Sea Life in Cape Town: What to Expect

The stoke of riding a wave is hard to describe, one that even a man-made wave pool could achieve. Add the power, life and wonders of the ocean into the mix and surfing becomes an experience that is almost hard to describe.

It’s why we feel different after an encounter with the force of the ocean. We vibe high. Our cells sing. We are temporarily changed – until our next fix, of course.

Perhaps it’s the close encounter with the energy of the ocean, and the incredible life that lives within it, that makes surfing more than a sport, but rather, an experience. In and around Cape Town’s shores, where the meeting of the cold Benguela and warm Agulhas currents creates a haven for rich and diverse marine ecosystems, the ocean teems with life. Here, the chances are high that if you are snorkeling, boating, stand-up paddleboarding or surfing, your ocean experience will be made even sweeter by our friendly, aquatic locals.

So, who’s out there? Allow us to introduce you.

Kelp, the Great African Seaforest

Kelp, also known as the Great African Seaforest, is an underwater marvel that spans over 1000km of coast from Cape Town to Namibia. As the only giant bamboo kelp forest on Earth, its massive, golden ribbons dance elegantly underwater to create a dense haven for playful Cape fur seals and the famous, yet elusive, Cape rock lobster. Its thriving ecosystem also regenerates the ocean, protects the coastline from storm surges, and offers an awe-inspiring space for ocean lovers like us to connect with nature.
To find out more about the wonders of kelp and the Great African Seaforest check out the fascinating work of Craig Foster, creator of the Sea Change Project and highly acclaimed documentary, My Octopus Teacher.

When it comes to sea life in Cape Town, the agility and charismatic behaviour of the Cape Fur Seals certainly add to the vibrant coastal scene along Cape Town’s shores. It is not uncommon to see them either close to the shore or even sunbathing on the rocks. As friendly and cute as they are, it’s best to remember that they are still wild animals and enjoy their charming antics from a relatively safe distance.

Everybody loves dolphins, and understandably so. These gentle, yet impressive creatures offer a beautiful and playful spectacle for their observers. In Cape Town’s coastal waters, it is not unusual to see Common, Bottlenose and Dusky dolphins riding boat bow waves and frolicking along the surf’s backline. Though more elusive, you could find Heaviside dolphins in the cooler west coast waters and the shy, but distinctive Humpback dolphin that likes to roam from Cape Town to Mozambique. Seen all year round, these delightful creatures are more likely to show off their delightful acrobatics during the African summer.

Whales Should Rule the World

Though the timing of whale-watching seasons can vary, Cape Town’s shores are a well-known stadium for whale spectators. If you can take an ocean safari by boat, there is an even greater chance that you could be captivated by the playful behaviour of Humpback and Southern Right whales when they migrate from cold Antarctic waters during June to November to breed and calve. You can distinguish the Humpback from the Southern Right by its dorsal fin (the Southern Right doesn’t have one) and its hauntingly beautiful song. Mystical and wonderful, once you have spent time in the presence of whales, no one would blame you if you thought they should rule the world.

The African Penguin, Stand-Up Comics

Every family needs a comedian, right? For Cape Town’s marine life, that is, without doubt, the African Penguin, formerly known as the Jackass because of its donkey-like braying. Noisy, funny and mischievous, up to 90% of African Penguins mate for life, but only lay two eggs at a time. Sadly, these charming, waddling, sea birds are currently facing extinction.

The Sunfish

Besides an excellent sighting by a Stand Up Paddler fairly close to the shore at Glen Beach, the Aquarium team in Cape Town also recently rescued a massive sunfish weighing over 600kg and measuring 1.66m in length. It would be lucky, yet not impossible, to spot one of these gentle giants with their rough skin and parrot-like beak, because in between their deep dives (of up to 600m) they love to bask on the ocean’s warmer surface to regulate their temperature.

Bluebottles and Jellyfish

Cape Town waters host two small, but fascinating marine organisms – the Portuguese man o’ war, commonly known as the Bluebottle, and the ethereal moon jelly. The Bluebottle, resembling something like a 15th-century Portuguese warship, has a bright blue tail that you want to avoid because of its painful sting.

Similarly, Moon Jellies are transparent and pretty in their sci-fi kind of way and also armed with mild stinging cells. In case you are stung, without using your bare hands, remove any tentacles, neutralise with vinegar, and immerse in hot water. Do not rub or rinse with seawater, as it can worsen the reaction by triggering more nematocysts.

Oh, we almost forgot about some of the other big guys.

The Story of the Great Whites and Orcas

When people think about sharks in False Bay, generally the Great Whites come to mind. However, Cape Town’s unique position, where the Indian and Atlantic oceans converge means that there is a favourable environment for an extraordinary array of harmless shark species in False Bay. Amongst these are Bronze Whalers, Pyjama Sharks, Hound Sharks and Guitar Sharks.

In a surprising marine shift, for three years since 2020, Great White sightings in False Bay crashed to zero. It’s likely that this disappearance of the Great Whites was due to the arrival of the Orcas with a distinct dietary preference for the nutrient-dense Great White liver. However, since November 2023, Shark Spotters have logged a handful of sightings which means that a shift back to the marine ecosystem, indicative of the area, may have begun. Because of this, ocean lovers in Cape Town are grateful to Shark Spotters, an innovative organisation, internationally recognised for its unique approach to minimising conflict between sharks and ocean users.

Much like Shark Spotters, the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area is also a superhero for the sea life in Cape Town, and we are grateful for all they do to protect and preserve our ocean buddies.

These are just a few snippets of the kinds of stories you can expect to hear on our Day Tours where we combine surfing with the highlights of the scenic Cape Peninsula.

Finally, remember we are serious about your fun and safety in and out of the water!

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