The aims were (1) to describe the diversity and geographical distribution of the intertidal mite fauna of southern Africa, and (2) to show how species richness, endemism and geographical patterns of this fauna (comprising taxa of variable terrestrial ancestry) compare with typically marine faunas. Keywords: Acari, Ameronothroidea, biogeography, Halacaridae, Hyadesiidae, intertidal zone, marine mites, southern Africa.