SOUTHERN AFRICAN
Temperate Seashore

The further south and west along the southern coast of Africa you go, the cooler the water gets, with more oxygen and extra nutrients being brought in by the Benguela current.


One of the most distinctive and widespread bird families of most seashores around the world are the Oystercatchers. Most are black or black and white, and the 'African Oystercatcher', found along the coasts of southern Africa, is no exception.

(the Boulders, South Africa)

The most common and familiar group of birds along temperate seashores are of course the gulls. The species that is most obvious along the southern African shores is Larus dominicanus vetula, '(Cape) Kelp Gull'.

(the Boulders, cape Town, South Africa)

The 'Cape Cormorant' is found only along coasts of southern Africa...

'Cape Cormorant' (the Boulders, cape Town, South Africa)

When people think of birds in cooler water, most would probably think of penguins. The species here is Spheniscus demesus 'Cape Penguin', or 'African Penguin'.

(the Boulders, South Africa)
Cape Penguin and young (the Boulders, South Africa)

Places to see experience African seashores

One of the best known and prettiest places is the Boulders, near Cape Town South Africa.

About the author

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Written by Damon Ramsey. All photographs by author (unless credited otherwise). This is not AI written. Images and information are added to this website continuously as of 2026. Feel free to copy photographs for educational purposes, but please acknowledge with: www.ecosystem-guides.com.  Ecosystem Guides posts pretty shots on Instagram and some sillier photos on Facebook.  Contact Email: damon@ecosystem-guides.com

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