Marine School Holiday Program 2026

Mark Fitzgibbon

2 months ago

30 March – 3 April 2026 (During School Holidays)

Are you always looking for holiday activities that do more than just “fill the time”. How about something that sparks curiosity, builds confidence, and maybe even inspire a future career.

This year, Cape RADD is offering a week-long Marine School Holiday Program in Simon’s Town that turns the ocean into a classroom. It’s not just a camp; it’s an introduction to the world of marine biology and citizen science.

The Mission: Becoming a Citizen Scientist

Unlike a standard beach day, this program focuses on Citizen Science. Your child won’t just be looking at the ocean; they’ll be learning how to protect it. From identifying endemic shark species to analyzing underwater video footage, they’ll be contributing to real-world conservation efforts.

A Week of Adventure: What’s on the Agenda?

The program is a carefully balanced mix of “wet” and “dry” learning. Here is a glimpse of the 5-day journey:

Day 1: Finding Their Fins. The week starts with team-building and a marine species workshop. Safety is a priority, so the afternoon is spent fitting gear and completing the SSI snorkel diver training course.
Day 2: Coastal Explorers. Students head to the intertidal zones to explore rocky shores and learn about coastal biodiversity, followed by a purposeful beach clean.
Day 3: The Great African Sea Forest. Students snorkel in the famous kelp forests and return to the lab for a fascinating microscope session analyzing shark egg cases.
Day 4: The Ocean Safari. The team hits the high seas on a research vessel. They’ll deploy BRUVs (Baited Remote Underwater Video) to see what’s lurking below and spend the afternoon analyzing the footage like professional biologists.
Day 5: Making an Impact. The final day focuses on harbor conservation, by joining a community harbour clean and concludes with a certificate ceremony to celebrate their hard work.

The “Need-to-Know” Details

Location: The Ocean Hub, 117 St Georges Street, Simon’s Town.
Ages: Recommended for ages 12–17 (though we are open to exceptions if you have a particularly eager younger explorer!).
Daily Schedule: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Cost: ZAR 5 500 per student.
What to Bring: A packed lunch (or you can arrange for local suppliers), a swimming costume, sunscreen, a towel, and a sense of adventure!

CAPE RADD HOLIDAY PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
	Morning session 1	Morning session 2	Lunch	Afternoon session	Pick-up
	9h00	10h00	13h00	14h00	16h00
30-Mar	Introduction and orientation – Introduce team, set out rules, assign gear.	SNORKEL DIVER THEORY Go through basics of snorkellingMarine Species ID workshop	Packed Lunch eaten at the Ocean Hub	Snorkel training Practical session of skills learned in morning session	Pick up
31-Mar	Intertidal rocky shore Exploration Explore the tide pools for cryptic rocky shore species	Coastal Biodiversity Beach Walk Search for coastal birds and animals along the South Peninsula	Packed lunch eaten on the Beach	Citizen Science Beach clean and marine debris tracking and shark egg case hunt	Pick up
1-Apr	CITIZEN SCIENCE presentation Shark ID WorkshopSnorkel Briefing	SNORKEL FOR SCIENCE A Snorkel in the Kelp Forest looking for catsharks and shysharks	Packed Lunch eaten at the Ocean Hub	Microscope workshop – Shark Egg case analysis	Pick up
2-Apr	OCEAN SAFARI Aboard our research boat, we embark on a trip to search for the marine big 5. We also deploy a baited underwater camera.		Packed Lunch eaten at the Ocean Hub	Video Analysis workshop We will record the data from the underwater video	Pick up
April 3	Community Harbour Clean Briefing and Plastic pollution lecture	Community Harbour Clean and analysis We will snorkel in the Simon’s Town Harbour and collect any marine debris	Packed lunch eaten at the Ocean Hub	Certifications and Ocean Pledge presentations Students present what they have learnt during the course and receive their certificate of completion (SSI Snorkel Diver and Cape RADD)	Pick up

Our Commitment to Safety: Confidence in the Water

At Cape RADD, the safety and well-being of our students are our absolute top priorities. We understand that for many parents, the ocean can feel like an unpredictable environment, which is why we have established rigorous protocols to ensure every participant feels secure and comfortable. Before even touching the ocean, all participants complete the SSI Snorkel Diver program in a controlled pool environment, ensuring they have the foundational skills and confidence required for the open sea. Once in the water, students are outfitted with high-quality, professional gear; including thick 5mm wetsuits for warmth and buoyancy, fins, masks, and all necessary data collection tools. For added peace of mind, flotation devices are always available to any student who needs extra support.

Expert Supervision & Adaptive Planning

To maintain a safe and educational environment, we ensure high supervision ratios and constant monitoring:

Professional Oversight: Every session is led by a trained marine guide and supported by volunteer assistants. A certified first aider is present for every single activity, without exception.
Environmental Monitoring: We work closely with local weather patterns. If we arrive at a site and deem the conditions unsafe, we prioritize caution by either postponing the session or swapping the water activity for an engaging land-based marine science project.
Skill Mastery: We don’t just “go for a swim”; we follow a structured curriculum that ensures students understand their equipment and the environment before they begin their citizen science work.

What is included in the course?

Full snorkel kit rental for the 5-day program (Wetsuit, Mask, Snorkel, Fins, Rash vest)
5 Marine Biology Workshops and tuition
SSI Snorkel Diver certification (includes a snorkel training in a tide pool)
3 Open water snorkels (Kelp Forest, Rocky Reef, Harbour)
A research boat trip
Transport from Ocean Hub to all Cape RADD activities
Photo’s of the experience

What is not included in the course?

Transport to Simons Town, students must be dropped off and picked up
Lunch, students need to bring a packed lunch or have money for food at our local resturants/cafes. (Tea, coffe and water are provided throughout the day)

Why Simon’s Town?

Simon’s Town is the gateway to False Bay, a global biodiversity hotspot. By basing the program here, Cape Radd gives students access to incredible marine life, from the “Marine Big 5” to the tiny, colorful nudibranchs that call our reefs home.

Ready to sign up? Spaces are limited to ensure a high-quality, hands-on experience for every student. You can contact us at info@caperadd.com or send a WhatsApp to +27 79 734 4883 to secure a spot.