What if exploring Cape Town’s coastline could also teach you about the ocean, conservation and your own impact on the environment?
That’s the idea behind Guardians of the Deep, an organisation dedicated to sustainability and marine education. Founded by Sally Sivewright, it connects people with nature through education, science and hands-on experiences. Together with her team, she created the Cape Kelp Forest Trail, a collection of unique experiences across the Cape Peninsula. Each time you complete an experience, you’ll get a sticker for your passport. Collect them all to receive a Cape Kelp Forest Trail notebook.
The passport suits different budgets, so you can choose how much you want to do and explore at your own pace.
A Sustainable Connection
For Guardians of the Deep, sustainability isn’t about ticking off a checklist of eco-friendly actions. It comes down to three things: fostering a deep connection with nature, bridging science and daily choices, and strengthening resilient communities.
“We want to break down the barriers to scientific research and information, making them more accessible and using them to inspire a conservation movement that starts with the choices we make every day,” Sally explains.
The organisation runs school and holiday programmes, after-school clubs, school field trips, public talks and immersive nature experiences.
“We need a healthy environment to survive as a species,” she says. “We have found that these connection experiences encourage people to make more powerful, environmentally positive choices.”
Cape Town’s coastline faces its fair share of challenges, from pollution and sewage outfalls to illegal dumping, habitat destruction, sand mining and overharvesting. Sally hopes that by getting people out there and helping them understand what they’re seeing, they’ll be inspired to make more conscious choices and play their part in protecting the coastline.
Grab Your Passport and Explore
The best way to understand Cape Town’s marine environment is to get out and experience it for yourself. The Cape Kelp Forest Trail lets you do just that.
Find out more about marine research and diver development with Cape RADD, head out with Captain Jacks to spot marine life, or learn about the importance of kelp from Guardians of the Deep.
The trail also takes you beyond the water. Take a coastal walk, try kelp-inspired food at Kelp Shack, make music from dried kelp with Music from the Sea, get creative at Noordhoek Creative Studio, or learn about South Africa’s natural heritage through storytelling with Puppet Planet.
Small Choices, Big Impact
Guardians of the Deep challenges people to reflect on the choices they make every day. Something as simple as bringing reusable bags to a beach clean-up, cutting back on single-use items, or checking the SASSI app before choosing seafood can make a difference.
Education plays a major role, especially among young people.
“We want to make environmental science more accessible and encourage children to ask questions and think critically,” says Megan Webster, the organisation’s Educational Director.
“Access to accurate information from a young age ensures that we are nurturing critical thinkers who can question the status quo,” she adds.
She recalls a story about a Tembo Mentor who attended the Chacma Champions Holiday Programme. While walking with her church group, she encountered a troop of baboons. The children were scared, but the mentor used what she had learned to calm them. They sat quietly and watched the troop forage and groom one another.
Your Next Cape Town Adventure
Ready to explore Cape Town’s marine environment from a fresh perspective?
To learn more about Guardians of the Deep, visit here.
Choose your next experience here.
