Since being proclaimed a MPA in 1990, Goukamma has been heralded as one of the country’s great marine success stories.

Located 10km west of Knysna, the Goukamma MPA encompasses a 14km stretch of coastline from Buffels Bay to Platbank, and stretches one nautical mile (1.85km) out into the ocean.

The Goukamma MPA supports a rich mixture of warm-temperate species, including many that are endemic to the south coast of South Africa.

The MPA estuary is one of very few semi-closed estuaries. It functions naturally and no artificial opening or closing of the mouth is carried out. An important factor for an MPA estuary such as this one is the fact that it has a large catchment area.

The MPA is an important breeding area for the rare African black oystercatcher, while many other sea birds are known to frequent the area.

Globally threatened sea turtles are present in the area, including loggerhead, green, hawksbill and leatherback turtles. Many other species of marine mammals have been sighted, including various species of dolphins, whales, sharks and seals.