Snorkeling In South Africa – The World In One Snorkel

South Africa is a practical demonstration of the word “diversity” on all levels. From a floral perspective, South Africa is home to semi-deserts, forests, and grassland plains. On a cultural level, South Africa is a marriage of backgrounds, ethnic groups and languages.

South Africa’s southernmost tip is also where two oceans meet – the mighty Indian and Atlantic – a union between hot and cold currents – leading to a rich diversity of marine life. Along 3000 kilometers of alternating sandy and rocky coastline, some of the best beaches in the world can be found.

Despite the fact that South Africa is well south of the coral belt, the warm Mozambique current along the east coast has led to Africa’s most southerly coral reefs. The effect is great scuba and snorkeling in a somewhat cooler clime than the unbearable heat found along the equatorial regions of Africa. The rainy season here is in the summer, and it is mostly thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Further down the east coast, towards Cape Town in the south, the climate changes from tropical to Mediterranean, with wet winters and hot, dry summers. Here the water is cooler, and the underwater scenery changes from tropical coral to beautiful forests of kelp.

The biggest plus of a holiday in South Africa is that sheer number of things to do - not only inside, but also out of the water. The family members who are not “into” snorkeling can drive off to a local game reserve and catch the big five, or investigate the rich floral and breathtaking geographic landscape around.

By: Louise van Heerden

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More information on easy snorkeling spots in South Africa may be found at www.easysnorkeling.co.za.