Celebrating MPA Day 2026

A Marine Protected Area is just an abstract idea until you are floating in one. You can read the definition: "a stretch of coast set aside to protect marine life, support fisheries, build climate resilience" - and still not feel what it means. On Saturday, 1 August 2026, at Miller's Point in Cape Town, we set out to close that gap: to turn a line on a map into an exciting morning in the water.

The occasion was Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Day, held every year on 1 August to highlight the crucial role these protected areas play in marine conservation. To mark it, the I AM WATER team hosted a public community snorkel and dive - an open invitation to Cape Town to come and meet its own coastline up close.

We set up near the tidal pool with wetsuits, masks, snorkels, fins, and inflatable buoys, creating a welcoming space for safe, sustainable, and fun engagement with both the ocean and the I AM WATER team.

Our founder, Hanli Prinsloo, opened the event with a heartfelt welcome, sharing the importance of MPAs and the significance of the day. Her little son added a powerful reminder not to litter and emphasised that this MPA is a no‑take zone - an inspiring example of how youth voices can champion ocean protection on our shared planet.

Ocean lovers from across the city and beyond gathered under clear skies, with calm waters and perfect visibility. Together, we dove into the open ocean, celebrating the beauty and importance

of our marine ecosystems.

And then, as if on cue, we had visitors! Whales surfaced offshore, close enough to watch from the water - a reminder of exactly who these protected waters are for. Some of the snorkellers surfaced wide-eyed: beneath the waves, they could hear them, the low calls carrying through the water in a way you never forget once you've felt it in your chest. It's one thing to talk about the ecological value of an MPA; it's another to have its residents show up and make the case themselves.

While some team members coordinated gear distribution and shared awareness about MPAs, others guided participants in the water, ensuring safety and promoting sustainable practices. They also highlighted the ecological value of kelp forests and their diverse inhabitants. The event brought together newcomers and seasoned divers alike, fostering connections, mentorship, and friendships in the water.

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By the end of the morning, the Marine Protected Area was no longer an abstract idea to anyone who'd been in the water. That's what this community snorkel and dive demonstrated: ocean protection needs human connection, and conserving our oceans depends on collective action, for both present and future generations.