Salt Escape

26/05/2024

A small group of KZN folk got together this morning for the first event in our Winter Static Series! PB's were smashed out by almost everyone!

Great learning experience in lead up to our final event in August, which has been registered with .south.africa for official ranking.

Well done, and thank you to all the divers who participated!

Big thanks to the safety team and for judging and briefing all divers on general do's and don'ts. Thank you to for assisting with time keeping. Finally, thank you to our hosts, , for the use of the pool.

Looking forward to the next session on the 30th of June!

25/02/2024

Finally home after 3 intense weeks in Mozambique doing my Molchanovs Wave 3 & Instructor course with Nat Alie 💙

Now, who wants to learn how to dive!? 😅

26/01/2024

BLUE THERAPY 💙 If you've ever wondered why most surfers are happy people... it's probably because of all the time spent surrounded by water.

In a quote by WHO (2017) ~ Most of the earth's surface is covered by water, and most of the human body is composed of water—two facts illustrating the critical linkages between water, health and ecosystems.

It's simple to understand that there are benefits to being in, on or near large bodies of water. There are scientific studies highlighting these benefits and effects on overall wellbeing.

26/01/2024

Demonstrating safety drills with .squad.dbn 💙 Rule 1, always dive with a buddy! Thanks for rescuing me 😅

Captured by

26/01/2024

This is Smiley! A very well known Blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) off Umkomaas. If you haven't already guessed where she gets her name from, it's because of her dislocated jaw that gives the impression that she's smiling!

There's no way to know for sure how she damaged her jaw, but typically, when a shark gets such an injury, it tends to be from commercial fishing lines and nets getting hooked in their teeth. Trying to remove these things via violent thrashing will result in accidentally dislocating their lower jaws. This is a bad thing for the shark because a broken jaw means they can't catch prey as effectively. Eventually, they will die from starvation in most cases.

Luckily for Smiley, the KZN Shark diving industry means that from time to time, she gets a free meal! If not for shark dive operators, she mostly likely would have had a long, slow death.

Shark diving also allows us an opportunity to observe sharks in the wild. To learn about their behavior and change the narrative of blood thirsty man eaters, to incredible apex predator.

Respect the locals ✌🏻

22/11/2022

https://www.tdisdi.com/pfi-diver-news/can-the-mammalian-dive-reflex-help-control-anxiety/

How the Mammalian Dive reflex, used in Freediving, combats anxietyIn the last sixty years or so, it has become known that freedivers, those who hold their breath to dive deep under the water’s surface, benefit from the Mammalian Dive Reflex (MDR) in several ways. But can that same reflex help cont...

16/11/2022

Everyone who has been on holiday by the beach would have had some experience with snorkeling. Whether by snorkeling themselves, or seeing other beach goers float on the surface and marvel at the underwater world with delight.

So what’s the difference between freediving and snorkeling?

Freediving vs Snorkeling – What’s the Difference Everyone who has been on holiday by the beach would have had some...READ MORE

08/11/2022

Looking for last minute gift ideas? We’ve got you covered! Here’s a list of our top 5 favorite brands with the perfect gifts for the festive season. 💙

Check them out -

Saltee's Tees and Accessories
Wild Kind Apparel
Breathe Ocean Conservation
linda.ness.pix

Lost for last minute gift ideas? We’ve got you covered! Here’s a list of our top 5 favorite brands with...READ MORE

10/06/2022

While the rest of Durban braced for more flash flooding, a small group of ocean lovers enjoyed the warm water of Sodwana Bay.

Casey De Lange, Chelsey Hale, Cheyenne Maxine, Da Blu Juice, Wendy Ayliffe, 101 Surfing

Sodwana Bay Retreat Recap While the rest of Durban braced for more flash flooding, a small group of ocean lovers...READ MORE

06/06/2022

I might not agree with the dolphin's in captivity, but there is no doubt that SAAMR's dedication to marine conservation and education far outweighs this outdated form of entertainment.

It's a catch 22, but hopefully in the future, through further eduction to the general public, dolphin shows will too be a thing of the past.

03/06/2022

WILDTRUST, together with the Justice 4 Jaws team are excited to invite you to the screening of Our Oceans: Shark Sanctuary.

This is a 48min film that unveils and highlights the incredible shark event that happens along our coastline as well as the impending ocean threats which raise the need to increase ocean protection.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO NOTE:
Screening Date: 15 June 2022
Venue: Durban Underwater Club
Time: 17:30 for 18:00

Kindly note that seating is limited. Please RSVP to [email protected] by 10 June 2022.

Wildlands Shark Attack Youth4MPAs Ocean Impact Ocean Stewards Shark Conservation Fund The Point Water Sports Club Durban Undersea Club

26/05/2022

A team of researchers were in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park last week tagging Reef Manta rays as part of PhD candidate, Nakia Cullain’s investigation into the movement ecology of reef mantas of southern Africa. This was the first time reef mantas have been acoustically tagged in South Africa.

Mozambique is known to host the largest identified population of manta rays, but there have been reports of serious declines in the last two decades. Manta ray populations are declining globally as a result of both targeted fisheries and indirect anthropogenic threats.

Image: Dr Ryan Daly // African Shark Diaries

Saambr Wildoceanssa Marine Megafauna Foundation Dalhousie University Shark Attack Oceans Alive Shark Conservation Fund

26/05/2022

🎣𝑬𝑿𝑪𝑰𝑻𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑻𝑨𝑮 𝑹𝑬𝑪𝑨𝑷𝑻𝑼𝑹𝑬🎣

On the 1st February 2022 we had our 434th spotted grunter tag recapture for the ORI Cooperative Fish Tagging Project (ORI-CFTP), and the third longest time at liberty for this species!

This grunter was originally tagged by Nick Baikoff on the 15th December 2014 in the Duiwenhoks River, Western Cape (WC), measuring 650 mm Fork Length (FL). This fish was recaptured 2 605 days (7.1 years) later by Jenni Spolander upstream in the Breede River, WC, measuring 664 mm FL (converted from the Total Length measurement) having grown about 14 mm and moved about 19 km.

Spotted grunter are found in warm temperate waters of the Western Indian Ocean from India to South Africa and are found along the entire eastern seaboard of southern Africa as far south as False Bay in the WC. Adults are found in estuaries and coastal waters over soft sediments. Juveniles are mainly found in estuaries and harbours which they use as nursery areas, but also occur in coastal embayments and shallow coastal waters. Despite this species making seaward migrations to spawn in spring and summer, adult spotted grunter often return to the same estuary. This species has been the subject of extensive research using both external dart tagging and acoustic telemetry. Spotted grunter reach maturity at 33-39 cm TL and an age of 3 years, with males maturing earlier than females. They can reach a maximum size of 91 cm FL, a weight of 9.5 kg and have been aged to a maximum of 16 years. Unfortunately, the South African population is considered to be overexploited as a result of overfishing and estuarine degradation and has therefore been listed as Red (DON’T BUY) on the SASSI list. However, the global population has been evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. There is a daily bag limit of five-per-person-per-day and a minimum size limit of 40 cm TL. No-take estuarine protected areas throughout this species’ distribution will provide improved protection, and it is also likely that the new uThukela Banks Marine Protected Area will play a role in protecting adult spawning fish.

For more interesting information on our linefish species, be sure to download our new ORI Fish App Marine Fish Guide for Southern Africa from Google Play (Android) or the App Store (iPhone). We would like to thank our taggers and the members of the angling public for their ongoing support in reporting these exciting recaptures to us. Please keep up the good work!​
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23/05/2022

REVIEW 💙 "Thank you so much for an amazing weekend. You are an excellent host and a true safe pair of hands. Felt comfortable doing everything you set for us knowing you are there… 🧜🏻‍♀️" ~ Tamryn Simpson

23/05/2022

WORLD TURTLE DAY 💙 This female Loggerhead hung out with us for quite a while yesterday!

Thanks for helping me identify this lady!

11/05/2022

Meet Flappy the Hawksbill sea turtle 🤓 identified by the injury on it's right flipper. We don't know yet if Flappy is a boy or a girl, but that's the exciting work being done by 💙

You can contribute as a to the database being built by Nats

27/04/2022

FREEDOM 💙 /ˈfriːdəm/

1. the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants.

2. the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved.

On this day in 1994, South Africa held it's first post-apartheid elections. A reminder that while change doesn't happen over night, there is progress. Provided we learn from our mistakes, the future looks promising.

How are you celebrating your

20/04/2022

It's ONE MONTH to our SALT Escape in Sodwana Bay 💙 We're so looking forward to this under water experience, learning to be still and find peace in the everyday chaos. If you want to explore life below the surface and learn more about Marine Conservation and how you can make a difference, join us. There's still 3 spots left! DM for details 🐟

14/04/2022

WOW KZN, why you gotta be the problem child of the provinces?

There have already been multiple beach clean up initiatives all over Durban. Find one near you and participate this weekend! It doesn't even need to be an official event, if you're near a beach, take along a bag and clean up what you can. Every little effort helps. The municipality is overwhelmed with multiple electric and water faults and are attending to communities in need. So if you are in a position to help our oceans, they need support too.

What we have learned is that the sun will come out again, the power will return and the taps will flow with water once more. We are resilient 💙 sending love to all 💙

08/04/2022

The most common reaction to telling someone that we swim with sharks is, “Are you mad?”
The answer is no, we’re fascinated. Swimming with a Apex predator is simply an experience you can’t describe. We encourage everyone to try it at least once.

If you want to learn more about swimming with sharks, join us for a shark swim.

https://saltescape.co.za/portfolio/swim-with-sharks/

07/04/2022

GOODNESS BAG 💙 Did we mention that everyone who joins our SALT Escape get's a little thank you gift, we like to call a "Goodness" Bag!

For our Sodwana Bay escape, we've partnered up with the team at Lust Surf for these awesome beach pillows! Great for lazy days on the beach!

05/04/2022

There's so much more to the sea than what's on the surface. We host guided ocean experiences, where you can safely explore life below the surface.

Join us on our next Reef Dive. We guide you on a snorkel at one of the most recognised reefs in the world, Aliwal Shoal. 🐠

04/04/2022

What do we get up to at our SALT Escape retreats? 🌊

Here's a sneak peek of our itinerary for the weekend. While the weather can't be controlled, we do have back up plans if the ocean doesn't allow us to play!

The retreat is all about YOU, so all activities are optional. 💙 No diving experience is needed!

Only 3 spaces left so DM for more info.

25/03/2022

HEY YOU! 🐋 There are only FOUR spots left for our May retreat! If you want to have an experience you'll never forget, and leave feeling more connected to the sea... come play with us!

23/03/2022

REVIEW 💙 "Absolutely amazing experience! Super efficient, amazing value for money and the most loving, warmest soul ever! Definitely making myself a regular here!" ~ Rineshia Naidoo

22/03/2022

WORLD WATER DAY 🌊

Cultures around the world equate water with healing and energy. As a symbol of life, water represents divine generosity. It’s a personification of healing and suffering, protection and vulnerability, change and constancy, stillness and rage.

You can't deny that there is something about this natural recourse that connects us. 💙

20/03/2022

REEF FISH 🐠

Believe it or not, but an eel is really a fish! Eels resemble snakes but are, in fact, fish. The honeycomb moray’s long slender body has a white to yellowish base colour with numerous black spots covering the entire body. Making them incredibly beautiful to look at!

The open mouth might look like a threat, but moray eels open and close their mouth to breathe by pumping water through their gills; the two openings behind their head. 💙

14/03/2022

SALT ESCAPE 💙 That's exactly what we do on our Retreats... we escape the city and go to the salty sea.

Only a few spaces available. Drop a DM to book your place. 🤙 Deposit of 50% to secure your place.

13/03/2022

12/03/2022

With subscribers to my newsletter getting first choice, we only have a few spaces left for our May Retreat to Sodwana Bay! Bookings officially open on tomorrow.

Check out our retreat scouting weekend for a preview of what we've got planned...

https://saltescape.co.za/portfolio/sodwana-bay-scouting/

When our diving friends asked us to join them for a trip to Sodwana, we didn’t hesitate!