Located below the coastal road, Soetwater is a narrow swathe of land wedged between the Atlantic Ocean and the impressive Slangkop mountain and is incredibly biodiverse, offering visitors the chance to see endemic, endangered species such as African black oystercatchers, otters and caracals. Established in 2009, it stretches for some 10km down to nearby Misty Cliffs near Scarborough.

The coastal edge of Soetwater is a wonderful wetland punctuated with lagoons and inlets. It’s one of the last remaining slices of pristine coastal terrace on the entire Cape Peninsula and its rocky shores, undulating vegetated dunes and mountainous screes are a haven for wildlife like dune molerats, tortoises and even the shy grysbok.

Two tidal pools offer swimming options and there are well defined trails leading up Slangkop, but one of the best things to do is explore the fabulous rock pools along the coast which are filled with a variety of marine life at low tide.

Part of the Table Mountain National Park, Soetwater is also popular with shore divers who use the conservancy to access the rich marine ecosystem that lies offshore which features impressive kelp beds that are home to a wide variety of life.

Frequented by seals, rarely seen sharks like the pyjama catshark, the spotted gully shark and the seven-gill cow shark, octopuses and crustaceans including crabs and crayfish, the beauty of the kelp forests has to be seen to be believed.

The kelp itself grows like tall trees and sways softly with the constant ebb and flow of the tide. Exploring it is like being immersed in an underwater Eden and transported to another planet. Of course, the water is exceptionally cold, so you will need a thick (7mm) wetsuit with booties, a hood and gloves to stay as warm as possible. You can choose to scuba dive with a tank or free dive and snorkel.

And when you’ve finished with the chilly waters off Kommetjie, you can relax in the sun next to Fin Whale Beach House’s beautiful, sparkling pool or in the soft, white sand dunes that are just a few footsteps away…Visit our partners,shoes – leaders in fashionable footwear!