Apart from the beaches, Margate also offers some of the best snorkelling and diving in South Africa. The beautiful warm Indian Ocean currents bring with it a multitude of fish and other aquatic life. Large shoals of fish and even the occasional shark can be seen at many of the preferred diving spots and coral reefs - including Bo Boyi Reef, Deep Salmon, Adda Reef and the famous Protea Banks. Whether scuba diving, snorkelling or just swimming around and enjoying this wonderful coastline, exploring the endless reefs, underwater caves and tidal pools is a must. Other outdoor activities include surfing, sailing, canoeing and skiing and of course, just relaxing and soaking in the sun on Margate's Blue Flag beach. When the outdoors gets a bit much, the town of Margate also has some great shopping, pubs, bars and nightlife on offer. Walking through the town, you can pop into the many small art galleries and craft markets or have a meal at one of the quaint restaurants. For bird watchers, a visit to the Margate Bird Park is a must - children will also enjoy the play area on offer. A short 40km trip inland to Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve offers some excellent game viewing, where you can see wildebeest, zebra and giraffes. There you can also arrange full-day or half-day walking, cycling and horse riding trips which are highly recommended - and a superb way to explore the wilderness.
