Episode Information

Southern Africa has a dramatic landscape. Two contrasting currents, the cold Benguela on the west and south, and the warm Agulhas on the east, bathe the shores. These two contrasting oceans create one of the most diverse marine environments on Earth with abundance in life. The two marine currents not only rule the marine world but they are giant forces that shape the landscape through the climate. Oceans of Contrast is a journey of exploration. We investigate the cold and rich marine realm of the west coast that creates a lush and abundant landscape in the oceans, but an unforgiving dry world on land. Seals, African penguin, Cape gannets and the Southern Right whales find refuge here to breed. On the east side of the continent the warm, fast flowing current flows south from the Mozambique Channel. The sea is a semitropical paradise with coral reefs, tiger- and ragged tooth sharks, turtles and brightly coloured tropical fish. It’s a feast for the eyes – and for the oceans hungry inhabitants.