Cape Vidal Snorkeling

Of all the easy snorkeling spots in Southern Africa, Cape Vidal must be one of my favourites. The layout of the reef makes snorkeling easy and effortless.

The water is clear and visibility is excellent if you manage to catch low tide between 10h00 and 15h00. There are tons of fish to see, and of course, there is the wreck of the Dorothea, the infamous gold carrier of the Kruger millions. Some shots of the mast and anchor are online at http://www.easysnorkeling.co.za/index_files/CapeVidal.htm. Although you can snorkel Cape Vidal year-round, it is recommended to come in summer as natural sand movement in the bay tends to silt up the snorkeling spot somewhat in winter. A mild current will tug gently at you in the direction of the open end of the reef when the tide ebbs. Even a novice swimmer will be able to compensate for this, just don't forget about it while you look at pretty fish and eventually find yourself in open water!

What sets Cape Vidal apart from other Elephant Coast spots is the road infrastructure. Where with other snorkeling spots like Kosi Bay and Mabibi you need a 4x4, here you have tarred roads all the way from the highway. St Lucia is conveniently situated about 30 kilometres away, and the marvellous Hluhluwe Imfolozi big 5 reserve is less than an hour's drive away.

To get to Cape Vidal camp from St. Lucia, you enter the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a world heritage site. Here you can spot lots of game, as well as rhino, hippo, leopard (which I have never seen here), and elephant (also never seen here). But you might have better luck spotting them than I have had. The camp itself is in the wetland park, but it is fenced off to make a barbeque after sunset less of an extreme sport.