Kelp Forest Guided Snorkelling Tour, Cape Town

The Great African Sea Forest

Along the Cape Peninsula the cold Atlantic and False Bay waters support a forest of giant kelp, a brown seaweed that anchors to the rocks and grows towards the light in stems up to fifteen metres tall. From the surface it looks like a tangle; from beneath it is a cathedral of golden-brown columns swaying with the swell, light filtering down between them. This is the Great African Sea Forest, the only forest of its kind on the African continent.

Kelp forests are among the most productive ecosystems on earth, sheltering hundreds of species and absorbing carbon as they grow. The water here is cool, usually between twelve and eighteen degrees, which is why a thick wetsuit is included and why the visibility can be so good. Snorkelling in the kelp forest is one of the most unusual things to do in Cape Town, and the biologist explains it all before you get wet.

The sheltered coves near Simon's Town

The tour takes place on the False Bay side of the peninsula, south of Cape Town near Simon's Town, where granite boulders create calm, protected coves with easy entry from small beaches. Our biologist chooses the exact cove each morning according to wind, swell and visibility, and confirms the meeting point after booking, so you always snorkel where conditions are best that day.

This stretch of coast is part of the Table Mountain National Park marine protected area, where fishing is restricted and the reefs are healthy. Simon's Town itself is about forty-five minutes by car from the city centre along the scenic False Bay coast road through Muizenberg and Kalk Bay, and the penguin colony at Boulders Beach is a few minutes away, so the snorkel combines well with a day on the Cape Peninsula.

The animals of the kelp forest

Beneath the canopy the forest floor is alive. Shysharks, small, harmless catsharks that curl into a ring when disturbed, rest between the rocks; octopus hide in dens and change colour as you watch; brightly patterned klipfish hover in the fronds; and the rocks are carpeted with sea urchins, sea stars, anemones and nudibranchs in colours that seem impossible in such cold water. Cape fur seals sometimes dart through the group, curious and playful.

Your marine biologist knows where each species lives and how to spot it, and explains the behaviour you are seeing. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and the group moves slowly and never touches or chases any animal; the aim is to be a quiet visitor in the forest. The photos taken during the session capture both the animals and you drifting among the kelp.

Snorkelling with a marine biologist

What makes this tour different from a simple swim is the guide. A marine biologist leads every session, starting on the beach with an in-depth briefing on how the kelp forest works, which animals you may meet, how to move through the fronds and how to use the equipment. In the water the biologist stays with the group, points out creatures you would never find alone and answers questions afterwards.

Part of every booking goes to local marine research, and observations from the sessions help build a picture of the forest's health over time, so guests are taking part in citizen science as well as having fun. Groups are limited to eight, which keeps the experience calm and lets the guide give everyone attention, especially those who are nervous in the water.

Planning your kelp forest snorkel

Sessions start at 10:00 and 13:30 and last about two hours including the briefing, changing and around an hour in the water. You need to be a confident swimmer comfortable in open water; children are welcome from around twelve if they swim well, and the biologist decides on the day whether conditions suit younger guests. Wetsuit, mask, snorkel and fins are provided; bring a swimsuit to wear underneath, a towel and warm clothes for afterwards.

The best time to snorkel the kelp forest depends on the wind: False Bay is often clearest from late autumn to spring when the summer south-easter has stopped, but calm, clear days occur all year, which is why the cove is chosen each morning. Sessions are weather-dependent and may be moved if the sea is rough; we tell you as early as possible and help you rebook.