Under The Cape

Without disturbance from wind and waves, the sediment and sand settle offering decent visibility right off the beach for snorkeling. Riding an SUP around the cape on such days can also be an interesting experience, looking down through the clear waters gives a glimpse of the shape of the reef and a unique view of exactly what you’re surfing over.

The cape itself is made up of a mixture of sand, coral rubble and rock which also shelter small mud flats on the northern side. The coral reef surrounding the cape is grey, dead and broken, and huge displaced rock boulders litter the outside as the reef drops away. There’s not much in the way of sea life to be seen, some fish, a few jellyfish and the odd crustacean, a shadow of it’s former self. It must have teemed with life at some point and was undoubtedly wrecked beyond repair by the 2004 tsunami. The constant pressure of local villagers stringing fishing nets indiscriminately and picking the exposed reef clean of all life every low tide can’t be helping matters.

Even so, the cape is still a beautiful spot and the view in the mornings with the sunrise pouring over the mountains is well worth getting out of bed for.