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Snorkeling is the easiest way to explore the marine world. If you can swim, you can snorkel. In the Garden Route there are a number of places to snorkel, each requiring a different level of experience for safe snorkeling.
For the majority of the year water temperatures are mild and require some thermal protection, but in general a 3mm wetsuit is ideal. In summer months from November through to March, as the Mozambican Current brings warm water from the tropics, tropical fish can be found in rock pools and along the rock shoreline.
It is this thermal transition zone that produces the diversity of marine life in the Garden Route and patient divers will find soft corals, hard coral, numerous invertebrates and even a range of colourful Nudibranchs while exploring the intertidal zone.
A popular and safe place to snorkel is in the rock pools at Gericke's Point 4km west of the village of Sedgefield. There are two option, either to snorkel in the tidal pools at low tide or off the rock shelf in the open water.
The Knysna Lagoon also offers some superb snorkeling, though divers must be cautious of the tides. The best time is to snorkel half an hour before the high tide and to exit as the tide starts going out.
AMD Odyssey offers guided snorkeling tours at both of these locations. |
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The best time to snorkel in the tidal pools is during the spring low tide. This is when the water is the clearest and it is similar to swimming in an enclosed aquarium.
Experienced free divers can dive in the open ocean on the rocky reefs around the peninsula, but often surf conditions can reduce visibility.
Located in front of the East Head Cafe of the navigation beacon, it is located in water ranging from 6m to 16m.
It is best to dive at the turn of the high tide for two reasons. Firstly, from a safety perspective, if the current is going to wash you away, it is better to be swept into the lagoon. Secondly, from a visibility perspective, the incoming tide brings clearer water. Once the tide begins going out it washes lagoon sediment out with it and the water can turn dirty very quickly.
Entry is in front of the NSRI launch ramp, swimming past the beacon for 25m. Then dive down.
