Marine Life
The South African coastline stretches for 2800km between Namibia in the west and Mozambique in the east. It is a rugged coastline, exposed to high wave energy and strong winds. The interaction between two great oceanic systems - a powerful current and strong upwelling, warm and cold, east and west, makes the South African coast unique. From the coral reefs of the Indian Ocean to the kelp beds of the Atlantic. It is one of the richest, most biologically diverse and most oceanographically complex marine environments on Earth.
The east coast between Cape Padrone in the Eastern Cape and Mtunzini in Kwa Zulu Natal, has 343 estuaries, and is characterized by warm waters between 20-25°C. The colder Atlantic waters in the west reach between 9-14°C, and the southern temperatures 16-21°C. There are a few sheltered coastal inlets, two of these being Saldanha Bay and Durban
South Africa boasts an exceptionally rich marine environment. Endowed with a huge diversity of ecosystems, there are over 11,000 species of marine animals, and numerous species of marine plants and seaweed. The nutrient-rich Benguela upwelling system off the south-west coast draws cool, nutrient-rich water from the seafloor to the surface and supports large numbers of marine animals, while the Agulhus Current off the east coast has a smaller quantity of fish, but a greater diversity of species. The Benguela system supports the largest mainland seal colonies in the world, masses of seabirds, endemic penguins, and fisheries that provide employment for 25,000 South Africans as well as recreational angling.
Biodiversity
 There are some 2 200 species of fish in the seas around South Africa, equivalent to about 15% of the total number of marine fish species worldwide. There are 270 families of fishes represented in South African waters, equivalent to 83% of all marine fish families known. Noticeably, up to 13% of the fish species are endemic - the highest possible level worlwide. There are several families considered to be typically South African. These are the klipfishes, the gobies, the seabreams, the catsharks and the toadfishes. Even more impressive are the invertebrates with an estimated 36% which are considered as endemic. These include sea cucumbers, squids, jellyfishes and pelagic copepods. This marine species richness is largely attributable to the diversity of habitat and the fact that South Africa is located at the confluence of three great oceans: the Indian, Atlantic and Southern Oceans
The Sardine Run
 Between May and August, South Africa's east coast waters become an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet when the annual sardine migration takes place. Tens of thousands of sharks, seals, seabirds, dolphins, and game fish converge on vast schools of Sardinops sagax, the South African pilchard, or sardine, which migrates northward along the coasts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. The sardine run is considered one of the marine wonders of the world!
Diving
 Diving at any of the sites along the shores of South Africa is an experience of visual overload. Aliwal Shoal, 48km south of Durban is considered one of the best dive sites in the world. From June through to November you are sure to see 'raggies' - Ragged Tooth sharks, as they congregate on the Shoal to mate. Aliwal also has some of the southern most hard coral communities in the world, and is a protected marine area - the equivalent of a national wildlife park.
Diving on the reefs at Sodwana Bay, is a feast for the senses. Tropical fish, hard and soft coral, sponges, moray eels, large schools of pelagic fish, potato bass, turtles (hawksbill, loggerhead, green, leatherback) and depending on the time of year, whales (southern right, humpback), whale sharks and dolphins. The bay is situated in a marine reserve that forms part of the World Heritage classified Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park.
Cape Town delivers up old shipwrecks and kelp 'Cathedrals' for divers. Kelp, especially the giant Atlantic variety, called sea bamboo, is the trademark of the western coast. Like its terrestrial namesake, sea bamboo grows at a prodigious rate—up to 1.3 centimeters a day, and the fronds, eroded constantly by wave action, produce six times their own weight in detritus each year, making the kelp ecosystem one of the most productive on Earth. Gansbaai, 160km from Cape Town, or Mossel Bay are the favoured dive sites to see a Great White. April to September are the best months, when the sharks are particularly active in their feeding patterns.
The African Penguin
 Boulders beach, just past the naval village of Simon's Town, is one of South Africa's few mainland breeding colonies for the endearing African penguin. Endemic to the area, the cool, rich waters make it possible for them to thrive in a breeding habitat normally associated with icebergs. Nesting season for the 3000+ colony is between February to August, and they moult from November to January. As the 60cm tall penguins roam freely on the beach, you can experience them up close and personal, but please don't get too close or disturb them as they can bite.
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