This Saturday, KZN South Coasters are invited to dive into the wonder of the ocean with the Aliwal Shoal Hope Spot as coastal communities from all over gather to celebrate Marine Protected Area Day with an unforgettable lineup of marine experiences!
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa (30 July 2026) – Marine Protected Area (MPA) Day is happening this Saturday, 1 August, and the Aliwal Shoal Hope Spot will join coastal communities around the world in celebrating with a full programme of experiences designed to connect people with one of South Africa’s most extraordinary marine protected areas!
Celebrated annually around the world, MPA Day shines a spotlight on the importance of Marine Protected Areas in safeguarding biodiversity, supporting coastal communities and strengthening our relationship with the ocean.
The initiative is supported globally by Mission Blue and encourages people to celebrate the remarkable places that sustain life beneath the surface and inspire us to protect them.
As one of Mission Blue’s internationally recognised Hope Spots, Aliwal Shoal forms part of a global network of exceptional ocean places championed by local conservationists and led by legendary oceanographer Dr Sylvia Earle.
Locally, the Aliwal Shoal Hope Spot programmes are implemented by Wild Alliance Africa, whose work brings together communities, scientists, tourism operators, educators and conservation partners in a shared commitment to protecting this globally significant ecosystem.
This year’s programme offers something for everyone:
The celebrations begin on the evening of Friday, 31 July, with a screening of the acclaimed Netflix documentary Mission Blue, which follows Dr Sylvia Earle’s lifelong journey to inspire hope and action for the ocean. This will take place at the Cutty Sark Hotel and will begin at 18:00.
At first light on Saturday, participants will embark on the 33-kilometre Aliwal Shoal MPA Beach Walk, traversing the entire Marine Protected Area from Kelso to Illovo Beach. Along the way, they will pass through Rocky Bay, Preston Beach, Park Rynie, Scottie’s Caravan Park, Scottburgh Main Beach, Clansthal Beach and Umkomaas Main Beach, where members of the public are encouraged to cheer them on as they celebrate the coastline that connects these communities.
At 10:00, two boats will launch from Scottburgh Main Beach, carrying invited conservation champions and long-standing advocates for the marine protected area. One vessel will head to the reef for a dive on the world-renowned Aliwal Shoal, while the second will offer an ocean safari to observe humpback whales and other marine life during the annual winter migration.
Also at 10:00, the Aliwal Shoal Ocean Leadership Programme will host a free guided exploration of the remarkable rock pool ecosystem at Green Point Beach, Clansthal. Open to visitors of all ages, the experience offers a unique opportunity to discover the incredible diversity of life thriving in the intertidal zone. Participants should meet at the Clansthal Main Beach parking area.
Related Stories
Two Rescued Doelings Find a Happy New Friendship at Joburg SPCA
Celebrating Barbara’s 18 Years of Service, Leadership and a Lot of Happy Tails!Russel Symcox, Founder of Wild Alliance Africa, shared that Marine Protected Areas are living classrooms, places of wonder, and powerful reminders of our connection to the natural world.
“Every person who walks this coastline, explores a rock pool or experiences the ocean firsthand becomes part of the story of protecting it. Lasting conservation begins when people fall in love with a place, and MPA Day is our invitation to experience it with us.”
Marine Protected Areas are among the most effective tools available for protecting biodiversity, supporting sustainable livelihoods and building resilience in the face of a changing climate.
MPA Day reminds us that global conservation begins with local action, and that by celebrating places like Aliwal Shoal together, we strengthen the collective responsibility to care for them for generations to come.
Wild Alliance Africa extends its sincere appreciation to the generous sponsors and event partners whose support has made this year’s celebration possible: Mission Blue, MPA Day, ScubaXcursions, Oceans Alive Scottburgh, Keep Scottburgh Beautiful, Halfway Toyota, Aliwal Shoal Ocean Leadership, Ocean Festival, Premier Hotel Cutty Sark and Umdoni Municipality.
Everyone is warmly invited to be part of this special celebration of Aliwal Shoal and to experience the beauty, biodiversity and inspiration that make this Hope Spot one of South Africa’s most treasured marine environments.
Sources: Supplied
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:
Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 
