So, when you think of Africa, you probably think of wide-open plains, surreal sunsets, awe-inspiring wildlife and dramatic mountain ranges. If you've experienced a gay-friendly holiday in Africa before, you were likely blown away by the majestic Big 5, admired gorillas, and stood in front of the thundering Victoria Falls. However, Africa has more to offer...and it lurks underneath the surface of the deep blue sea. We've compiled our favourite photos of Africa's underwater world to get you excited about taking the plunge.
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Whale shark in the shallow clear water of Mozambique channel, Image Credit: Katya Tsvetkova
Want to explore something a bit more off the beaten path? Then you should add swimming with whale sharks at Tofu Beach in Mozambique to your African bucket list. To do this, the best time to visit is between June and January.
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Dolphins swimming underwater, Image Credit: Alex Vog
Did you know that Southern Africa is one of the best places in the world (yes, world!) to watch dolphins and whales? These mammals will make your holiday memories much more memorable, as seeing them in their natural habitat is a true privilege.
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Kaleidoscopic underwater coral reef
Exploring Africa's underwater coral reef is an explosion of colour set against the azure blue waters, teeming with marine life. From Zanzibar, Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles, if you're a keen diver, there are plenty of dreamy underwater destinations to add to your itinerary. Let's get wet and wild!
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Enchanting kelp forests of False Bay, Cape Town
Plenty of astonishing marine life make themselves at home in Africa's underwater kelp forests near Cape Town. But there's more to kelp forests than just making a pretty picture, as they are recognised for being some of the most productive and dynamic ecosystems on our planet!
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Red knobbed sea star and sea urchins in Zanzibar, Tanzania
The red knob sea star, also known as the red spine star, African sea star, and red-knobbed starfish, is known for its thick, grey body with many bright red tubercles extending along each of its five arms. On your next snorkelling adventure in Africa, be sure keep an eye out for these attention-grabbing stars of the ocean show.
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Big green sea turtle swimming among colourful coral reef in dark, clear water, Image Credit: Alex Vog
Sea turtles are such gentle, ancient-looking creatures, and we just love them! Did you know that there are seven species of marine turtles calling our oceans home? In Africa, you can see a couple of these species like the green, hawksbill, loggerhead, leatherback, and olive ridley turtles. If this sounds right up your alley, you should visit one of the Indian Ocean islands like Seychelles, as well as the islands in Mozambique.
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Cute cape fur seals swimming underwater in South Africa, Image Credit: Dai Mar Tamarack
Cape fur seals are endemic to Namibia and South Africa, and nearly two million live in our ocean! Did you know that they can sleep underwater and come up to the surface to breathe? Impressive!
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Great White Shark in blue ocean waters
If you want to see great white sharks, South Africa is one of the best places to go. Places like Simon's Town, Mossel Bay and Gansbaai, in particular, are famous for close-up great white shark sightings.
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Humpback whale breaching, Image Credit: Cathy Withers-Clarke
Africa's underwater world is home to gentle giants, the beloved whale. Your best chance of seeing these creatures are along the Whale Coast in South Africa, where loud claps echo along the shoreline as they breach, carry out courtship rituals and bear their calves. Hermanus, located on this coast, is one of the best places to do land-based whale watching.
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The African penguin is adorable, Image Credit: Uryadnikov Sergey
Perhaps the most surprising creature calling Africa's underwater world home is the African penguin, awkward on land but super slick in the water! You can find them along the South West Coast of Africa. However, Boulder's Beach, close to Cape Town, is where you'll find the most famous colony.
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Harvest Capella Shipwreck on Oude Schip Island, Image Credit: Marlin Clark
On the rocks at Oude Schip are the rusty remains of a Sea Harvest fishing vessel called MFV Harvest Capella. It was shipwrecked in 1986, allegedly during a south-easterly gale. Along the African coastline, one can find incredible shipwrecks, some dating hundreds of years ago for a glimpse into the past. Therefore, there's plenty to see for keen divers wanting to explore the magical underwater world!
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