Selected species of phytoplankton, including species that often give problems in identification with light microscopy, are discussed and illustrated with scanning electron microscopy from samples collected in the Benguela upwelling system. The species represent two choanoflagellates, one chrysophyte, two prasinophytes, one cryptomonad and fifteen diatoms. Structure of the cells as they appear in SEM is compared with previous published knowledge on their structure from light microscopy as well as electron microscopy. Identity of the South African specimens is, thereby, authenticated and compared with the species as they are known from other regions.