Keen to take a dip in the icy waters of Cape Town while exploring its marine life? The Mother City has a multitude of amazing spots that are perfect for snorkelling. From swimming with Cape fur seals to massive cow sharks, here are a few incredible snorkelling spots to try on your next dive.
Miller’s Point
Nestled along the False Bay coast, you need to trek from the parking lot to the dive spot, but it’s well worth the effort. The area is characterised by large areas of granite corestone reef and a kelp forest that you can find beyond the tidal. The tidal pool is a great spot if you’re just starting life as a snorkeler and looking to explore the coast’s marine life. Speaking of marine life, you can expect to spot a range of unique creatures, including Leopard catsharks and octopus.
Hout Bay:
Hout Bay isn’t only good for enjoying delicious parcels of fish and chips, but there are also several snorkelling spots. Swim with adorable fur seals and harmless cow sharks. If you’re a beginner and don’t feel too confident swimming the waters of Hout Bay alone, there are numerous guided tours to pick and choose from. These trained experts will help you navigate the blue waters of Hout Bay.
Windmill Beach:
Windmill Beach is another gem located along the False Bay coast and is situated right next to Boulders Beach. It’s a great spot if you’re searching for diverse marine life, with seals, cow sharks and fish being regulars in this area. It’s also great for newbies and advanced snorkelers, offering beautiful coral reefs to swim through. Once you’re done enjoying a dip with the fishes, relax and spend the day picnicking or kayaking.
Sandy Cove:
This gorgeous little bay is located around the northern corners of the Twelve Apostles Hotel. It’s a bit tricky to get to and includes a steep descent from the road, but there’s a gorgeous kelp forest and shoals of fish that make it worth the effort.
Pyramid Rock:
Located a few kilometres from Miller’s Rock, this is an excellent spot to explore the waters of False Bay. Filled with tons of marine life, such as gully sharks, shy sharks and cow sharks, Pyramid’s Rock is great for beginners and advanced snorkelers. Named after the massive rock that’s visible during low and high tide, access to the shore is not the best, but this will not affect your snorkelling experience.
Picture: Unsplash
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