejaws are dark grey, nothing close to a rainbow coloured Parrotfish, their juveniles are bright yellow with black vertical bands. Their teeth fuse together to form beak-like structures much like parrotfish. Its ‘beak’ has no doubt been the …
The spotted gully shark (Triakis megalopterus), also referred to as the sharptooth houndshark, is a shark we are always excited to find in the kelp forests around Cape Town. We mostly encounter these houndsharks in shallow inshore areas particularly around Waters Edge, Shark Alley and Millers Point and around Buffels Bay in Cape Point Nature …
One of the top Cape Town tourist attractions is the penguin colony at Boulders Beach in Simons Town. We spend a lot of time in this area with our snorkelers and freediving students, especially at Windmill Beach which flanks the penguin colony on the southern side and Waters Edge which flanks it on the northern …
