Visitors to Jeffreys Bay this holiday season, who are looking for unique entertainment, can visit the Marina Martinique Beach, where they can dive into the water and enjoy the vast variety of fish while swimming through the newly built snorkel route.
Since blue flag beaches are required to host five environmental educational activities during the December to April season to retain their blue flag status, the Marine Club, which is an extension of the Wildlife Committee, built their snorkel route to ensure that visitors are able to safely snorkel.
Once the snorkel route was complete, they launched the season in October this year and hosted two events at the Marina Martinique Beach, between Jeffreys Bay and Aston Bay, which included snorkeling and the building of marine habitats. Both events were thoroughly enjoyed by residents and visitors.
In November they hosted the third event, returning shells to the sea. The additional two events are daily treasure hunts on the beach and tidal chart training which will take place sporadically.
According to Dr Christél Coetzee, vice chairperson of the board of directors of the Marina Martinique Homeowners’ Association, the newly established snorkel route allows children to snorkel to a sunken pirate ship and view a host of marine habitats with small creatures.
Statues have also been sunken to provide homes for marine creatures.
“Children can participate in a treasure hunt and snorkel all within a safe environment. The Marina Martinique Beach promises to be a fun in the sun day for young and old,” said Coetzee.
She further said the snorkeling route is an initiative of the Marina’s Wildlife Committee to educate people about the importance of marine life and to protect the ecosystem of the waterways for future generations.
Coetzee said since the snorkel route was established, they have seen an increase in visitors and are looking forward to welcoming more people to the beach this festive season.
Snorkeling gear is available at the Tiki Bar and costs R300 and R23 for fish food.
The Homeowners’ Association’s hard work and commitment to the beach was finally recognised on November 3, when Marina Martinique was one in three beaches in the Kouga region that received Blue Flag status under the auspices of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA). Dolphin Beach in Jeffreys Bay and Cape St Francis Beach also received the world-class status.
Coetzee said Blue Flag status is awarded for excellence in safety, amenities, cleanliness and environmental standard.
“The Blue Flag status award emphasises the marina’s commitment to a healthy ecosystem. This secures the marina’s status as an investment and tourist destination,” said Coetzee.
