Last Updated on December 20, 2021 by Kevin Agar
One of the things that Sandra likes is snorkelling. Having read up about South Africa she decided she wanted to visit Sheffield Beach area, on the Dolphin Coast, and take a look at the tidal pools.
Thompson's Tidal Pool
VTR-L09 1/7800 s. f/2.2 iso50
We stayed at Bed and Breakfast by the Sea which had amazing views of the sea from a high elevation. It was very quiet and had great gardens which attracted a lot of birds. So here are a few shots from the garden.
Bronze Mannikin, Lonchura cucullata
Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/1600 s. f/5.6 iso800 EF500mm f/4L IS USM
Laughing Dove, Spilopelia senegalensis
Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/3200 s. f/4 iso1600 EF500mm f/4L IS USM
Red-eyed Dove, Streptopelia semitorquata
Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/2500 s. f/4 iso800 EF500mm f/4L IS USM
This is an extreme crop as the bird was over 75 metres away but it was a new lifer
Purple-crested Turaco, Tauraco porphyreolophus
Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/2500 s. f/5.6 iso800 EF500mm f/4L IS USM
Cape Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis nitens
Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/500 s. f/5.6 iso1600 EF500mm f/4L IS USM
Natal Spurfowl, Pternistis natalensis
Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/400 s. f/5.6 iso1600 EF500mm f/4L IS USM
Speckled Mousebird, Colius striatus
Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/1250 s. f/6.3 iso800 EF500mm f/4L IS USM
As said, Sandra wanted to snorkel in the tidal pools so we headed to the beach on several occasions and visited some of the most well known ones. She snorkelled in Chaka’s Rock Tidal Pool and Thompson’s Tidal Pool. She was very pleasantly surprised at the amount of life in the Pools, despite all the people walking and swimming in them, and the continual disturbance that caused. The coral seemed to be thriving which was a good sign.
Chaka's Rock Tidal Pool
VTR-L09 1/1000 s. f/2.2 iso50
Chaka's Rock Tidal Pool
VTR-L09 1/1800 s. f/2.2 iso50
Thompson's Tidal Pool
VTR-L09 1/1000 s. f/2.2 iso50
Through the hole in the rock at Thompson's Tidal Pool
VTR-L09 1/1500 s. f/2.2 iso50
Some of Sandra’s underwater photos
Parrotfish
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/500 s. f/4 iso250 4.5-90.0 mm
Butterflyfish
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/500 s. f/4 iso200 4.5-90.0 mm
Coral
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/500 s. f/3.5 iso400 4.5-90.0 mm
Coral
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/500 s. f/3.5 iso500 4.5-90.0 mm
Octopus
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/500 s. f/4.5 iso500 4.5-90.0 mm
Mullet
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/500 s. f/3.5 iso250 4.5-90.0 mm
Sergeant Major
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/500 s. f/4 iso500 4.5-90.0 mm
We explored this area from the quiet of Sheffield Beach to the more bustling holiday area of Ballito. No where was too busy and even at the weekend, the busiest time, it was still fairly quiet. Again, another area of South Africa well worth the visit.
Sheffield Beach
VTR-L09 1/1900 s. f/2.2 iso50
We were informed by our hosts that we would definitely see dolphins from the B&B, and finally we were rewarded.
Dolphin
Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/4000 s. f/5.6 iso400 EF500mm f/4L IS USM
After several days it was time to move on again and our next stop was Underberg in the Drakenbergs. On the way we stopped at Umdloti Beach.
Sandra had another dip in the sea to do some snorkelling, and after the swim and then coffee, we continued on to Underberg.
Umdloti natural tidal pool
VTR-L09 1/1000 s. f/2.2 iso50
Shefield beach and Dolphin coast seem to be fantastic places.I have to admit i have never heard of them.
The snorkelling is interesting, i have done this many times but never taken photos.