The coastal river systems on the west coast of South Africa from the Orange River to the Groot Berg were surveyed during the period September to October 1993. The ichthyofaunal and physicochemical characteristics of each system are discussed in relation to their suitability as estuarine nursery areas. Of the fifteen systems sampled, only three appeared to exhibit any estuarine characteristics in terms of their fish fauna. Of the remainder, one system was a coastal lake system which had been severely altered and eleven were either dry river beds or semi-permanent waterbodies which are normally isolated from the sea and appear to be of little value as habitat for either resident or estuarine-dependent marine fishes. The systems on this arid coast are, however, very important habitats for migratory and resident waterbirds.