Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay

file:Coral Gardens Oudekraal banner 4 - star=yes | ftt=yes | notoc=true | caption= Hottentot seabream in a kelp forest - a typical shallow water environment of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay}} This regional dive guide is intended to provide the already qualified Scuba diving|scuba diver with information which will help to plan dives in the waters of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay, whether as a local resident or a visitor. Information is provided without prejudice, and is not guaranteed accurate or complete. Use it at your own risk. Expand or correct it when you can.

The region described is within a day trip by road from any part of greater Cape Town, in the Western Cape province of South Africa and includes well over 200 named dive sites for which positions are recorded, which is a lot for any single destination.

Detailed information on individual dive sites is provided in the sub-articles linked from the Dive sites section. The information in the site descriptions ranges from superficial to highly detailed, depending on what is known about the site.

In some instances a dive site sub-article will include several sites which are in close proximity, as much of the information will be common to them all. In other cases, usually involving wreck sites, two adjacent sites will each have its own sub-article, but if two or more wrecks lie in the same position, or with substantial overlap and they will be described in the same sub- Halal Travel Guide.

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay Halal Travel Guide

Astronaut photo of Cape Town STS081-738-23 - upright=1.5|The Atlantic Seaboard is to the left of the peninsula, and False Bay to the right in this astronaut photo of Cape Town Satellite image of Cape peninsula - upright=1.5|This Landsat and SRTM perspective view uses a 2-times vertical exaggeration to enhance topographic expression. The back edges of the data sets form a false horizon and a false sky was added. On the way to a dive off Cape Town PA312178 - Divers on the way to a dive site off Cape Town

General Topography

The City of Cape Town was founded at the northern end of the Cape Peninsula, a narrow mountainous strip of land at the most 11 km wide and just over 50 km long. The northern border is the coast of Table Bay, a large open bay with a single island, Robben Island, in its mouth.

A ragged coastline marks the western border along the Atlantic ocean. A number of small bays are found along the coast with a single large one, Hout Bay, about half way along. Further south the peninsula narrows until it comes to an end at Cape Point. A range of mountains with Table Mountain at 1,085 m at the northern end forms the backbone of the peninsula. The highest point of the southern peninsula is Swartkop, at 678 m, near Simon’s Town.

The eastern side is bordered by False Bay, and this stretch of coastline includes the smaller Smitswinkel Bay, Simon’s Bay and Fish Hoek Bay. At Muizenberg the coastline becomes relatively low and sandy and curves east across the southernn boundary of the Cape Flats to Gordon’s Bay to form the northern boundary of False Bay. From Gordon's Bay the coastline swings roughly south, and zig-zags its way along the foot of the Hottentot’s Holland mountain range to Cape Hangklip which is at nearly the same latitude as Cape Point. The highest peak on this side is Kogelberg at 1,269 m.

In plan the bay is roughly square with rather wobbly edges, being roughly the same extent from north to south as east to west (30 km), with the entire southern side open to the ocean. The area of False Bay has been measured at about 1,090 km², and the volume is roughly 45 km³ (average depth about 40 m). The land perimeter has been measured at 116 km, from a 1:50,000 scale map.

The bottom morphology of False Bay is generally smooth and fairly shallow, sloping gently downwards from north to south, so that the depth at the centre of the mouth is about 80 m. The bottom is covered with sediment which ranges from very coarse to very fine, with most of the fine sediment and mud in the centre of the bay. The main exception is a long ridge of sedimentary rock that extends in a southward direction from off the Strand, to roughly level with the mouth of the Steenbras River. The southern tip of this ridge has been known as Steenbras Deep.

There is one true island in the bay, Seal Island, a barren and stony outcrop of granite about 200 m long and with an area of about 2 ha. It is about 6 km south of Strandfontein and is less than 10 m above sea level at its highest point. There are also a number of small rocky islets which extend above the high water mark, and other rocks and shoals which approach the surface. Most of these are granite of the Peninsula pluton, but east of Seal Island they are generally sandstone, probably of the Table Mountain series, though it is feasible that some may be of the underlying Tygerberg formation.

Outside the bay, but influencing the wave patterns in it, is Rocky Bank, an extensive area of sandstone reef between 20 and 30 m depth.

Strictly speaking, False Bay is part of the Atlantic Ocean which extends as far as Cape Agulhas, but when in Cape Town, Atlantic generally refers to the Western seaboard of the Cape Peninsula, and the east side is referred to as False Bay, or the Simon's Town side. This convention will be used throughout this guide.

Climate, weather and sea conditions

Winter boat ride P7136014 - Winter diving in False Bay The ride may be wet from spray or rain

Climate of the Western Cape

The climate of the South-western Cape is markedly different from the rest of South Africa, which is a summer rainfall region, receiving most of its rainfall during the summer months of December to February. The South-western Cape has a Mediterranean type climate, with most of its rainfall during the winter months from June to September.

During the summer the dominant factor determining the weather in the region is a high pressure zone, known as the Atlantic High, located over the South Atlantic Ocean to the West of the Cape coast. Winds circulating in an anticlockwise direction from such a system reach the Cape from the south-east, producing periods of up to several days of high winds and clear skies. These south easterly winds are locally known as the Cape Doctor. They keep the region relatively cool and help to blow polluted air from the industrial areas and Cape Flats out to sea. Because of its south facing aspect False Bay is exposed to these winds, particularly on the west side, while Table Bay and the west coast of the peninsula experience an offshore wind. This wind pattern is locally influenced by the topography to the extent that gale force winds may be blowing in Gordon’s Bay, while about 10 km away parts of Somerset West may have a sweltering and windless day.

Winter in the South-western Cape is characterised by disturbances in the circumpolar westerly winds, resulting in a series of eastward moving depressions. These bring cool cloudy weather and rain from the north west. The south westerly winds over the South Atlantic produce the prevailing south-westerly swell typical of the winter months, which beat on the exposed Atlantic coastline and the east side of False Bay. The mountains of the Cape Peninsula provide protection within the west side of False Bay from this wind and from the south westerly waves – a fact which influenced Governor Simon van der Stel in his choice of Simon’s Bay as a winter anchorage for the Dutch East India Company’s ships for Cape Town. The north westerly winter storms have wrecked many ships anchored in Table Bay over the centuries. Even today, in spite of technical advances and improved weather forecasting this still happens, though less frequently than in the past, and these days the salvage operations are more often successful.

Weather

There can be considerable variation in weather conditions between different sites in the area covered by this guide on any day, though the general tendency may be similar. For example rain may fall on the Cape Peninsula in the morning, and by afternoon these conditions may have moved over to the east side of False Bay and the peninsula may be clearing with a significant wind directional shift from north westerly to south westerly. The general trend is for the weather to come in from the west and move eastwards with the frontal systems, but there can also be more local weather phenomena such as thunderstorms (rare) and Berg winds, which are warm winds coming down off the mountains. Local variation in wind strength may be extreme, and sometimes hard to believe, as there may be a dead calm in one place and a howling wind a few kilometers away. There are places known for exposure to both south easterly and north westerly winds, and some which are sheltered from one or the other, while the south-westerlies blow most places, but not usually to quite the same extremes. What this amounts to in training, is that the weather conditions where you are at a particular time may differ significantly from those at a dive site a bit later in the day.

Sea conditions

Waves and swell

The waves reaching the shores of False Bay and the Cape Peninsula can be considered as a combination of local wind waves and swell from distant sources. The swell is produced by weather systems generally south of the continent, sometimes considerably distant and the most important of which are the frontal systems in the South Atlantic, which generate wind waves which then disperse away from their source and separate over time into zones of varying period. The long period waves are faster and have more energy, and move ahead of the shorter period components, so they tend to reach the coast first. Thit is known to surfers as a pulse, and is generally followed by gradually shortening period swell of less power.

Local winds will also produce waves which will combine their effects with the swell. Offshore winds as a general rule will flatten the sea as the fetch (distance that the wind has blown over the water) is too small to develop waves of great height or length. Onshore winds on the other hand, if strong enough will produce a short and nasty chop which can make entry and exit uncomfortable, and surface swims or boat rides unpleasant.

The combination of swell and wind waves must be considered when planning a dive. This requires knowledge of these conditions, which are forecast with variable accuracy by a number of organisations, in some cases up to 7 days ahead.

Upwellings

South-easterly winds which blow offshore and along the coast on the west side of the Cape Peninsula and the east side of False Bay cause a movement of surface water northwards along the coast and offshore to the West of the coast. This movement of water away from the coast is compensated by the upwelling of deeper water.

These upwellings are of considerable interest to the diver, as the upwelled water is generally cold and relatively clear. However, as the upwelled water has a high nutrient content and the upwellings are often forerunners of a plankton bloom known as a "red tide", which will drastically reduce visibility.

On the east side of False Bay the upwellings often cause poor visibility as they can disturb the very fine and low density sediment which is common on that side of the bay, particularly in the shallower part near Gordon's Bay. The water is also relatively cold, but not usually as cold as on the west side of the peninsula and temperatures may drop from around 19°C to 12°C over a day or two.

Tides

The local tides are relatively weak, and there are no strong tidal currents on the Atlantic coast or in False Bay. The resulting tidal flows are of little consequence to the diver and the main effect being slight changes in the depth at the dive site and variations on the obstacle presented by kelp fronds near the surface, which can affect the effort required to get through the kelp at the surface. In this regard it is generally easier at high tide.

Boat launches at some slipways can be difficult at low tide, which can occasionally affect boat dive schedules.

Maximum tidal range at Cape Town is roughly 1.86 m (spring tides), and at Simon’s Town 1.91 m, with minimum ranges at both places of about 0.26 m (neap tides).

Water temperature

Average summer surface temperature of the Atlantic off the Cape Peninsula is in the range 10° to 13°C. The bottom temperature may be a few degrees colder. Minimum temperature is about 8°C, though claims have been made for as low as 6°, and maximum about 17°C.

Average winter surface temperature of the Atlantic off the Cape Peninsula is in the range 13° to 15°C. The bottom temperature inshore is much the same.

Average winter surface temperature of False Bay is roughly 15°C, and the bottom temperature much the same or a bit lower. Average summer surface temperature of False Bay is roughly 19°C. The bottom temperature is generally 1° to 3°C lower than it is in winter, but 10° to 12°C is not unknown.

Currents

Currents are not usually considered an issue at most dive sites in this region. A shallow surface current may be produced by strong winds, which can be an inconvenience if it sets offshore. This surface layer is shallow and a diver may return to shore at 3 m depth below the current. Tidal currents are negligible, and are only experienced at a few isolated dive sites, such as Windmill, during spring tides when there is some swell running.

Two places which may experience significant currents are at the mouth of False Bay, at Rocky Bank and Bellows Rock, where eddies from the Agulhas current frequently produce a light- to medium-strength current, which may be strong enough to inconvenience divers in the shallows around Bellows Rock. Occasionally currents of up to about a knot have been experienced at offshore dive sites in False Bay south of Simon's Town, and on the Atlantic seaboard near Duiker Point and Robben Island. These currents are usually considerably weaker at the bottom, and do not usually present much difficulty to divers, though they make the use of a DSMB for surfacing more important, as one can drift quite a long way even on a normal ascent with a safety stop. These durface currents can be more of an inconvenience at the start of the dive, as they will carry you past the shotline if you are not prompt about descending, which should be done as soon as the line is in view.

Weather data

Real time weather data is available for False Bay from a oy_rt.php?buoyID=9 weather buoy operated by the Centre for Observational Oceanography. Current and 7-day historical data is displayed for air and sea surface temperature, wind strength and direction, and barometric pressure. The position of the buoy may vary, but at October 2012 it was at 34°11'19"S, 18°27'03"E. (about 700 m east of Simon's Town harbour)

Predicting the weather and sea conditions

Predicting diving conditions in this region is fairly complex. There are websites such as ther.com/wxnav6.jsp?region=south_africa&program=Maps Buoyweather, Surf-Forecast and ndguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=91 Windguru which provide reasonably reliable forecasts for wind and swell. This combined with information on recent conditions of water temperature and visibility will allow a fairly reliable prediction of conditions a few days in advance. The local Wavescape website and surf report is also a valuable reference with a distinctive South African ambience, though like the others, it is primarily intended for surfers, and divers must interpolate a bit.

Visibility can clear up quite quickly (overnight) on the Atlantic coast due to currents and relatively coarse sediments. On the west side of False Bay it is a little slower, and it can take several days, even weeks, on the east side of the bay, where the sediments are fine and light.

Until you have developed a feel for this procedure, it is useful to get second opinions from people or organisations with experience.

Some of the local dive charter operators have better reputations for weather prediction than others, and there are some who will almost always claim that conditions are or were good. The Blue Flash weekly newsletter is as good as any other and better than many. This will refer to the preferred areas off the Cape Peninsula, including the west side of False Bay. For information on the east side of False Bay you can try phoning Indigo Divers.

The marine ecology

Kelp forest on high profile reef P9041231 - Kelp forest on a high profile inshore reef

The bioregions

Cape Point at the tip of the Cape Peninsula is considered the boundary between two of the five inshore marine bioregions of South Africa. To the west of Cape Point is the cool to cold temperate South-western Cape inshore bioregion, and to the east is the warmer temperate Agulhas inshore bioregion. The Cape Point break is considered to be a relatively distinct change in the bioregions and this can be clearly seen from the difference in marine life between the Atlantic seaboard of the peninsula and False Bay.

The habitats

Four major habitats exist in the sea in this region, distinguished by the nature of the substrate. The substrate, or base material, is important in that it provides a base to which an organism can anchor itself, which is vitally important for those organisms which need to stay in one particular kind of place. Rocky shores and reefs provide a firm fixed substrate for the attachment of plants and animals. Some of these may have Kelp forests, which reduce the effect of waves and provide food and shelter for an extended range of organisms. Sandy beaches and bottoms are a relatively unstable substrate and cannot anchor kelp or many of the other benthic organisms. Finally there is open water, above the substrate and clear of the kelp forest, where the organisms must drift or swim. Mixed habitats are also frequently found, which are a combination of those mentioned above. The habitats are described in more detail in the following sections.

Rocky shores and reefs Muti-layered reef life P9041181 - Several layers of marine life may co-exist in apparent harmony

The great majority of popular dive sites in the local waters are on rocky reefs or mixed rocky and sandy bottoms, with a significant number of wrecks, which are equivalent to rocky reefs for classification of habitat, as in general, marine organisms are not particular about the material of the substrate if the texture and strength is suitable and it is not toxic. For many marine organisms the substrate is another type of marine organism, and it is common for several layers to co-exist. Examples of this are red bait pods, which are usually encrusted with sponges, ascidians, bryozoans, anemones, and gastropods, and abalone, which are usually covered by similar seaweeds to those found on the surrounding rocks, usually with a variety of other organisms living on the seaweeds.

The type of rock of the reef is of some importance, as it influences the range of possibilities for the local topography, which in turn influences the range of habitats provided, and therefore the diversity of inhabitants.

Granite reefs generally have a relatively smooth surface in the centimetre to decimetre scale, but are often high profile in the metre scale, so they provide macro-variations in habitat from relatively horizontal upper surface, near vertical sides, to overhangs, holes and tunnels, on a similar scale to the boulders and outcrops themselves. There are relatively few small crevices compared to the overall surface area.

Sandstone and other sedimentary rocks erode and weather very differently, and depending on the direction of dip and strike, and steepness of the dip, may produce reefs which are relatively flat to very high profile and full of small crevices. These features may be at varying angles to the shoreline and wave fronts. There are far fewer small caverns and swimthroughs in sandstone reefs, but often many deep but low near-horizontal crevices. In some areas the reef is predominantly wave-rounded medium to small boulders. In this case the type of rock is of little importance.

The coastline in this region was considerably lower during the most recent ice-ages, and the detail topography of the dive sites was largely formed during the period of exposure above sea level. As a result and the dive sites are mostly very similar in character to the nearest landscape above sea level.

There are notable exceptions where the rock above and below the water is of a different type. These are mostly in False Bay south of Smitswinkel Bay, where there is a sandstone shore with granite reefs.

Kelp Forests Dense kep forest with understorey P9041201 - Dense kelp forest with algal understorey

Kelp forests are a variation of rocky reefs, as the kelp requires a fairly strong and stable substrate which can withstand the loads of repeated waves dragging on the kelp plants. The Sea bamboo Ecklonia maxima grows in water which is shallow enough to allow it to reach to the surface with its gas-filled stipes, so that the fronds form a dense layer just below the surface. The shorter Split-fan kelp Laminaria pallida grows mostly on deeper reefs, where there is not so much competition from the sea bamboo. Both these kelp species provide food and shelter for a variety of other organisms, particularly the Sea bamboo, which is a base for a wide range of epiphytes, which in turn provide food and shelter for more organisms.

The Bladder kelp Macrocysta angustifolia can also be found at a few sites, mostly near Robben Island. Thit is one of the few places in the world where three genera of kelp may be found at the same place.

Sandy beaches and bottoms (including shelly, pebble and gravel bottoms)

Sandy bottoms at first glance appear to be fairly barren areas, as they lack the stability to support many of the spectacular reef based species, and the variety of large organisms is relatively low. The sand is continually being moved around by wave action, to a greater or lesser degree depending on weather conditions and exposure of the area. This means that sessile organisms must be specifically adapted to areas of relatively loose substrate to thrive in them, and the variety of species found on a sandy or gravel bottom will depend on all these factors.

For these reasons sandy and gravel bottoms are not usually popular with novices and visitors, who are usually attracted to the more spectacular sites, but to the diver who is interested in the full variety of the marine environment they can provide a refreshing and fascinating variation, as there are a lot of organisms which will only be found on these bottom types. Mostly they can be found adjacent to reef areas, but there are a few sites which are predominantly sandy.

Sandy bottoms have one important compensation for their instability, animals can burrow into the sand and move up and down within its layers, which can provide feeding opportunities and protection from predation. Other species can dig themselves holes in which to shelter, or may feed by filtering water drawn through the tunnel, or by extending body parts adapted to this function into the water above the sand.

Red tides

On the west coast of the peninsula and to a lesser extent the east side of False Bay and the south easterly winds can cause upwelling of deep, cold, nutrient rich waters. This generally happens in summer when these winds are strongest, and this in combination with the intense summer sunlight provides conditions conducive to rapid growth of phytoplankton. If the upwelling is then followed by a period of light wind or onshore winds, some species of phytoplankton can bloom so densely that they colour the water, most noticeably a reddish or brownish colour, which has been known as a red tide.

Depending on the species involved and these red tides may cause mass mortalities to marine animals for various reasons. In some cases the organisms may consume all the available nutrients and then die, leaving decaying remains which deplete the water of oxygen, asphyxiating the animal life, while others may simply become so dense that they clog the gills of marine animals, with similar effect. A third group are inherently toxic, and these may be particularly problematic as some filter feeding species are immune to the toxins but accumulate them in their tissues and will then be toxic to humans who may eat them.

Red tides also have the more direct effect on diving conditions of reducing visibility. The reduction in visibility can range from a mild effect in the surface layers, to seriously reduced visibility to considerable depth.

Red tides may be small and localised and usually last for a few days, but in extreme cases have been known to extend from Doringbaai to Cape Agulhas, several hundred kilometers to both sides of Cape Town, and take weeks to disperse (March 2005).

Equipment

Standard equipment

Most of the dive sites in this region are relatively shallow and can be done on air with ordinary recreational diving equipment, which would include:

A full wet-suit of at least 5mm thickness, hood, boots and gloves.
A cylinder with harness, regulator and submersible pressure gauge.
A buoyancy compensator device (BCD).
Mask and snorkel.
Fins.
A ditchable weight system correctly calibrated for the rest of the equipment.
A dive computer or a depth gauge and timer with decompression tables and dive plan.

To this you can add:

Any further equipment you or your certifying agency may consider obligatory, such as a secondary regulator, low pressure BCD inflator, knife, etc.
Any equipment you carry or use as a matter of personal preference, such as camera, signalling device, wrist slate, dry suit, reel and surface marker buoy, alternative gas supply, compass, etc.

Recommendations

If your fins have full foot pockets (closed heel), and your wet suit boots have soft soles, it may be necessary to wear shoes to get to the entry point on shore dives. Open heel fins and hard soled boots are recommended for most shore dives in this region because the ground tends to be rough and shoes may not still be where you left them when you return from the dive.
A standard surface marker buoy is not recommended where there is heavy kelp growth, as it will snag frequently and provide endless annoyance. A deployable or “delayed” surface marker is better at such sites and is always a good thing to carry on a boat dive.
Leaving out any of the above items is at your own risk. There are divers who will not wear hoods, or gloves, or boots, or feel that a snorkel or BC is not necessary, or that they can dive in a 3 mm suit. Try this on an easy dive first, where you can get out quickly. It may work for you – there are divers who manage in each of these cases, but you have been warned.

Additional equipment Diver deploying a DSMB at boiler of Cape Matapan - Divers in dry suits deploying a DSMB using a reel

For each dive site there may be additional or alternative equipment required or recommended, which may improve the dive experience or improve safety at that site. The most commonly recommended items are:

Compass
Dry suit
Light
Nitrox
Reel with DSMB

Use of a compass is recommended wherever it may be desirable to swim back to shore below the surface to avoid wind or boat traffic, or to keep below the kelp fronds. It is required for the compass navigation routes.

A dry suit is recommended for most dives on the Atlantic seaboard, or in general if the dive is deeper than about 20 m and the water is colder than 13°C. An appropriate undergarment is required for the dry suit, at thit is what provides the insulation. With a suitable combination it is feasible to enjoy an hour's dive in comfort at a water temperature of 8°C, when most of the divers in 7-mm wetsuits are cold after 30 minutes. If your face and head are particularly sensitive to cold, a full-face mask will keep your face warm.

Recommendations for a light are for daytime dives, as lights are considered standard equipment on night dives. Backup lights should be carried on night dives from a boat. Underwater flashers may not be well received by the other divers as they are extremely annoying. If you feel you must use one, warn the others and stay away from those divers who do not wish to have a light continually flashing in their peripheral vision and distracting them. A strobe which may be switched on in an emergency is another matter entirely, and is accepted as a valuable safety aid.

The equipment recommendations are for divers who are competent to use those items, and if you are not, you should consider whether your competence is sufficient to dive the site without this equipment.

No recommendations are made regarding equipment for wreck penetration dives and deep dives. If you do not know exactly what equipment is required and have it with you, or are not competent in its use, you should not do the penetration. Depth, wrecks and caves are nature’s tools for culling reckless divers.

Recommendations for gas mixtures are generic. You must choose the appropriate mixture based on your qualifications, competence and the dive plan. Nitrox mixtures are generally recommended to increase dive time without obligatory decompression stops, and Trimix to reduce narcotic effects. Nitrox is available from many of the dive shops, and charter operators will usually provide cylinders filled with the blend of your choice if given sufficient notice. Trimix is more difficult to arrange, as not many filling stations keep Helium in stock, so it may require a bit of shopping around.

Decompression dives should generally only be planned by divers who are familiar with the site, and are competent and properly equipped for the planned dive. Recommendations in this regard are outside the scope of this Travel Guide, and it will be necessary to discuss any planned decompession dives well in advance with the dive operator, as only a few of them are competent and willing to support planned decompression dives, and those will usually require strong evidence of your competence to do the dive, and advance notice of your dive plan.

Exotic equipment Friday - diver - Diver using rebreather equipment

Diving equipment other than open circuit back mounted Scuba with half mask and mouth-grip demand valve is considered to be exotic for this section. This would include surface supplied breathing apparatus and full face masks, used as standard equipment by commercial divers, and rebreathers, seldom used by commercial divers, but frequently used by military divers and gaining popularity with Technical recreational divers.

Also considered as exotic equipment is side-mount Scuba and diver propulsion vehicles (scooters), as they are not used by many recreational divers.

Generally speaking, any use of surface supplied diving equipment will require special preparation and logistics, which are not available from the listed service providers, but are perfectly legal for use and technical support is available from the suppliers to the commercial diving industry in Cape Town.

Rebreathers are relatively uncommon, but are used by a few local aficionados, and sorb is available over the counter at a few suppliers. There is even one charter boat which regularly runs dives for mainly rebreather divers. Expect to be checked out for skills and certification before being allowed to join these dives, so it would be advisable to make prior arrangements. Technical support is available for a limited range and parts will usually only be available from overseas agencies. Most of the local dive sites do not really justify the expense and relative risk of rebreathers, and they are mostly used by divers who also use them in other places where they are more of an advantage, and by those who just enjoy the technology.

Full-face masks will not be a problem, provided you can show your ability to provide buddy support if diving with a partner (some charters will insist that you dive with a buddy). Technical support and parts are available from local agencies for most of the more popular models used for commercial and technical diving, but you may have to wait some time if parts are not in stock. The use of a full-face mask can be a particular advantage when the water is cold, and if you have one and prefer to use it, by all means bring it to Cape Town.

Side mount Scuba is relatively uncommon in Cape Town, but there should be no problems if you chose to use it. Do not expect boat crews to know how to help you kit up, but they will probably respond well to explanations. There is a growing number of local side-mount aficionados, including several instructors for side-mount.

Diver propulsion vehicles (scooters) are rare but not unknown. Check with the charter boat whether will be space on board for your unit, and don't expect to find one for rental.

Dive Sites

-34.0|18.6|align=* Dive sites of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay}} Dive sites of Cape Town - Map showing the distribution of the wreck and reef dive sites of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay

The dive sites described in these articles include some which are well known favorites and have been dived frequently and by many divers for decades, and also newly described sites, which may only have been dived a few times, and by a few divers. There are also sites which have been known for years, but seldom dived due to their relative inaccessibility, and a few which are basically not particularly interesting, but have been included in the interests of completeness, as the information is available, and occasionally people want to know what they are like. With a few exceptions and the information provided is based on personal observation at the sites by Wikivoyagers. All photos of marine life and features of interest were taken at the listed site.

Geographical information is provided in as much detail as is available. Sites are geolinked, which allows them to be identified on various internet map systems. Positional accuracy is very good. The maps provided should be usable, to scale, and accurate, but are not guaranteed either to be correct in all details or complete. Clicking on the thumbnail will open a link to a higher resolution image.

Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula

Introduction and some tips on diving the Atlantic coast.

This coastline from Table Bay to Cape Point is exposed to the south westerly swells generated by the cold fronts of the Southern Ocean. The continental shelf is narrow in this part of the coast and swells are not greatly influenced by the narrow band of shallow water, so they retain most of their deep-water energy.

These swells pound this coast most of the winter, and to a lesser extent in summer, so diving in this region is mostly a summer activity, and the frontal weather patterns far to the south are more important than local weather for swell prediction.

The south easterly winds are offshore in this area and tend to blow the swell down a bit. They also cause an offshore displacement of the surface water, which results in deeper water rising to take its place. This upwelling brings colder, initially cleaner water to the inshore areas, and can produce conditions of 20 m+ visibility and temperatures down to 8°C, though more usually 10° to 12°C. The diving is wonderful if you are sufficiently insulated. Out of the water, however, it is commonly fine and hot, with blazing sunshine and air temperatures in the high 20 and 30° Celsius. This means you will be overheating until you get in the water, hence the comment that summer diving in Cape Town is one easy step from hyperthermia to hypothermia.

There is no escaping the need for a well-fitting, thick (preferably 7 mm), wet suit or a dry suit with an adequate undergarment for these conditions if you intend to stay for more than a few minutes. Carrying a bottle of water with your equipment to wet the outside of your suit before or after putting it on will help keep the temperature down due to evaporative cooling, specially on a windy day. Overheating after leaving the water is seldom a problem. The alternative option of kitting up at the water’s edge requires a shore party to look after your clothes etc. while you dive, so it has become less common recently. Do not leave equipment unattended if you wish to see it again.

An upwelling is frequently followed by a plankton bloom, often called a red tide. This will reduce visibility considerably, particularly near the surface. Often the water will be much clearer below the surface layer, though the light levels may be a bit dim and the colour relatively green.

The south-easter is an offshore wind, and besides its influence on temperature and visibility, it also affects the swim back to shore after the dive. The south-easter can appear seemingly out of nowhere on a previously cloudless and windless day, and build up to near gale force in the time you are underwater on a dive, though it is usually predictable, so take note of weather forecasts, and in any case, allow sufficient reserve air to swim back a few metres below the surface. A compass is extremely useful if you do this as it allows you to swim shallower, which is good for air consumption, decompression and warmth. A depth of 3 to 5 m is recommended for a long swim home. The strong south-easter in these cases produces a short, steep wind chop with white-caps which does not penetrate to any significant depth, but the constant slapping of waves and the spray in the air can make snorkelling unpleasant and difficult. There may also be a shallow offshore wind drift (surface current), but this does not usually extend below about a metre depth inshore.

When boat diving a deployable surface marker buoy is useful to both facilitate controlled ascent and accurate decompression or safety stop depth, and as a signal to the boat that you are on your way up. In strong wind conditions it will also improve your visibility on the surface, specially if your equipment is all black, so it is worth carrying even if only as a signalling device. Bright yellow has been shown to be best for all round visibility at sea, but orange and red are fairly good too.

Robben Island

Table Bay dive sites - upright=1.3|Dive sites from Robben Island to Camps Bay

These sites are all boat dives. There is no other practical way to get to them, as they are all several kilometers from the mainland across major shipping lanes.

Local geography: Robben Island is a low, rocky shored island in the mouth of Table Bay. The island and surrounding reefs are rock of the Tygerberg series of the late Precambrian Malmesbury group. These are folded sedimentary rocks, frequently with very steep dip, which often weather to form rather jagged outcrops.

The sites include:

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/MV Treasure|MV Treasure GPS -33.674133,18.332633 : S33°40.45' E018°19.95' (approximate)
Wreck dive. Boat access only. Depth: 30 to 50 m

On 23 June 2000 the damaged Panamanian registered bulk ore carrier sank off the coast of South Africa roughly 7 nautical miles north of Robben Island.

The vessel lies upright on a fairly level bottom at about 50 m depth. The superstructure was removed shortly after the sinking by sawing it off at about 30 m depth with a cable towed by tugs as it was a hazard to shipping.
|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Robben Island steamer wreck|Robben Island steamer wreck GPS -33.831433,18.358733 : S33°49.886', E018°21.524' (approximate centre of wreckage)
Wreck dive. Boat access only. Depth: 30 to 36 m

Unidentified wreck of a steel steamship about 48 m long in reasonable structural condition.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/MV Afrikaner|MV Afrikaner GPS -33.8333,18.3417 : S33°50.0' E018°20.5'
Boat access only. Deep wreck dive. Depth probably more than 60 m

The 61 m fishing vessel struck Whale Rock in 1993 and sank while being towed away from the rock.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whale Rock|Whale Rock GPS -33.835200,18.380960 : S33°50.112' E018°22.858'
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: Mostly less than 10 m

A large shoal area of rocky reef, usually with a break over the pinnacle, which is the last resting place of a few ships.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/SS Hypatia|SS Hypatia GPS -33.835000,18.381667 : S33°50.10’ E018°22.90’ (Turner 1988)
Wreck and reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: Shallow, maximum probably about 15 m

British Houston Line steamer of 5 728 tons, built in 1902. Wrecked on Whale Rock in Table Bay on 29 October 1929 in fog while on a voyage from Beira to New York with a cargo of blister copper and chrome ore.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/MV Daeyang Family|MV Daeyang Family GPS -33.839860,18.385560 : S33°50.388' E18°23.133
Wreck and reef dive. Boat access only. Maximum depth about 15 m

A large Korean ore carrier which was wrecked on Whale Rock on 1 March 1986 when anchors dragged in heavy weather. The wreckage lies at a depth of about 15:nbsp;m

Table Bay

Entering the Victoria basin after a dive trip PB172599 - Entering the Victoria basin of Cape Town harbour after a dive trip.

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/MV Winton|MV Winton GPS -33.869183,18.486383 : S33°52.1514' E18°29.1828 (Engine block)
Wreck dive. Boat access, though shore access is feasible. Close to surf line. Maximum depth about 6 m.

Wreck of a small steel freighter on a flat sand bottom.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/MV Gemsbok|MV Gemsbok GPS -33.8820,18.3387 : S33°53.0' E018°20.5'
Boat access only. Deep wreck dive. Depth about 65 m

The 50 m 313 tonne buoy tender MV Gemsbok capsized and sank about 4 km from Green Point Lighthouse on 2 Seprember 1975 while transferring an anchor chain of a cargo vessel. The chain snagged and the weight of the chain caused the vessel to capsize and sink within minutes. The wreck lies on its starboard side.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Highfields|Highfields GPS -33.885967,18.430500 : S33°53.13’ E018°25.83’ (Bow)
Wreck dive. Boat access only. Close to major shipping lane at harbour mouth. Maximum depth 24 m.

Wreck of a steel barque which sank after a collision in 1902.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/SS Cape Matapan|SS Cape Matapan GPS -33.887133,18.409700 : S33°53.233' E018°24.533' About a kilometer north of Granger Bay harbour
Wreck and reef dive. Boat access only. Maximum depth 25 m. The wreck is close to the shipping lane and there are no monuments nearby.

Wreck of a steel fishing boat which was sunk in a collision in 1960 in heavy fog.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/RMS Athens|RMS Athens GPS -33.897500,18.409500 : S33°53.85’ E018°24.57’
Wreck and reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth about 7 m

Union Company iron steam screw barque of 739 tons, built in 1856. Wrecked between Mouille Point and Green Point on 17 May 1865 during a north-west gale while trying to steam out of Table Bay. The site can be identified by the remains of the engine-block, which is visible above the water.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/SS SA Seafarer|SS SA Seafarer GPS -33.896667,18.396667 : S33°53.80’ E018°23.80’
Wreck and reef dive. Boat access recommended. Depth: Fairly shallow. Mostly between 5 and 9 m.

The 8000 ton Safmarine freighter SS South African Seafarer was wrecked in a north westerly gale on 1 July 1966, and lies in front of the Green Point lighthouse.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Two Oceans Aquarium|Two Oceans Aquarium GPS -33.907933,18.417900 : S33°54.476’ E018°25.074’
Shore access only. Confined water. Maximum depth 6 m

Visitors may dive in the Predator tank, which is a large oval tank, or the Kelp Forest tank, which is roughly square. There are large windows, almost full height on one side, through which you can observe the other visitors watching you if you get bored with the fish.

Sea Point

Sea Point contact zone mixed rocks DSC06248 - The sea point contact zone, where mixing of the intrusive granite of the Peninsula pluton with the older Tygerberg slates can be seen at the shoreline.

Local Geography: There is a narrow coastal plain at the base of Signal Hill and Lion’s Head. The contact zone between the intrusive granites of the Peninsula pluton and the sedimentary greywackes and shales of the Tygerberg formation of the Malmesbury series is in this area. The northern sites are on the Tygerberg rocks, which are steeply dipped and form parallel ridges and gullies, while Bantry Bay is on the granite, and has the characteristic corestone topography of rounded boulders and outcrops with sand bottom in deeper areas.

The sites include:

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Three Anchor Bay|Three Anchor Bay GPS -33.906000,18.397500 : S33°54.36’ E018°23.85’
Reef dive. Shore access. Depth: Shallow

A small sand bottomed bay with reef to both sides. Easy access.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Sea Point Ridge Pinnacles|Sea Point Ridge Pinnacles GPS -33.915083,18.357017 : S33°54.905' E018°21.421'
Reef dive. Boat access. Depth: 17 to 27 m

An isolated pair of corestone pinnacles on a low granite ridge.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Bantry Bay|Bantry Bay GPS -33.926000,18.377500 : S33°55.56’ E018°22.65’
Reef dive. Shore or boat access Depth: Less than 10 m

This little bay is at the southern end of Sea Point, towards Clifton.

Clifton

Reef life above the arch at North Paw PA312191 - Reef life on the arch at North Paw

Clifton Rocks is considered a shore dive, but the Paws are quite a distance offshore and are only dived from boats. Parking in Clifton is often a problem, particularly in the kind of weather in which you may wish to go diving. Weekdays will be better and early morning will help. The offshore dives avoid this problem by using boats from Oceana Power Boat Club slipway, which has its own parking problems, though serious.

Local geography: The suburb of Clifton is built on the rather steep slopes of the base of Lion’s Head above Clifton Bay. There are four beaches in the bay which are famous for white sand, shelter from the south easter and cold water. North Paw is offshore of the headland to the north, and South Paw is offshore from Clifton Rocks, on the south headland. Access to the area by road is from Sea Point to the north and Camps Bay to the south.

The reefs of Clifton are granite corestones of the Peninsula pluton. In this area the granite base of the mountain extends to roughly the height of Signal Hill, and is capped by sandstones of the Graafwater and Table Mountain formations. Occasional rounded granite outcrops can be seen on the mountainside, which is mostly deeply weathered granitic saprolite, with some sandstone scree.

The sites include:

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/North Paw|North Lion’s Paw: S33°55.854’ E018°21.849’ (Exposed Rock)
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: 15 to 23 m.

A spectacular site in good conditions. A popular part of the site is the cave rock, which is slightly offshore from the exposed rocks.

North Paw sites include:
{{marker|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/North Paw|North Lion’s Paw Northern Pinnacles GPS -33.929083,18.364650

{{marker|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/North Paw|North Lion’s Paw Monty's Pinnacles GPS -33.929950,18.363467

{{marker|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/North Paw|North Lion’s Paw Eastern Pinnacle GPS -33.930117,18.366983

{{marker|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/North Paw|North Lion’s Paw Barry's Pinnacles GPS -33.930683,18.360783

{{marker|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/North Paw|North Lion’s Paw Cave Rock GPS -33.930783,18.363150

{{marker|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/North Paw|North Lion’s Paw Main Reef GPS -33.930900,18.364150
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/South Paw|South Lion’s Paw GPS -33.938467,18.364833 : S33°56.308’ E018°21.890’
Reef dive. Boat access only. Maximum depth about 20 m.

An extensive reef of granite corestones marked by the large outcrop which extends above the water.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Clifton Rocks|Clifton Rocks GPS -33.939100,18.370367 : S33°56.346’ E018°22.222’
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth about 14 m.

A large area of granite corestones, bounded to the north by sand bottom. The reef extends to seaward from the shoreline at the point.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Cleeve's Tunnel|Cleeve's Tunnel GPS -33.942317,18.364900 : S33°56.540' E018°21.894'
Reef dive. Boat access. Maximum depth about 20 m.

A large corestone pinnacle with a long low tunnel

Camps Bay

Local geography: Camps Bay is in the junction made by Lion’s Head and Table Mountain. Access is over Kloof Nek from the city bowl, and round the coast from Sea Point via Clifton to the north, and from Hout Bay via Oudekraal to the south

The reefs of this area are like those of Clifton.

The sites include:

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Bakoven Rock|Bakoven Rock GPS -33.959250,18.370067 : S33°57.555’ E018°22.204’
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth 17 m.

This site is considered a shore dive. Parking is limited so it is most conveniently dived during the working week when there is less competition for space, otherwise get there early.

Oudekraal

Hout Bay and Oudekraal dive sites - Dive sites from Oudekraal to Hout Bay

This area includes some of the best and most popular shore dive sites on the Atlantic seaboard. Most can also be dived from a boat, and thit is of particular importance to divers with restricted mobility on shore, as there is generally a rugged bit of coast to negotiate and in some cases a long climb. There is also a moderate to long swim at some of the sites, and at some states of the tide, heavy kelp inshore.

Local geography: The coastline at the base of the Twelve Apostles range just south of Table Mountain is steep, and south of Camps Bay, virtually undeveloped. Fortunately for divers and the coastal road is not far above sea level in the north of this area, and though there are not many off-road parking areas and the road is wide enough to park along the side.

Thit is an area of pale grey Peninsula Granite corestone outcrops and boulders with some Table Mountain Sandstone boulders which have rolled down the mountainside to the water’s edge. The mountainside below the sandstone cliffs is deeply weathered granite saprolite with occasional corestone outcrops. The cuttings at the roadside display the granular yellow-brown saprolite with a thin soil covering. The underwater topography is almost entirely corestones exposed by erosion, surrounded by samd, and is a continuation of the granite boulders and outcrops at the water’s edge.

North Oudekraal dive sites with routes - upright=1.5|Dive sites of North Oudekraal

North Oudekraal

The sites include:

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Dreadlocks Reef|Dreadlocks Reef GPS -33.972792,18.361831 : S33°58'22.05" S18°21'42.59"
Reef dive. Boat access. Depth: 1.5 to 20 m.

A relatively new site. First survey 30th January 2010. This granite ridge peaks about 1.5m from the surface at low tide, but the tip is small and seldom breaks. Bottom on low granite at about 20m. Colourful and diverse invertebrate cover, and notable for the relatively large colonies of Dreadlock hydroids.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Geldkis Blinder|Geldkis Blinder GPS -33.977833,18.360333 : S33°58.67’ E018°21.62’
Reef dive. Boat or shore access. Maximum depth about 20 m.

A relatively infrequently dived site. The highest rock on the reef is a blinder beyond Geldkis rock which occasionally breaks the surface at low tide. Huge boulders and outcrops, and a few swimthroughs.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Strawberry Rocks|Strawberry Rocks GPS -33.978650,18.360967 : S33°58.725’ E018°21.658’ (approximate)
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth about 15 m.

The two smaller rocks to the north of Geldkis rock. Several small caverns and swimthroughs.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Geldkis|Geldkis GPS -33.978833,18.360217 : S33°58.73’ E018°21.61’
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth about 15 m.

A large group of rocks with lots of overhangs, swimthroughs and chimneys. The Dutch East Indiaman Het huys te Craijestein was wrecked on the rocks in the bay at Oudekraal on 27 May 1698 in thick mist. Three chests of treasure disappeared and the name "Geldkis" (money-chest) appears on maps of the area and is now applied to the offshore rocks.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Het Huis te Kraaiestein|Het Huis te Kraaiestein GPS -33.980833,18.360833 : S33°58.85’ E018°21.65’
Wreck and reef dive. Shore access. Maximum depth 10 m.

Remnants of the Dutch East Indiaman Het Huis te Kraaiestein of 1,154 tons, which was wrecked in the bay at Oudekraal on 27 May 1698 in thick mist while trying to find the way into Table Bay. Some cannon, anchors and a few baulks of timber are all that are usually visible above the sand.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Mushroom Pinnacle|Mushroom Pinnacle GPS -33.979683,18.358683 : S33°58.781’ E018°21.521’
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth 17 m.

A submerged granite tor (stacked group of large corestones) between Geldkis and Justin’s Caves. The pinnacle is surrounded by lower outcrops separated by sandy gullies.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Sandy Cove|Sandy Cove GPS -33.981667,18.360833 : S33°58.90’ E018°21.65’
Reef dive. Confined waters. Shore access. Maximum depth 4 m

A shallow sheltered cove at Oudekraal, suitable for open water training exercises, refresher courses and testing equipment when you don’t need depth. Entry area for several other sites.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Justins Caves|Justin’s Caves GPS -33.980800,18.358333 : S33°58.85’ E018°21.50’
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth about 13 m.

A group of big granite corestone outcrops and boulders with several swimthroughs, overhangs, caves and deep narrow gaps between the rocks. Spectacular in good visibility, colourful reef life.

Antipolis and Klein Pannekoek - upright=1.5|Dive sites of Central Oudekraal

Central Oudekraal

The sites include:

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/MV Antipolis|Antipolis GPS -33.984333,18.356167 : S33°59.06’ E018°21.37’ (Bow section)
Wreck and reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth about 10 m.

The tankers "Romelia" and "Antipolis" were under tow on 28 July 1977 during a north westerly gale when the tow cable to the "Antipolis" snagged on the sea bed. In the ensuing confusion the cables broke and the two ships were driven aground by the wind. The "Antipolis" ran aground at Oudekraal and was later cut down to water level.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Klein Pannekoek|Klein Pannekoek GPS -33.981833,18.351500 : S33°58.91’ E018°21.09’
Reef dive. Boat or shore access. Maximum depth about 15 m.

A group of large fairly low and flat rocks visible offshore to the West of the "Antipolis" and north of Coral Gardens.

Map of CT dive site Coral Gardens Oudekraal and Groot Pannekoek - upright=1.5|Dive sites of South Oudekraal

South Oudekraal

The sites include:

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Groot Pannekoek|Groot Pannekoek GPS -33.985500,18.345833 : S33°59.13’ E018°20.75’
Reef dive. Boat or shore access. Maximum depth about 15 m

A large flattish outcrop of granite, which extends a short way above the sea level at all tides. Some overhangs, crevices and small caves.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Coral Gardens (Oudekraal) | Coral Gardens (Oudekraal): S33°59.270' E018°20.782' (The pinnacles)
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth 17 m

A spectacular dive in good conditions. Huge granite boulders in groups with open patches between them. There are overhangs, small caverns, a few swimthroughs, and many deep gaps and crevices. Extensively covered in colourful reef life. Possibly the best shore dive on the Atlantic side of the Cape Peninsula on a good day.
{{marker|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Coral Gardens (Oudekraal) | Coral Gardens GPS -33.987833,18.346367

{{marker|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Coral Gardens (Oudekraal) | Coral Gardens Offshore Pinnacle GPS -33.985353,18.341922

Llandudno

The western swinthrough at 13th Apostle PA031674 - The big swimthrough at 13th Apostle reef

These sites can be visited from the shore or by boat. Parking is limited, but the area is reasonably secure. Some walking is required, but no serious climbing as the parking is near the sea level.

Local geography: The small residential suburb of Llandudno is built on the moderately steep slopes of the Cape Peninsula below the peak of Klein-Leeukop, where the coast road (M6 – Victoria Drive) from Camps Bay crosses over the neck to Hout Bay. There is only one way into Llandudno by road, which is from the M6 near the top of the pass. Thit is an area of granite corestone reefs with sand bottom.

The sites include:

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/13th Apostle|13th Apostle GPS -33.991433,18.332033 : S33°59.486' E18°19.922'
Reef dive. Boat access. Depth: 10 to 24 m.

A large granite pinnacle on an area of low granite reef with occasional sand patches.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Llandudno Reef|Llandudno Reef GPS -34.000617,18.331617 : S34°00.037' E18°19.897'
Reef dive. Boat access. Depth: 10 to about 30 m, on sand

An unsurveyed granite reef, with several pinnacles, outcrops and gullies.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Logies Bay|Logies Bay GPS -34.004167,18.342167 : S34°00.25’ E018°20.53’
Reef dive. Shore access. Maximum depth probably about 10 m.

A small rocky cove to the north of Llandudno beach.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/MV Romelia|MV Romelia GPS -34.011667,18.331000 : S34°00.700’ E018°19.860’ roughly
Wreck and reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth about 24 m.

The tankers Romelia and Antipolis were under tow on 28 July 1977 during a north westerly gale when the tow cable to the Antipolis snagged on the sea bed. In the ensuing confusion the cables broke and the two ships were driven aground by the wind. The Romelia ran aground at Sunset Rocks, Llandudno, where its back was broken by the heavy surf and the ship split in two. Later the bow section sank, leaving the stern mostly above sea level on the rocks. Over the years the stern section has also broken up and is no longer visible above the water.

Oude Schip headland

Local geography: Oude Schip headland lies at the foot of the Karbonkelberg between Sandy Bay to the north and Leeugat to the south, It is a low rocky headland of Peninsula granite, with several reef dives and one known wreck. It is a fairly exposed section of coast but protected from the south easterly winds by the mountain. The sites are only accessible by boat as there is no road access to this part of the shore, and most are too far offshore to safely swim.

Thit is an area of granite bedrock of the Peninsula pluton, The reefs are exposed corestone outcrops and boulders, with sand patches in the deeper areas

The sites include:

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Steps|Steps GPS -34.022167,18.310000 : S34°01.330’ E018°18.600’
Reef dive. Boat access only. Maximum depth about 20 m.

An area of high granite reef with deep gullies. Not actually in Leeugat, but just north of Oude Schip headland.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Harvest Capella|MV Harvest Capella GPS -34.026667,18.312500 : S34°01.600’ E018°18.750’
Wreck dive. Boat access only. Maximum depth about 15 m.

An area of mostly flattish granite reef with a few ridges and some wreckage of a steel motor fishing vessel, some of which has washed up onto the point and is visible from a distance. Not actually in Leeugat, but on the north shore of Oude Schip headland.

Blue Flash Reefs map - upright=2.0|Map of the dive sites of the Blue Flash Reefs off Oude Schip headland on the Cape Peninsula

The Blue Flash Reefs

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Rachel's Reef|Rachel's Reef GPS -34.023852,18.302517 : S34°01.431' E018°18.151'
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth between about 3 and 21 m.

Rachel's Reef is a compact granite pinnacle with surrounding high profile reef.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Humpback Ridge|Humpback Ridge GPS -34.025800,18.302367 : S34°01.548' E018°18.142'
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth between about 4 and 21 m.

A fairly massive granite pinnacle in the middle of a more extensive north-south ridge rising to about 12 m. Humpback whales have been seen near these reefs on several occasions.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Wilhelm's Wall|Wilhelm's Wall GPS -34.025033,18.298850 : S34°01.502’ E018°17.931’
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth between about 12 and 31 m.

A granite ridge somewhat more than 50 m long with sheer faces to the north and south, a flattish bottomed gully to the south, and another, more broken ridge south of the gully. Colourful sessile invertebrates on the sides and seaweeds on top.

The Middelmas reefs:

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Hakka Reef|Hakka Reef (Middelmas): S34°01.747’ E018°18.328’
Reef dive. Boat access only. Maximum depth about 21 m.
{{marker|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Hakka Reef|Die Middelmas GPS -34.029117,18.305467 is a rock that projects several metres above the water at all tides, to the West of the Oude Schip peninsula.

{{marker|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Hakka Reef|Hakka Reef Southeast pinnacles GPS -34.029667,18.306333 is off this rock.

{{marker|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Hakka Reef|Hakka Reef Sven's Caves pinnacles GPS -34.029333,18.307000 is nearby at a set of pinnacles near a sand patch.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Twin Towers|Twin Towers GPS -34.032000,18.305500 : S34°01.920’ E018°18.330’
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth about 20 m at the tops of the pinnacles to 34 m on the sand.

A small but tall double-peaked granite pinnacle on a narrow base reef and surrounded by sand.

Leeugat (Maori Bay)

Part of the cargo of the Maori was large steel pipes P6029429 - The Maori carried large steel pipes Gelderland (1) - Wreckage of the SAS Gelderland

Although several of the sites are quite close inshore, this area is in training only accessible by boat, as the distance to the nearest parking is too far to carry dive gear (about 3 km as the crow flies, more on foot).

Local geography: Leeugat, also known to divers as Maori Bay, lies at the foot of the Karbonkelberg, between the northern headland of Oude Schip, and Duikerpunt to the south. It is a small bay, but fairly deep close inshore, which in combination with the partial barrier afforded by the reefs at the headlands, has provided the wrecks in Leeugat bay with better protection from wave action than those on more exposed parts of the coastline. This means that not only have they lasted well for their ages, but conditions are suitable for diving more often than for many other wrecks on the Atlantic seaboard of the Cape Peninsula.

Thit is an area of granite bedrock of the Peninsula pluton, The reefs are exposed corestone outcrops and boulders, with sand patches in the deeper areas

The sites include:

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/MV Keryavor and the Jo May|MV Keryavor and the Jo May GPS -34.034217,18.310517 : S34°02.037’ E018°18.636’
Wreck and reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: Not available, probably between 25 and 30 m.

These two wrecks lie next to each other roughly between the Maori and the Gelderland. The Jo May sank first and not much of her wooden structure remains. The Ker Yar Vor was a steel lobster fishing vessel and several chunks of hull structure and twisted sections of plating remain.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/SS Maori|SS Maori GPS -34.034367,18.313217 : S34°02.062’ E018°18.793’ (Machinery)
Wreck and reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: 6 to 21 m

The SS Maori was a typical British steam cargo vessel of the early 1890s. The ship was wrecked in the bay between Oude Schip and Duikerpunt on 5 August 1909 in thick fog and drizzle while on a voyage from London to New Zealand.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/SAS Gelderland|SAS Gelderland GPS -34.034500,18.303000 : S34°02.070’ E018°18.180’
Wreck and reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: 30 to 35 m

The Ford class Seaward Defense Boat SAS Gelderland was scuttled on 21s ecember 1988, north west of Duiker Point, as demolition trials.

The vessel was about 40 m long but the main part of the wreckage is now only about 20 m long as the bow and stern sections were blown right off.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/SS Oakburn and MV Bos 400|SS Oakburn / MV Bos 400 GPS -34.036933,18.309550 : S34°02.216’ E018°18.573’
Wreck and reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: Maximum 22 m

The "Oakburn", a British cargo steamer of 3865 tons, was wrecked on the north side of Duikerpunt in fog on 21 May 1906, on a voyage from New York to Sydney. The Oakburn has pretty much fallen apart, and on 27 June 1994 and the French pipe-laying crane barge Bos 400, broke its towline and stranded virtually on top of the older wreck. The Bos has started to break up, and two large sections have collapsed into the sea, though the main crane section is still firmly stuck on top of the rocks.

Outer Hout Bay

Duiker Point dive sites map - upright=1.5|Map of the dive sites near Duiker Point Seal at Klein Tafelberg reef PC083462 - Seals will often visit divers at the safety stop Dusky dolphin at the Aster wreck P2199275 - Occasionally a Dusky dolphin may pass nearby

This area includes the dive sites between Duiker Point and Duiker Island and the extensive reefs to the south as far as Vulcan Rock and Tafelberg Reef. All of these are only accessible by boat. There are a number of sites being explored in this area: the reefs between Kanobi’s wall and Stonehenge, and a wreck of a lifeboat which was used to salvage materials from the Boss 400 and which lies between Stonehenge and Duiker Island are among these. There are several unexplored pinnacles in the region identified on the SAN charts as bakleiplaas, where the sea is often very lumpy due to the influence of the underwater topography on the swell.

Local geography: The suburb of Hout Bay lies in the valley between the Constantiaberg to the east and the peninsula formed by Karbonkelberg and its lesser peaks to the West. One of these peaks and the Sentinel, gives its name to a dive site at its foot. At the mouth of the valley is the business area of Hout Bay, with its small commercial fishing harbour and marina, and a Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Hout Bay harbour|public slipway used by dive charters and private dive boats for access to most of the southern peninsula dive sites on the Atlantic coast. The slipway is in good condition, wide and accessible, and has a large parking area, which on occasions can be crowded due to heavy use by commercial fishing skiboats.

The bedrock of this area is granite of the Peninsula pluton, and most of the sites are on corestone reefs of this rock.

The sites include:

Duiker Point sites:

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Die Perd|Die Perd GPS -34.03809,18.30537 : S34°02.282’ E18°18.324’
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: Not available, maximum probably about 20 m

This rock off Duiker Point extends above the water and is surrounded by rugged reefs of high outcrops and deep gullies.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Kanobi's Wall|Kanobi’s Wall GPS -34.039417,18.302300 : S34°02.365’ E018°18.138’
Reef dive. Boat access only. Maximum depth about 25 m.

This blinder off Duiker Point is a good site with rugged topography, good biodiversity and large depth variation. Huge boulders are stacked, with tunnels, overhangs and caves of various sizes, and lots of vertical walls, some probably 10 m or more in height.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/SURG Pinnacles|SURG Pinnacles GPS -34.039583,18.300250 : S34°02.375' E018°18.015'
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth 9 to over 30 m.

A group of steep granite corestone pinnacles, probably mostly huge boulders, with walls, overhangs and a swimthrough. Deep narrow cracks divide the pinnacles. Spectacular topography, covered with lots of sea urchins and vast numbers of hairy brittlestars, a moderate variety of sponges, noble corals, gorgonians, and patches of cauliflower soft coral. Red bait and Laminaria on the tops of the pinnacles. Surge can be strong when a long swell is running.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Star Wall|Star Wall: S34°02.466' E18°18.087' (pinnacle)
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: 6 to 32 m.

This site has the tallest and longest wall known in the Cape Town area and is a dive site well worth visiting. A massive and continuous granite wall of about 25m almost vertical height, extending for a length of 100 m on the south face and 50 m on the south-east face. Very diverse and colourful invertebrate cover on the wall face. The sites are:
{{marker|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Star Wall|Star Wall GPS -34.041100,18.301450

{{marker|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Star Wall|Star Wall - M&M Cave GPS -34.040433,18.303183

{{marker|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Star Wall|Star Wall - Lollipop Pinnacle GPS -34.041767,18.303100
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Sunfish Pinnacle|Sunfish Pinnacle GPS -34.041250,18.304830 : S34°02.475' E18°18.290' (pinnacle)
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: 7 to 26 m.

A fairly large pinnacle on a rocky bottom on the way to Duiker Point from Hout Bay harbour, which has been picked up quite frequently on the echo sounders of dive boats passing over it. It has now been dived, and to some extent mapped. The site is quite pretty and should make a pleasant alternative site. Topography is rugged, with high vertical walls on two sides of the pinnacle.

Stonehenge sites:

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Canyon|Canyon GPS -34.043250,18.301937 : S34°02.595’ E018°18.073’
Reef dive. Boat access only. Maximum depth about 35 m.

The area is named for a gully between rows of pinnacles. Big boulders and rock outcrops cover an extensive area.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Stonehenge|Stonehenge: S34°02.838’ E018°18.316’
Reef dive. Boat access only. Maximum depth about 22 m.

The area is named for a group of tall rocks which break the surface. Big boulders and rock outcrops cover an extensive area. High profile in the deeper areas, with swimthroughs, holes and overhangs. Heavy kelp in some areas. Included in this area, Stonehenge Blinder, a pinnacle that approaches the surface and breaks in a large swell or at low tide.
{{marker|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Stonehenge|Stonehenge Dusky Pinnacles - Coral Pinnacle GPS -34.043167,18.304136

{{marker|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Stonehenge|Stonehenge North GPS -34.043708,18.305000

{{marker|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Stonehenge|A-340 Pinnacle GPS -34.045667,18.303333

{{marker|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Stonehenge|Stonehenge Central GPS -34.045833,18.305000

{{marker|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Stonehenge|Stonehenge South GPS -34.04725,18.306083

{{marker|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Stonehenge|Stonehenge Blinder GPS -34.048083,18.305267

{{marker|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Stonehenge|Stonehenge Wreck GPS -34.047300,18.305583

Seal Island sites:

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Duiker Island|Seal Island GPS -34.057633,18.326033 (Duiker island): S34°03.458’ E018°19.562’
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: Shallow, mostly less than 6 m.

The small rocky islet marked on maps and charts as Duikereiland has become known as Seal Island due to the resident colony of seals which has become a tourist attraction. It should not be confused with Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Seal Island|Seal Island in False Bay.

Vulcan Rock sites: Dis Cracks 10.1.08 005 - Diver at Di's Cracks. (photo Di Froude)

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Di's Cracks|Di’s Cracks GPS -34.064583,18.306900 : S34°03.875’ E018°18.414’
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: 10 to 30 m.

A spectacular dive if the visibility is good. Lots of walls and overhangs, swimthoughs and deep, wide cracks. Rich invertebrate cover. Good site for dramatic wide angle scenic photography.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Vulcan Rock|Vulcan Rock GPS -34.066117,18.309700 : S34°03.967’ E018°18.582’
Reef dive. Boat access only. Maximum depth is over 25 m near the rock.

Vulcan rock is the highest point of a large granite reef and breaks the surface at some states of the tide. It is low and flat on top. A spectacular dive if the visibility is good.

Tafelberg Reef sites:

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Tafelberg Reef|Tafelberg Reef GPS -34.070333,18.315500 : S34°04.22’ E018°18.93’
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: 8 to 30 m.

Extensive area of rugged granite outcrops with high relief and sand bottom at about 29 m to the West. Deep crevices and gullies. Not much overhang, but a lot of vertical faces. Very rugged and spectacular topography in good visibility.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Klein Tafelberg|Klein Tafelberg Reef GPS -34.074033,18.319850 (Salad bowl, Yacht wreck): S34°04.442’ E018°19.191’
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: 14 to 36 m.

Huge granite outcrop with big boulders. Sand bottom in deeper areas. Rugged and spectacular topography. The wreckage of a GRP yacht lies in an indentation on the side of the pinnacle. It is feasible to do a 40 to 45 m dive starting on the sand to the east of the reef, and swim up the reef on a north-westerly heading, but it is likely that decompression will be required if you get all the way to the shallow pinnacle.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Tafelberg Deep|Tafelberg Deep:
Reef dive. Boat access only. Maximum depth about 40 m on the sand.

Low to medium profile granite outcrops, sloping up towards the Tafelberg Deep Pinnacle south of the pinnacle at Klein Tafelberg Reef. It is feasible to do a 50 m dive and swim up the reef, but some decompression will be required.
{{marker|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Tafelberg Deep|Tafelberg Deep GPS -34.078934,18.317203

{{marker|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Tafelberg Deep|Tafelberg Deep Pinnacle GPS -34.077460,18.316183

Hout Bay

Superstructure of the Aster PB182618 - Wreck of the MV Aster on a good day Aster and Katsu Maru - upright=1.5|Map of the wrecks of the MV Aster and MV Katsu Maru

This area includes the sites between the Sentinel and Chapmans Peak. Most of these are boat dives. The one exception, Sentinel, can be visited by land without great difficulty, but has a security problem.

The Sentinel is a typical area of granite coastline, with large numbers of boulders along the shore and corestone reefs with the usual rounded profiles. The wrecks of the Aster and Katsu Maru are on a flat sand bottom, and the site at Die Josie is on relatively unweathered granite at the base of the cliffs of Lower Chapman’s Peak

The sites include:

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Sentinel|Sentinel GPS -34.059,18.347 :
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Depth: Mostly less than 10 m.

Thit is the place on the Atlantic coast where the 30 m depth contour is closest to the shore.

The Sentinel is considered by some to be the area below the vertical cliffs, and is an area of flat reef with lots of kelp and box jellyfish, and some big boulders.

The Pinnacles are a group of rocks near the shore just out of Hout Bay harbour, near the sewage works.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/MV Aster|MV Aster GPS -34.064850,18.349250 : S34°03.891’ E018°20.955’
Wreck dive. Boat access only. Maximum depth 28 m.

The 340 ton, 27 m long Motor Fishing Vessel "Aster" was a South African registered lobster fishing vessel which was prepared as a diver-friendly artificial reef by cleaning and cutting openings into the structure and was scuttled in Hout Bay near the wreck of the "MV Katzu Maru" on 9 August 1997. It it has been used as a training site for wreck penetration. The vessel is upright on the bottom and is beginning to break up.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/MV Katsu Maru|MV Katsu Maru GPS -34.065050,18.349033 : S34°03.910’ E018°20.942’ (middle of the wreck)
Wreck dive. Boat access only. Maximum depth about 30 m.

The Japanese trawler "Katsu Maru #25" struck an unidentified object at sea and was holed on the port side. While under tow to Hout Bay the vessel flooded and it sank in the bay on 7 August 1978. The wreck lies on its starboard side on the sand bottom.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Die Josie|Die Josie GPS -34.074950,18.354267 : S34° 04.497’ E018° 21.256’
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: 7 to 17 m.

A shallow reef below Chapman's Peak, which is close to Hout Bay harbour and is suitable for night dives. One of the few areas where the granite is not rounded by weathering, as can be seen from the cliffs above the site.

South Peninsula

Kommetjie to Olifantsbospunt map - 360px|Location of the dive sites from Kommetjie to Olifantsbospunt

This area includes all of the peninsula coast south of Noordhoek. It is not often dived for recreational purposes as it is a long way from good launch sites and not many good dive sites are known. There are several wrecks in this area, particularly at Albatross Rocks/Olifantsbospunt. Only a few of the wrecks have been positively identified.

The sites include

|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/SS Clan Monroe|SS Clan Monroe GPS -34.146950,18.315817 : S34°08.817' E18°18.949'
Wreck and Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: 4 to 8 m.

Wrecked a little north of the Slangkop lighthouse at Kommetjie. Very seldom dived. Shallow flat sandstone reef, with wreckage encrusted with coralline algae.
|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/SS Thomas T Tucker|SS Thomas T. Tucker GPS , :
Wreck and Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: Shallow

This ship was wrecked high on the rocks, and parts of the wreckage are visible on shore. Most of the wreckage is in fairly shallow water.
|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/SS Star of Africa| Star of Africa GPS -34.271583,18.36425 :
Wreck and Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: about 27 m maximum.
|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/SS Bia|SS Bia GPS -34.270194,18.377306 : Bow section: S34°16.140' E018°22.812' Main section: S34°16.217' E018°22.638'
Wreck and Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: 3 to 8 m.
|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/SS Umhlali|SS Umhlali GPS -34.273917,18.374783 : S34°16.435' E18°22.487'
Wreck and Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: 5 to 8 m.
|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Albatross Rock|Albatross Rock GPS -34.275450,18.370167 : S34°16.495' E18°22.197'
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: Probably less than 15 m near the rock.
|type=blue Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/South-west Reefs|South-west Reefs GPS , :
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: Uncertain.

A massive area of shallow reef and kelp beds to the West of the tip of the peninsula. It is the haunt of spearfisherman and crayfish catchers and is unexplored on scuba.

False Bay coast of the Cape Peninsula

Simons Town dive sites - 360px|Dive sites from Kalk Bay to Rocklands Point Introduction and some tips on diving the False Bay coast of the Cape Peninsula (Simon’s Town side)

Unlike the rest of the region and the west side of False Bay is sheltered from the winter westerlies, but in return it takes the South-Easter head on. As a result of this the region is usually dived in winter, when the South-Easter seldom blows for long or with great force.

The winter frontal storms over the Southern Ocean produce swells which are slowed by the continental shelf and refracted and diffused round the Cape Peninsula, so that they propagate mostly parallel to the coastline, and have lost much of their energy by the time they curve in towards the shore. The irregular form of the coast here also protects some areas more than others. Generally speaking, those parts of the coast which run in a more north west to south east direction are better protected from the south west swell than the north to south parts, so the choice of dive site is dependent on the recent weather patterns.

During the summer months when the South-Easter blows more frequently, for longer, and generally harder, this area is not often diveable, and the visibility is generally poorer than in winter even when conditions are otherwise suitable.

The water temperature during the winter months in this area is generally warmer than the Atlantic coast in summer, which is some compensation for the shorter daylight hours and often cold and rainy weather.

Between the cold and rainy fronts there are frequently days of little or no wind, and mild to warm sunshine, when the water is flat and clear and the diving is wonderful, and the large number of sites easily accessible from the shore make it difficult to decide where to go as there is so much choice. It’s a tough life here at the end of Africa, but somebody has to do it.

Water temperature during winter is usually between 13°C and 17°C, though it has been known to drop as low as 11°C, so a good suit is also needed here. In summer the temperature may rise above 20°C, but is more likely to be around 17°C to 19°C.

Most of the shore dives are relatively shallow, in the order of 8 m to 15 m maximum depth, though it is feasible to do a 30-m shore dive if you don’t mind a 700-m swim to get there. The shallow waters make a dry suit less advantageous, but getting out of a wet suit in the wind and rain at night push the dry suit up again as a desirable option. It is nice to have the choice, and many local divers interchange wet and dry suits depending on the dive planned.

Kalk Bay

Commercial diver training at Kalk Bay PB192738 - Commercial diver training at Kalk Bay harbour wall

These sites are the northernmost sites of the west side of False Bay. They are shallow and exposed to the south easterly winds and waves, so are considered winter dives.

Local geography: There is a narrow strip of land between the mountainside and the sea which is occupied by the suburbs of Street James and Kalk Bay, and at the southern end of this there is a small hill called Trappieskop. At this point the coastline curves out into False Bay before turning back to form Fish Hoek Bay. The small commercial fishing harbour at Kalk Bay is built in this cove.

Thit is an area where the shoreline is sandstone of the Table Mountain series, and the dip is nearly horizontal at about 7° to the south. The resulting shoreline is generally rocky, with some sandy areas, and is surprisingly shallow considering the steepness of the mountainside. Sand bottom starts at about 5m depth at Dale Brook and nearer 9m at the harbour.

The sites include:

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Muizenberg trawler wrecks|Muizenberg trawler wrecks GPS -34.116800,18.520300
Wreck dive, boat access. Maximum depth about 18 m.

Two steel trawlers that were scuttled for bombing training in the 1970s or thereabout. They are fairly wasted, but the hull structures are moderately intact and heavily overgrown by invertebrates.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Dale Brook|Dale Brook GPS -34.123933,18.452567 : S34°07.436’ E018°27.154’
Reef dive. Shore access. Maximum depth about 6 m.

This site is well known in the scientific literature for a large diversity of marine life, and it has been a sanctuary zone for a long time, but is seldom dived by sport divers. It is ideal as a snorkel site due to the shallow depth and large variety of reef life, and is a very pleasant scuba dive in calm conditions. It is the nearest site for road access from most of the city on the east side of the peninsula.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Kalk Bay Harbour Wall|Kalk Bay Harbour Wall GPS -34.129783,18.449450 : S34:07.787’ E018:26.967'
Reef dive. Shore access. Maximum depth about 10 m.

Concrete harbour wall with sand and low rock reef at base. Bottom relief not very high. Low reef of sandstone, patches of pebble and sand at about 8 to 9 m.

Fish Hoek and Glencairn

These relatively shallow sites are exposed to south easterly wind and swell and are considered winter dives. All can be done as shore dives, though Fish Hoek Reef and Quarry Barge are usually done as boat dives as there is a long swim from shore. Great White sharks have been seen cruising in this area.

Local geography: The low lying and relatively flat valley of Fish Hoek is bounded on the south side by the steep slopes of Brakkloofrant and Else Peak, which also slopes steeply to the sea on the east.

Fish Hoek Reef is some distance off the beach, and the other dive sites of this area are along this short stretch of rocky coastline. The primary street to Simon’s Town and the M4, and the railway line share the narrow coastal strip. There is space for a few houses at Sunny Cove, and just past Quarry the Else river has cut a smaller valley with Glencairn beach. The quarry referred to is a disused sandstone quarry on the mountainside above the road just to the north of the dive site of that name.

Thit is an area where faulting has caused the Table Mountain Sandstones to extend below sea level, The strike is generally east-west and the dip is shallow, from about 7° (south) at Sunny cove to about 10° (south) at Quarry. Jointing however is roughly north west/south east.

The sites include:

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Fish Hoek Reef|Fish Hoek Reef GPS -34.138200,18.444600 :
Reef dive. Boat or shore access. Maximum depth about 15 m.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Sunny Cove|Sunny Cove GPS -34.144667,18.438333 : S34°08.68’ E018°26.30’
Reef dive. Shore access. Maximum depth about 11 m.

Named after the train station at the site. Moderate relief sandstone rocks, ridges and gullies shelving down to sand at about 10 m.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Quarry|Quarry GPS -34.156500,18.435950 : S34°09.390’ E018°26.157’ (Entry/exit ledge)
Reef dive. Shore access. Maximum depth about 10 m.

Named after the old sandstone quarry in the hillside above the road slightly to the north. Sloping ramp-like ridges of Table Mountain sandstone, roughly perpendicular to the shoreline, with occasional sandy pockets. Profile not very high.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Cement Barge|Quarry Barge GPS -34.156416,18.441283 : S34°09.395’ E018°26.474’ (approximate)
Wreck and Reef dive. Boat or shore access. Depth 12 to 14 m.

Small wreck of a steel barge. The hull is fairly intact and lies upright on a sandy patch between the reefs. Two holds are open to access from above and the overhead around the sides is trivial.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Glencairn Fan Garden|Glencairn Fan Garden GPS -34.15697,18.44020 : S34°09.418' E018°26.412' (approximate)
Reef dive. Boat access. Depth 12 to 14 m.

Fairly extensive area of low to medium profile sandstone reef with sandy patches, and large numbers of gorgonian sea fans, mostly the Palmate sea fan, but also a moderate number of Sinuous sea fans and a few Whip fans.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/P87|P87 GPS -34.1595,18.440333 :
Wreck dive, boat access. Depth: About 15 m.

Wreckage of a small wooden naval patrol boat. Its position is indicated on SAN1017 as ¼ nm south-south-west of the Quarry Barge in 15 m.

Simon's Town

Long Beach map - 360px|The dive site at Long Beach CT dive site Long Beach Simon's Town - Long beach has easy shore access and is very sheltered, and is popular for training and night dives

The small bay on the eastern side of the Cape Peninsula known as Simon’s Bay is the most sheltered part of the False Bay coastline from the south westerly swells, and is also better protected from south easterly swells than any other place on this part of the coast.

As the main anchorage of the Cape at Table Bay is badly exposed to the north westerly storms of winter, and Hout Bay is open to the south westerly swells, Simon’s Bay was the only reasonably safe alternative anchorage within a reasonable distance from Cape Town, and for these reasons was chosen by the first Dutch Governor at the Cape, Simon van der Stel, as the winter anchorage for the Dutch East India Company at the Cape.

The town that developed at this anchorage became known as Simon’s Town, and the anchorage developed into the headquarters and dockyard for the Southern hemisphere of the Royal Navy and later for the South African Navy, which it remains to this day.

The overland access to the town is relatively poor, comprising the winding and narrow primary street along the False Bay coast, with the parallel Boyes Drive and railway line and the even more winding Chapman’s Peak drive on the Atlantic coast, and the Old Cape Road (Ou Kaapseweg), a fairly steep and winding pass over the mountains in the middle of the peninsula. All are scenic routes, but none are really suited to high volume traffic, and can be annoyingly congested during rush hour. All converge on the False Bay coastal road just before reaching Simon’s Town.

The dive sites are fairly sheltered from south east wind and swell, more so further south at Long Beach, and are diveable most of the winter and some of the time in summer.

Local geography: The town is at the base of the coastal mountains, which are quite steep and have very little reasonably flat ground at the foot of the slopes, however the bay is shallow and mostly sandy bottomed, with a long sandy beach on the western side. To the east of the Naval dockyard the coastline becomes rocky again, with exposed granite corestones at Seaforth.

This area has a sandstone coastline, probably Graafwater series, but not much reef is exposed at the dive sites which are mostly on sand bottom.

The sites include:

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/SS Clan Stuart|SS Clan Stuart GPS -34.171717,18.430700 : S34°10.303’ E018°25.842’
Wreck dive. Shore access. Maximum depth 9 m.

The “Clan Stuart”, a 3500 ton British turret steamer, ran aground after dragging its anchor in a south east gale on 21 November 1914. The ship’s engine block still breaks the surface.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Brunswick|Brunswick GPS -34.181333,18.426783 : S34°10.880’ E018°25.607’
Wreck dive. Shore or boat access. Depth: 4 to 6 m.

English East Indiaman of 1,200 tons, captured by the French Admiral Linois in the Indian Ocean and brought to Simon's Town. Ran aground at Simon's Town on 19 September 1805 after losing three anchors during a south east gale. Not much is left of the wreckage.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/HNMS Bato|HNMS Bato GPS -34.183300,18.426000 : S34°10.998’ E018°25.560’
Wreck dive. Shore access. Depth: 3 to 4 m

Dutch warship of 800 tons and 74 guns. The ship had been used as a floating battery in Simon’s Bay for several years. Set on fire and sunk off Long Beach, Simon's Town, on 8 January 1806 and the same day that the Battle of Blaauwberg began. Not much of the wreck remains.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Long Beach Simon's Town|Long Beach GPS -34.187317,18.426233 : S34°11.239' E18°25.559'
Wreck dive. Underwater navigation route. Shore access. Maximum depth about 9 m.

Named for the long stretch of sandy beach. At first glance bland, but careful investigation will reveal interesting and varied life. Thit is the place to go when conditions are bad elsewhere. Very popular training site, and great for getting new equipment configurations sorted out.

There are a few small wrecks which may be visited on a compass navigation route.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Simon's Town Jetty|Simon's Town Jetty GPS -34.192080,18.432794
Artificial reef dive. Shore access. Depth about 2 m.

Small jetty on concrete pilings. Very easy access and very sheltered.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/False Bay Yacht Club moorings|False Bay Yacht Club moorings GPS -34.192111,18.434139
Artificial reef dive. Shore access. Maximum depth about 8 m.

Yacht club marina with a little reef and some wreckage. Extends as far as the Simon's Town harbour wall where some of the wrecks are still floating.

Roman Rock reefs

Roman Rambler and Castor rocks map - upright=1.5|thumb

The offshore dives in the vicinity of Roman Rock are relatively exposed to the south east swells, but are deeper, so the effect is less severe once you are at depth. Strong south east wind and chop can make the boat trip uncomfortable, so these sites are not often dived in summer, when the visibility is frequently poor.

Local geography: The sea bed is mostly very gradually sloping sand in this area, with massive granite outcrops, which are the dive sites. The sand tends to be fairly fine away from the reefs, with coarser shelly sand near the base of the rocks.

The offshore sites at Roman Rock, Rambler Rock and Castor Rock are huge granite corestones of the Peninsula pluton.

The sites include:

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Target Reef|Target Reef GPS -34.176983,18.453767 S34°10.619’ E018°27.226’
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth 6 to 22 m

Small granite and rubble reef with disused concrete naval gunnery target base.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Livingstone Reef|Livingstone Reef GPS -34.176750,18.459520 : S34°10.605' E018°27.571'
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth 14 to 23 m

Granite corestone reef of moderate size with good relief and diverse invertebrates.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Castor Rock|Castor Rock reefs: S34°10.74’ E018°27.61’
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: 4 to 20 m

Extensive reef of granite. Basically a very large outcrop with occasional high areas, small gullies, boulders, small crevices and overhangs. The reef top is of moderate relief, with relatively shallow sandy gullies, small overhangs and boulders, and has some steep areas at the edges.

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Castor Rock|Castor Rock - Northern Pinnacle GPS -34.178117,18.459833 is across a narrow sand bottomed gap to the north of the main reef.

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Castor Rock|Castor Rock - Central Pinnacle GPS -34.178667,18.460083 is on the main reef.

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Castor Rock|Wonders Pinnacle GPS -34.180167,18.460833 is on the west side of the south lobe of Castor Rock.

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Castor Rock|Roman's Rest GPS -34.180583,18.463417 is at the east side of the south lobe of Castor Reef
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Roman Rock|Roman Rock GPS -34.181167,18.460000 : S34°10.87’ E018°27.60’
Reef dive. Boat access only. Maximum depth 18 m.

An easy dive site to find as it is marked by the lighthouse of the same name off Simon’s Town Harbour. This site comprises a cluster of huge granite outcrops separated by sand bottom, on one of which the lighthouse stands. This Travel Guide includes Spider Crab Reef, slightly to the south-west of the main reef.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Tivoli Pinnacles|Tivoli Pinnacles GPS -34.1815333,18.46275 . S34°10.892’ E018°27.765’: About 250 m bearing 301° magnetic to Roman Rock Lighthouse.
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth 10 to 22 m.

A compact, high profile reef a short distance to the east of Roman Rock.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Friskies Pinnacle|Friskies Pinnacles
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth 12 to 22 m

Two small reefs with high pinnacle a short distance to the east of the Castor Rock reefs.

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Friskies Pinnacle|Friskies Pinnacle GPS -34.179667,18.463667 : S34°10.778’ E018°27.822’ and the larger and shallower, to the south, and

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Friskies Pinnacle|North Friskies Pinnacle GPS -34.178667,18.463833 the smaller and deeper, to the north.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Rambler Rock|Rambler Rock reefs
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth 10 to 22 m.

A high granite reef east of the Roman Rock lighthouse off Simon’s Town Harbour. There are four major groups of rocks at this site.

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Rambler Rock|Rambler Rock North-west pinnacle GPS -34.182067,18.464983 : S34°10.924’ E018°27.899’

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Rambler Rock|Rambler Rock North-east reefs GPS -34.181933,18.466600 : S34°10.916' E018°27.996'

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Rambler Rock|Rambler Rock Southern pinnacles GPS -34.183517,18.465300 : S34°11.011’ E018°27.918’

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Rambler Rock|Hotlips Pinnacle) GPS -34.185767,18.468183 : S34°11.145' E018°28.091' (Hotlips Pinnacle)
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Dome Rock|Dome Rock GPS -34.185317,18.462933 : S34°11.119' E018°27.776' (Dome Rock pinnacle)
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth 16 to 25 m.

A compact granite reef south of the Roman Rock lighthouse, and west of the southern part of the Rambler Rock reefs.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Random Rocks Reefs|Random Rocks Reefs
Reef dive. Boat access only. A small group of reefs south of Rambler Rocks.

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Random Rocks Reefs|Rudy's Random Rocks GPS -34.188817,18.467283 : S34°11.329' E018°28.037' (Pinnacle at south end)

Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth 21 to 26 m. A compact granite reef.

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Random Rocks Reefs|Reef With No Name GPS -34.189417,18.467583 : S34°11.365' E018°28.055' (Pinnacle)

Seaforth to Froggy Pond

Dive sites of the Seaforth area - Map showing the dive sites of the Seaforth area Ark Rock and wrecks - upright=1.5|The dive sites around Noah's Ark Rock Map of the dive sites Photographers Reef Windmill Beach and Penguin Point - upright=1.5|Some more dive sites at Seaforth

These sites are to the east and south of the Naval dockyard at Simon's Town. They are moderately shallow and exposed to the south east wind and swells, so are considered winter dives.

Local geography: These sites are all areas of granite corestone reef, though there may be occasional sandstone boulders.

The Seaforth sites include:

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Ammunition Barges|Ammunition Barges GPS -34.190139,18.449750 : S34°11.408’ E018°26.985’
Wreck dive. Boat or shore access. Depth: 8 to 10 m.

Two small steel barges to the West of Phoenix shoal. They are heavily overgrown and quite broken up.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Phoenix Shoal|Phoenix shoal GPS -34.18980,18.448300 : S34°11.388' E018°26.898'
Reef and wreck dive. Boat or shore access. Maximum depth 10 m.

The "Phoenix" was a British ship of 500 tons, built in 1810. It was wrecked a little to seaward of Phoenix Shoal in Simon's Bay on 19 July 1829. Some of the iron ballast can be seen on the reef, and the stem lies buried in sand.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Noah's Ark|Noah’s Ark and the Ark Rock Wrecks: S34°11.533’ E018°27.232’
Wreck and reef dive. Boat or shore access. Maximum depth 14 m.

Named for the large rock of the same name on the SAN charts. There is a wreck of a barge just south of the rock and the wreck of a small steam-powered vessel to the West and a larger iron or steel vessel, probably the "Parana", wrecked in 1862, to the north west. Wreckage in the form of isolated boilers of an unknown steamboat or steamboats can be found south and east of the barge wreck. There are also arrays of concrete pillars remaining from a disused naval degaussing range to the south, and another small steel wreck to the east of the rock.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Noah's Ark|Noah’s Ark Rock GPS -34.192217,18.453867

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Noah's Ark|Ark Rock Barge wreck GPS -34.193833,18.453300

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Noah's Ark|Ark Rock Boiler wreck #1 GPS -34.192417,18.452883

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Noah's Ark|Ark Rock Boiler wreck #2 GPS -34.194500,18.453267

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Noah's Ark|Ark Rock Boiler wreck #3a GPS ,

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Noah's Ark|Ark Rock Boiler wreck#3b GPS -34.193600,18.455883

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Noah's Ark|Parana wreck, main section GPS -34.191283,18.452867

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Noah's Ark|Parana wreck, small section GPS -34.191617,18.452383

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Noah's Ark|Noah’s Ark - Double row of concrete pillars GPS -34.193633,18.454617

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Noah's Ark|Noah’s Ark - Single row of concrete pillars GPS -34.194150,18.453667

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Noah's Ark|Noah’s Ark - Eastern wreck GPS -34.192167,18.455100

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Noah's Ark|Noah’s Ark - Heat exchanger GPS -34.192767,18.454783

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Noah's Ark|Noah’s Ark - Twin barges GPS -34.189583,18.452083
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Penguin Point|Penguin Point GPS -34.198150,18.454233 (Boulders): S34°11.889’ E018°27.254’
Reef dive. Shore access. Maximum depth 8 m.

Named for the penguin sanctuary. Thit is the point and inshore reef at the south east side of Boulders Beach at Seaforth.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Maidstone Rock|Maidstone Rock reefs: S34°11.581' E018°27.466'
Reef dive. Boat access Depth: 8 to 27 m.

Named for the reef shown on the SA Navy charts. The sites are Maidstone Rock, Anchor Reef and Ammo Reef
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Maidstone Rock|Maidstone Rock GPS -34.192950,18.457900

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Maidstone Rock|Anchor Reef GPS -34.192917,18.460000

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Maidstone Rock|Ammo Reef GPS -34.192733,18.462567
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Photographer's Reef|Photographer’s Reef GPS -34.197450,18.457283 (JJM Reef): S34°11.839’ E18°27.434’
Reef dive. Boat or shore access. Depth 3 to 14 m.

This reef is marked as Photographer’s reef on the SAN charts. It is also known to divers who dived it in the 1980s as JJM Reef. The lower reef to the south is JJM junior. There are several other isolated reefs in the area, mostly small, fairly low and not named.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Torch Reef|Torch Reef GPS -34.195000,18.466000 : S34° 11.700’ E018°27.960’
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: 20 to 30 m.

Thit is a small reef east of Photographer’s reef. On one of the first recorded dives at this site a diver lost his torch, and the name stuck.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Outer Photographer's Reef|Outer Photographer's Reef GPS -34.196306,18.464972 : S34°11.778' E018°27.898'
Reef dive. Boat access only Depth range 20 to 30 m.

An large isolated granite outcrop east of Photographer's Reef about 140 m south west from Torch reef. Flat topped and sheer walled.

Windmill Offshore Reefs map - Map of the offshore reefs off Windmill Beach, Simon's Town, South Africa

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Windmill Offshore Reefs|Windmill Offshore Reefs,including Outer Windmill, Dangerous Doug Reef, Windmill Offshore and Lace Reef
Reef dives. Boat access only Depth range 12 to 30 m.

A large number of scattered groups of granite outcrops. Seldom dived, little known. Mostly not yet surveyed. Those which have been partly surveyed are:
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Windmill Offshore Reefs|Dangerous Doug Reef GPS -34.199167,18.460833

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Windmill Offshore Reefs|Lace Reef GPS -34.199333,18.468750

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Windmill Offshore Reefs|Windmill Offshore GPS -34.200833,18.463333

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Windmill Offshore Reefs|Outer Windmill GPS -34.201500,18.460167

The Windmill Beach and Froggy Pond sites include:

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Windmill Beach|Windmill Beach GPS -34.201000,18.456667 : S34°12.06’ E018°27.40’
Reef dive. Shore access. Maximum depth about 8 m.

Shore dive with very sheltered beach entry and exit areas. Sand bottom with large granite outcrops and boulders, some with very high relief, extending from flat sand to near or above the surface. Slowly shelving beaches. Popular training site.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Froggy Pond|Froggy pond GPS -34.203667,18.456667 : S34°12.22’ E018°27.40’
Reef dive. Shore access Depth: Shallower than 10 m.

This little bay is actually called Froggy Pond on the official maps and charts of the area. In spite of its name thit is a sea dive, and there will be no frogs. Sandy beach with boulders in the shallows. Quite steeply shelving at the shoreline. Rocky reefs to both sides.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Fisherman’s Beach|Fisherman's Beach GPS -34.205950,18.458283 : S34°12.357’ E018°27.497’
Reef dive. Shore access. Depth: Shallower than 10 m.

The next cove south of Froggy Pond. It has a much longer beach.

Oatlands Point

Map of CT dive sites A-Frame and D-frame with grid - The dive sites at Oatlands Point

Oatlands Point is the first point south of the Froggy Pond area. There is a small group of houses on the seaward side of the primary street, and more houses up the mountainside. It is easily recognised by the large flattish topped granite boulder just offshore.

Local geography: Oatlands Point is at the foot of Swartkop peak, at 678 m and the highest point of the southern peninsula. The mountainside is fairly steep, and the houses are in a fairly narrow band along the coast. Thit is the part of False Bay where the 30 m isobath is at its closest point to the shore and where access is good for a shore dive.

These sites are all areas of granite corestone reef, though there may be occasional sandstone boulders. The smaller boulders along the shore are often sandstone which have moved down the mountainside over the years and have been rounded in the surf.

The sites include:

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/A-Frame|A-Frame GPS -34.208067,18.461033 (Oatlands Point): S34°12.484’ E018°27.662’
Reef dive. Shore access. Maximum depth about 10 m

Named for a tripod beacon which has now been replaced by a simple post. The beacon is one of the boundary markers for a marine sanctuary. The site is also marked by a huge granite outcrop which extends several metres above the water. To the north is sand bottom with low reef and big boulders, some breaking the surface, and a couple of swimthroughs. Ridges of medium height extend beyond the big rock with a pinnacle at the seaward end. To the south there are more outcrops, and an extensive area of scattered small boulders and outcrops with sand bottom between, getting rockier towards the shore.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/D-Frame|D-Frame GPS -34.206300,18.466600 (Oatlands Reef, Wave Rock): S34°12.378’ E018°27.996’
Reef dive. Shore access. Depth: 15 to 30 m.

Thit is the point on the west side of False Bay where the 30 m contour is closest to the shore. Divers wishing to do a 30 m shore dive can do it here.

The reef comprises several large outcrops of granite with sand bottom between. There is one point that rises to about 4 m from the surface with an almost vertical drop to 14 m on both sides. Most parts are not nearly this high. The south reef has an overhanging rock outcrop known as the “Wave Rock”.

Rocklands Point

Rocklands sites map - Map of the dive sites around Rocklands Point

South of Oatlands Point and the shore gets steeper, and there are not many houses. The road winds along the shoreline, gaining altitude slightly towards Miller’s Point. Rocklands Point is recognisable from the road by Spaniard Rock. a moderately large sized granite rock about 100 m offshore, and the largest visible rock in the area.

The shore is rather steep at Rocklands Point, and there are no houses in the immediate vicinity. There is an extensive area of shallow rocky reef inshore of Rocklands blinder and Spaniard Rock. South of Spaniard Rock, and extending to a blinder to the south known as Stern Reef, is an area of scattered granite reef, mostly low, but with a few fairly high outcrops. This area is complex and has not yet been mapped.

Like the sites to the north and south, thit is an area of granite corestones on a sand bottom, though sandstone boulders are frequently found at the water’s edge.

The sites include:

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Insanity Reef|Insanity Reef GPS -34.213617,18.467400 : S34°12.817’ E018°28.044’
Reef dive. Boat access. Depth: 2 to 14 m.

Large granite corestone outcrops and boulders on a fairly level sand bottom. The reef is fairly small and broken up, but compact, and all the rocks are close together. There is a huge boulder at the north end which is supported on outcrops to form a small sand bottomed swimthrough with about 4 entrances.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Rocklands blinder|Rocklands Blinder GPS -34.215000,18.466667 (Seal Colony): S34°12.9’ E018°28.0’
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Depth: 3 to 13 m.

The main reef is large outcrops of granite rising from about 13 m on the sand to the north east, to about 3 to 4 m depth on top. The inshore side slopes down more gradually to lots of small boulders and low outcrops. The smaller second reef is high and on a sand bottom.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Spaniard Rock|Spaniard Rock GPS -34.217167,18.467167 : S34°13.03’ E018°28.03’
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth 13 m.

Spaniard rock is a high pinnacle on a sand bottom which extends a couple of metres above the water. Contiguous low reef lies to the north. To the west is another pinnacle comprising a group of big corestone outcrops and boulders, one of which breaks surface occasionally.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Alpha Reef|Alpha Reef GPS -34.216450,18.486400 (Outer Spaniard): S34°12.987’ E018°28.184’
Reef dive. Boat access. Depth 2 to 15 m.

The site was previously known as Outer Spaniard, but Alpha reef now seems to be more common usage. The reef is an outcrop of granite corestones in two main sections divided by an east-west gulley.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Omega Reef|Omega Reef GPS -34.21425,18.473917 : S34.21426 E018.47412
Reef dive, Boat access. Depth 15 to 25 m.

A granite corestone reef about 220 m long from Northwest to SE, and about 80 m wide. Not often dived.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Stern Reef|Stern Reef GPS -34.2194,18.4672 : S34°13.164’ E018°28.032’
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth about 14 m.

An extensive area of high to low relief granite corestone outcrops on a sand bottom, marked by a rock which breaks the surface at some states of the tide.

Millers Point dive sites - Dive sites from Miller's Point to Buffels Bay

Miller's Point

Dive sites of Caravan Reef - upright=1.5|Map showing the dive sites at Caravan Reef

Local geography: This part of the peninsula coastline is a steep mountainside below the Swartkopberge. The mountainside is quite steep close to the shore, but on reaching the sea and the slope flattens out dramatically. The small rocky peninsula of Miller’s Point juts out rather abruptly into the bay and provides a sheltered site for the slipway from which most of the boat launches in this area are made. There is sufficient reasonably level ground for extensive parking areas off the primary street, including boat trailer parking.

This area is characterised by large areas of granite corestone reef interspersed with sandy patches, and relatively flat sand bottom further out. There are also sandstone boulders along the shoreline. Many of the reefs are fairly large areas of massive outcrops with ridges, gullies and boulders on top, some of which are very large.

The sites include:

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/SAS Pietermaritzburg|SAS Pietermaritzburg GPS -34.221716,18.474417 : S34°13.303’ E018°28.465’
Wreck dive. Boat access only. Maximum depth 22 m.

This 1330 tonne minesweeper was launched in 1943 as HMS Pelorus, and was sold in 1947 to the South African Navy and renamed HMSAS Pietermaritzburg. It was scuttled by explosive charges on 12 November 1994 to form an artificial reef. The wreck lies upright on the sand and is slowly collapsing.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Caravan Reef|Caravan Reef: S34°13.352’ E018°28.733’ including PMB Pinnacles, North Caravan, Central Caravan, South Caavan, Inner Caravan.
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: 3 to 22 m

This site is offshore of the caravan park at Miller’s Point, which may be the origin of its name. Extensive granite reefs on sand bottom. The reef may extend continuously to Miller's Point.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Caravan Reef|Caravan Reef - PMB Pinnacles GPS -34.221850,18.476067

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Caravan Reef|Caravan Reef - North Caravan GPS -34.222533,18.478883

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Caravan Reef|Caravan Reef - Caravan Central GPS ,

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Caravan Reef|Caravan Reef - South Caravan GPS -34.225217,18.478683

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Caravan Reef|Caravan Reef - Inner Caravan GPS -34.225,18.474167
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Miller’s Point|Miller's Point: S34°13.822’ E018°28.411’ (Slipway)
Reef dive. Shore access. Depth: Shallow inshore.

Fairly shallow rocky reef of granite outcrops and boulders, some smallish swimthroughs and quite a few overhangs and holes under boulders.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Miller’s Point|Miller's Point slipway GPS -34.230483,18.473897

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Miller’s Point|Miller's Point tidal swimmingpool GPS -34.231319,18.475978

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Miller’s Point|Miller's Point - Rumbly Bay GPS -34.234314,18.474908
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Murphy's|Murphy's GPS -34.232600,18.483100 : S34°13.958' E018°28.988'
Reef dive. Boat access. Depth: 14 to about 20 m.

Small pinnacle with medium profile adjacent reef of boulders and outcrops over a fairly large area.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Boat Rock|Boat Rock GPS -34.234500,18.483333 (Bakoven Rock): S34°14.05’ E18°29.05’
Reef dive. Boat access only. Maximum depth 22 m.

Coarse shelly sand bottom at about 14 m with big granite boulders and reef. The rock that gives the site its name extends a few metres above sea level. High relief and a lot of small holes under rocks, mostly too small to swim through.

Castle Rocks

Dive sites of the Castle Rocks area Map - Map showing the dive sites around Castle Rocks

This has been a marine sanctuary area for many years and as a result is one of the best sites for fish. There are several excellent dive sites accessible from a very limited amount of roadside parking, or by a short boat ride from Miller's Point.

Local geography: This part of the peninsula coastline is a steep mountainside below the Swartkopberge. There is very little ground along this strip which is not steep, but on reaching the sea and the slope flattens out and the small rocky peninsula of Castle Rocks juts out into the bay. There is sufficient reasonably sloped ground for a few houses above and below the primary street.

This area is characterised by granite corestone reefs with sandy patches between them, and almost flat sand bottom further out. There will occasionally be the odd sandstone boulder which has made its way a short distance offshore with the assistance of wave action and gravity, and a lot of the smaller shoreline boulders are sandstone. Many of the reefs are fairly large areas of massive ridges, gullies with occasional loose boulders on top, and some of these boulders are huge.

The sites include:

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Fan Reef|Fan Reef GPS -34.236083,18.487667 : S34°14.165 E18°29.260
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: 25 to 30 m.

A low granite outcrop at about 30 m maximum depth, with a large number of sea fans.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Shark Alley|Shark Alley GPS -34.236833,18.476667 : S34°14.21’ E018°28.60’ Estimated
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth about 12 m.

Named for the Cowsharks often seen at the site. Big granite boulders and outcrops with sand patches. Shark Alley is between the kelp forests on near-shore reef and the reef surrounding Pyramid rock.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pyramid|Pyramid: S34°14.220’ E018°28.688’
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth about 12 m.

Named for the pointed rock that marks the site. It projects above the water at all tides and is easily identified. Large granite boulders and outcrops with sand around them in deep areas and at the bottom of some gullies. Several small tunnels, caves and overhangs. Lots of fish.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pyramid|Pyramid Rock GPS -34.237083,18.478300

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pyramid|Pyramid Reef - Castle Pinnacles GPS -34.239267,18.480433

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pyramid|Pyramid Reef - Sansui Reef GPS , further offshore.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Castle Rocks|Castle Rocks and Parson’s Nose: S34°14.353’ E018°28.591’
Reef dive. Shore access. Maximum depth about 18 m.

Castle Rocks applies to the point as a whole and the offshore rocks to the south east. The point is a small rocky peninsula that can be an island at high tide.

The small headland just to the south of Castle Rocks has been known as Parson’s Nose. Castle Pinnacles is actually part of the Pyramid Rock reef, though if dived from the shore and the Castle Rocks north entry is likely to be used,

There are several sub-sites at Castle Rocks, including
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Castle Rocks|Castle Rocks North Side GPS -34.2387,18.4775

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Castle Rocks|Castle Rocks Point Reefs GPS -34.24,18.48 (Outside Castle)

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Castle Rocks|Inner Castle GPS -34.241,18.4779 (South Castle).
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Outer Castle|Outer Castle GPS -34.238683,18.483233 (Blindevals): S34°14.320’ E018°29.002’
Reef dive. Boat access. Depth: about 3 to 33 m.

A blinder off Castle Rocks, which breaks if there is much swell. It is marked on the SAN charts as “blindevals”. The main feature of the site is a huge granite boulder on a rock base standing on four points with a swimthrough gap underneath and a small air trap overhang.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/☎ Reef|☎ reef GPS -34.237100,18.486700 : S34°14.225’ E018°29.202’
Reef dive. Boat access. Depth 15 to about 24 m.

A small patch of granite reef east of Outer Castle and north of Giant's Castle. There is a compact group of tall outcrops to the east of the reef, with the top of the pinnacle at about 15 m depth, The reef is surrounded by sand bottom. There is some unsurveyed reef to the south.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Giant's Castle|Giant's Castle GPS -34.239300,18.487100 : S34°14.362’ E018°29.225’
Reef dive. Boat access. Depth 17 to about 33 m.

A small patch of granite reef east of Outer Castle. The main feature is a compact group of tall outcrops with the top of the pinnacle at about 17 m depth, Below 24 m and the reef extends mainly to the east, and it is surrounded by sand bottom. There is a small low outlier to the north and a patch of unexplored reef to the east.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pie Rock|Pie Rock: S34°14.385' E018°29.065'
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: 5 to 25 m.

Large granite corestone outcrops and boulders. There is a pinnacle to the east of the site, where it is generally deepest. Spectacular site in good visibility, and there are usually lots of fish.

Three sites are named in this area:
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pie Rock|North Pie Rock Reef GPS -34.239583,18.484583

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pie Rock|South Pie Rock Pinnacles GPS -34.240750,18.483083

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pie Rock|West Pie Rock Reef GPS ,

Finlay's Point to Partridge Point

The stretch of coastline south of Castle Rocks to Smitswinkel Bay is not really accessible from the road, partly due to the higher altitude of the road in this area and partly due to the rather steep mountainside, so these dive sites, though mostly close to the shore, are almost always dived from a boat.

Local geography: There are two small points along this relatively straight coastline at Finlay’s Point and Partridge Point, where some very large granite corestones form reefs which extend some distance into the bay. A few of these project quite high above the water and are easy monuments for the dive sites.

The shoreline is consistently rocky in this section, and is made up of granite corestones with sandstone boulders which have found their way down the mountainside over the years. Above the waterline and the lower mountainside is granitic saprolith with dense vegetation cover.

Finlay's Point dive sites map - Map of the dive sites off Finlay's Point

The Finlay's Point area sites include:

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Finlay's Point|Finlay’s Point GPS -34.248767,18.477550 (Jenga Reef): S34°14.959' E018°28.611'
Reef dive. Boat access. Shore access is feasible but rather athletic. Maximum depth about 15 m.

The last big boulders north of Partridge Point. Bottom is mostly low to moderate rocky reef of outcrops and boulders of assorted sizes, some pretty big, in chaotic arrangement. Directly off the big corestones of the point is an area of big boulders and rugged reef, with small patches of sand.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Graeme's Spot and The Jambles|Graeme's Spot and The Jambles: S34°14.903' E018°28.917'
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth 9 to 24 m.

Large granite outcrop and huge boulders on an extensive area of granite corestone reef bordered by sandy areas to the West, north and east, and Carnaby Strret Pinnacle tom the south. Good biodiversity and reef cover and spectacular topography.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Graeme's Spot and The Jambles|The Jambles GPS -34.248083,18.481500

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Graeme's Spot and The Jambles|Graeme's Spot GPS -34.248383,18.481950
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Finlay's Pinnacle|Finlay's Pinnacle GPS -34.249500,18.479667 : S34°14.970' E018°28.780'
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth 9 to 18 m.

Large granite outcrop and boulders on an extensive area of granite corestone reef bordered by a sandy strip to the south. Contiguous reef extends to The Jambles to the north and Carnaby Street Pinnacle to the east.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Carnaby Street Pinnacle|Carnaby Street Pinnacle GPS -34.249750,18.482000 : S34°14.980' E018°28.920'
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth 9 to 24 m.

Large granite outcrop and large boulders on an extensive area of granite corestone reef bordered by sandy areas to the south and east, Graeme's Spot to the north, and Finlay's Pinnacle to the West.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Finlay's Deep|Finlay's Deep GPS -34.250083,18.486567 (Mont Blanc): S34°15.005' E018°29.194'
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: 20 to 30 m.

Thit is a small granite outcrop reef on a sand bottom directly offshore from Finlay's Point on the 30 m depth contour. Rich in Gorgonian sea fans.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Atlantis Reef|Atlantis Reef GPS -34.251250,18.483783 : S34°15' E018°29'
Reef dive. Boat access only Depth 4 to 27 m.

A pair of huge granite pinnacles (The Pillars of Hercules), on an extensive area of high and low profile reef. Excellent diversity of reef cover, shoals of fish and some exceptionally dense groups of gorgonian sea fans.

The Partridge Point area sites include Partridge Point reef map - upright=1.5|Map showing the location of the dive sites at Partridge Point Partridge point from the road - View of the dive sites at Partridge Point seen from the road near Smitswinkel Bay

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Sherwood Forest|Sherwood Forest GPS -34.25317,18.48350 : S34°15.190' E18°29.010' (Pinnacle) between Atlantis and Partridge Point.
Reef dive. Boat access only. Maximum depth about 30 m.

Reported on Underwater Cape Town as newly discovered site on 3 May 2012. Lots of sea fans.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Partridge Point|Fish Tank GPS -34.25317,18.48350 : S34°15.229’ E018°28.930’ (Pinnacle)
Reef dive. Boat access only. Maximum depth about 21 m.

Compact granite reef, Lots of sea fans.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Partridge Point|Partridge Point, Seal Rock and Peter's Pinnacle: S34°15.336’ E018°28.822’ (Seal Rock)
Reef dive. Boat access only. Maximum depth 26 m.

The site known as Partridge Point includes the Big Rock group of rocks to the south, while Seal Rock (or Deep Partridge) is the reef offshore of the low rock to the east of the point. Peter's Pinnacle is the reef inshore and slightly south of the Big Rock. Very large granite boulders and outcrops, some extending above the surface by several metres.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Partridge Point|Partridge Point - Seal Rock GPS -34.255617,18.481533

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Partridge Point|Partridge Point - Deep Partridge GPS -34.255833,18.483333

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Partridge Point|Partridge Point - Dave's Caves GPS -34.256300,18.478400

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Partridge Point|Partridge Point - Big Rock GPS -34.257750,18.479800

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Partridge Point|Partridge Point - Peter's Pinnacles GPS -34.258583,18.478117

Smitswinkel Bay

Smits Wrecks and Good Hope Reef map - upright=1.5|Map of the dive sites at Smitswinkel Bay

The wrecks of Smitswinkel bay are among the best known and most popular boat dives of the Cape Town area. The water is deep enough to reduce surge significantly and shallow enough for recreational divers. The wrecks are easy to find, large and sufficiently intact to be recognisable, and have also developed a thriving ecology which includes a few relatively rare organisms.

Local geography: Smitswinkel Bay is a moderately large bay on the east side of the Cape Peninsula. The coast road gains altitude as it winds along the mountainside south of Simon’s Town and turns inland at Smitswinkel Bay.

To the north of the bay and the exposed rock at sea level is Peninsula granite, but on the south side the Graafwater sandstone extends below sea level. The bottom of the bay is flat sand.

The sites include:

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/SAS Transvaal|SAS Transvaal GPS -34.266750,18.479350 : S34°15.956’ E018°28.778’ (Bow)
Wreck dive. Boat access only. Depth 27 to 34 m.

Loch class frigate "HMSAS Transvaal" F602 was launched at Belfast on 2 August 1944.

The ship was sold for scrap and scuttled by explosive charges in Smitswinkel Bay to form an artificial reef on 3 August 1978.

The wreck lies upright on a sand bottom and has partly collapsed.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/MFV Orotava|MFV Orotava GPS -34.266633,18.479567 : S34°16.023’ E018°28.796’ (Bow)
Wreck dive. Boat access only. Depth 23 to 34 m.

The "MFV Orotava" was built in 1958. The trawler was donated to the False Bay Conservation Society along with the Princess Elizabeth by Irvin and Johnson. In August 1983 the vessels were towed out to Smitswinkel Bay and scuttled. The Orotava is the larger of the two trawlers and lies on the sand heeled to port about 20°.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/MFV Princess Elizabeth|MFV Princess Elizabeth GPS -34.267800,18.480650 :
Wreck dive. Boat access only. Depth 22 to 36 m.

The Princess Elizabeth was built in 1961. The trawler was badly damaged by a fire and was donated to the False Bay Conservation Society along with the Orotava by Irvin and Johnson. In August 1983 the vessels were towed out to Smitswinkel Bay and scuttled. The Princess Elizabeth is the smaller of the two trawlers and lies on the sand with a slight list to starboard.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/SAS Good Hope|SAS Good Hope GPS -34.267567,18.480833 :
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth 30 to 35 m.

A small granite reef with lots of gorgonian sea fans.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Good Hope Reef|Good Hope Reef GPS -34.267483,18.481550 : S34°16.105’ E018°28.851’ (Bow)
Wreck dive. Boat access only. Depth 27 to 36 m.

The Loch class frigate "HMSAS Good Hope" was launched in 1944. The vessel saw service as a convoy escort during the closing stages of World War II and was for many years the flagship of the SA Navy.

The ship was sold for scrap and scuttled by explosive charges in Smitswinkel Bay to form an artificial reef on 18 June 1978.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/MV Rockeater|MV Rockeater GPS -34.268783,18.481500 : S34°16.135’ E018°28.855’ (Bow)
Wreck dive. Boat access only. Maximum depth 34 m

The 65m "MV Rockeater" was built in New Orleans in 1945 as a coastal freighter for the United States Navy. The ship was bought by Ocean Science and Engineering (South Africa) in 1964 to be used for marine prospecting.

The Rockeater was towed to Smitswinkel Bay on 15 December 1972 and scuttled.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Smits Swim|Smits Swim
Wreck dive. Boat access only. Depth 22 m to maximum of 36 m

It is feasible to visit all five wrecks on a single no-decompression dive. Thit is occasionally organised for people who want to have been there and done that.

Batsata area

Smits and Batsata reef map - 360px|Map showing the reef areas near Batsata Rock

A small group of dive sites just to the south of Smitswinkel Bay. They are inaccessible by land due to the steep cliffs along the shore and lack of nearby roads.

Local geography: These sites are at the foot of Judas Peak and the mountain peak on the south headland of Smitswinkel Bay. Their position at the base of the steep cliffs gives them protection from south westerly winds and swell, but they will catch some of the north westerly wind which comes through the gap above Smitswinkel Bay. They are exposed to south easterly winds and waves.

The shoreline and shallow reef at Smits Cliff is Table Mountain Sandstone, probably Graafwater series, while the offshore reefs at Smits Reef and Batsata Rock are Peninsula Granite. The unconformity is near sea level in this area.

The sites include:

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Smits Reef|Smits Reef (Birthday Reef, Horseshoe Reef, Batsata Maze, Seekatbank): S34°16.483’ E018°28.949’ (South pinnacle) and Kreef Reef.
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth 6 to 27 m.

Thit is a very large area of granite reef extending north from near the Batsata rock into the mouth of Smitswinkel Bay. Northern pinnacle is a huge outcrop rising from coarse shelly sand bottom at about 27 m to 5 m on top. The reef has gradually sloping low areas and vertical walls, narrow deep gullies and ledges along jointing lines. Kreef Reef is a fairly large, relatively low outlying reef to the north.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Smits Reef|Smits Reef - Kreef Reef GPS -34.272667,18.479667

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Smits Reef|Smits Reef - Horseshoe Reef GPS -34.273500,18.482333

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Smits Reef|Smits Reef GPS -34.274767,18.482150

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Smits Reef|Smits Reef - Batsata Maze GPS -34.275283,18.483617

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Smits Reef|Smits Reef - West Pinnacle GPS -34.274917,18.481050
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Smits Cliff|Smits Cliff GPS -34.274670,18.473500 (Hell’s Gate): S34°16.48’ E018°28.41’
Reef dive. Boat access only. Maximum depth about 16 m.

The cliffs at the south side of Smitswinkel Bay are marked on the charts as Hell’s Gate. The site is not dived very often as there are more popular sites which are more accessible. As a result it is mostly unexplored and has not been mapped. The reef appears to be mostly sandstone.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Batsata Rock|Batsata Rock GPS -34.275890,18.480670 : S34°16.602’ E018°28.830’
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth: Fairly shallow around the exposed rocks, maximum depth not known.

Sandstone reef with granite substrate at greater depth. Fairly shallow around the exposed rocks.

Buffels Bay

This site is inside the Cape Point National Park area. Access is controlled by the Parks Board and various fees are charged. A slipway at Buffels Bay is also controlled by Parks Board, and the facilities are usually in good condition, It would probably be more popular if access was allowed after 6 pm.

Local geography: Buffels Bay is the closest place to Cape Point where there is road access to a place sufficiently sheltered for a slipway to be viable.

The shoreline is sandstone in this area.

The sites include:

{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Bordjiesrif|Bordjiesrif GPS -34.316500,18.463830 : S34°18.99’ E018°27.83’
Reef dive. Shore access. Depth: Fairly shallow.

Shallow sandstone reef in the Cape Point National Park area.
{{marker|type=maroon Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Buffels Bay|Buffels Bay GPS -34.320280,18.462170 : S34°19.217' E018°27.73'
Reef dive. Shore access. Depth: Fairly shallow, less than 10 m.

Shallow sandstone reef in the Cape Point National Park area.

False Bay Offshore

False Bay offshore dive sites - Offshore dive sites of False Bay

Introduction and some tips on diving the Central False Bay sites.

All the sites in this area are fairly far offshore, and can only be done as boat dives. They are also relatively deep and because of the long boat trip and exposed positions, generally only dived when conditions are expected to be good.

This area is exposed to the same south westerly swells as the Atlantic coast, but they must travel over a much wider continental shelf, much of which is less than 100 m deep, so there is a significant dissipation of wave energy before it reaches the shoreline.

During summer the strong south easterly winds have sufficient fetch to produce sea states which are unpleasant and though the wave action may not produce a great deal of surge at the bottom and the surface conditions may be unsuitable for diving, and in winter the north wester can obtain a similar effect.

As the area is affected by the winds and wave systems of both winter and summer and there is less seasonal correlation to suitable conditions, and it is simply dived when conditions are good, which is not very often.

It is quite common for the surface visibility offshore to be poor, with better visibility at depth, but the reverse effect can also occur. These effects are often associated with a thermocline.

Water temperature can differ with depth from 20°C on the surface to 9°C at the bottom at 28 m, sometimes with a distinct thermocline, though usually there is less of a change. A dry suit is recommended for any of these dives, but they are also often done in wetsuits.

Reefs

Whittle Rock main reef - Map of the dive sites at Whittle Rock. Janbruin at Whittle Rock DSC09125 - Jan Bruin at Whittle Rock Reef scene at Rocky Bank with fish P9205353 - Fish over the reef at Rocky Bank Zooanthids on sponge at Rocky Bank P9205401 - Typical reef invertebrate cover at Rocky Bank

These sites are not dived as frequently as the inshore reefs, as they are further from the launch sites and therefore take considerably longer to get to. They are also more exposed to the weather from all directions, so the trip is often bumpy. However, as they are relatively deep, and far offshore and the visibility can be very good, and may well be better than inshore areas at any given time, particularly with an onshore wind and swell. Unfortunately thit is not reliably predictable.

Local geography: The topography of the reefs differs according to the geology of the area. As a result the character varies vastly.

Seal Island and Whittle Rock are granite outcrops, probably all part of the Cape Peninsula pluton. Steenbras Reef is sedimentary rock, thought to be Tygerberg formation of the Malmesbury series, but looks more like sandstone than shale, and Rocky Bank is sandstone, probably of the Table Mountain group.

The sites include:

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Seal Island|Seal Island GPS -34.137500,18.582500 : S34°08.25’ E018°34.95’
Cage dive. Boat access only. Depth shallow — the cages are only about 2 m deep.

These dives are for one purpose only: to see sharks. Other fish may be attracted to the bait, but that is not what you do this dive to see. Cage dives must be done through a licensed Shark Cage Diving charter.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/East Shoal|East Shoal GPS -34.148333,18.646389 : S34°08'54" E18°38'47"
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth probably about 2 to 25 m.

The reef is said to be Table Mountain sandstone. A seldom dived site due to distance from launch sites, with an astonishing density of echinoderms.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Drop Zone|Drop Zone GPS -34.14269,18.76382 : S34°08.561' E18°45.829'
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth probably from about 12 to 25 m.

The moderate profile but extensive reef is sedimentary rock, either Malmesbury series or Table Mountain sandstone. Only recently (2023) dived by charter boats. Colourful invertebrates, including large numbers of gorgonian sea fans.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Moddergat|Moddergat GPS -34.1525,18.8275 : S34°09.150' E18°49.650'
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth probably from about 13 to 16 m.

The moderate to low profile but extensive reef is sedimentary rock, either Malmesbury series or Table Mountain sandstone. Only recently (2023) dived by charter boats. Colourful invertebrates, including quite large numbers of nudibranchs. Also known as a fishing spot, but not many fish seen of a size worth catching.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Steenbras Deep|Steenbras Deep Reef: S34°12.64’ E018°45.50’
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth 17 to 30 m.

This site is at the southern end of a long ridge towards the east side of False Bay. The southern pinnacle is irregular in shape, with a large number of cracks, grooves and indentations, mostly not very deep. Sand is coarse and shelly with lots of bryozoan detritus at the edge of the reef. There is also a northern pinnacle, though both are relatively flat.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Steenbras Deep|Steenbras Deep - North Pinnacles GPS -34.2025,18.7595

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Steenbras Deep|Steenbras Deep - South Pinnacles GPS -34.2107,18.7583
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/York Shoal|York Shoal GPS -34.156111,18.593056 : S34°09'22", E018°35'35"
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth not known.

The reef is thought to be granite. It is near Seal Island where Great White sharks are a tourist attraction.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whittle Rock|Whittle Rock
Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth 4 m to more than 30 m.

Thit is a large area of granite corestone reefs surrounded by sand. The topography varies considerably as it is such a large area. The top of the shallowest pinnacle is at about 4 m depth, and the sand is around 30 m.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whittle Rock|Whittle Rock GPS -34.247433,18.5619 (Shallowest pinnacle)

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whittle Rock|Whittle Rock South-east Pinnacle GPS -34.248117,18.562917

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whittle Rock|Whittle Rock West Pinnacle GPS -34.2474,18.561367

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whittle Rock|Whittle Rock North-west Pinnacle GPS -34.246083,18.560367

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whittle Rock|Euphrates anchors GPS -34.246383,18.56325

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whittle Rock|South east pinnacle chain (Neptune's bath plug) GPS -34.248617,18.56255

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whittle Rock|M&M Tower (the Spark plug) GPS -34.24905,18.55915

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whittle Rock|Cave Rock reef GPS -34.24905,18.560267

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whittle Rock|Labyrinth GPS -34.250067,18.559667
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Anvil Rock|Anvil Rock GPS -34.3703,18.51817
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Anvil Rock|Anvil Rock 3 m pinnacle GPS -34.3703 ,18.518167 : S34°22.218' E18°31.090'

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Anvil Rock|Anvil Rock caves GPS -34.3704 ,18.5178 : Approx 20m deep, area of nice caves/swim-throughs: S36°22.244' E18°31.068'

Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth 3 m to more than 20 m.

The reef is Peninsula granite corestone.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Rocky Bank|Rocky Bank GPS -34.415500,18.591667 : S34°24.7’ E018°35.5’
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Rocky Bank|36 m Pablo's steps drop GPS -34.41933,18.59185 : S34°25.160’ E018°35.571’

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Rocky Bank|32 m drop GPS -34.41657,18.69105 : S34°24.994’ E018°35.463’

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Rocky Bank|30 m drop GPS -34.41595,18.591217 : S34°24.957’ E018°35.473’

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Rocky Bank|25 m drop GPS -34.4151,18.5913 : S34°24.906’ E018°35.478’

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Rocky Bank|22 m drop GPS -34.41367,18.591217 : S34°24.820’ E018°35.473’

Reef dive. Boat access only. Depth 22 m to more than 50 m on the south side.

The reef is said to be Table Mountain sandstone. It is a beautiful site with bright colourful reef invertebrates, but is seldom dived due to the distance from the nearest launch site. Visibility is often better than inside the bay.

Wrecks

SATS General Botha 1926 - SATS General Botha in 1926

There are a number of wrecks in central False Bay. Only the ones that are identified and dived are listed here. Exploration of previously undived wrecks occurs sporadically and the list is sure to increase over time. Most of these wrecks are relatively deep, and are all too far offshore to dive from the shore. Some of them are considered among the best dive sites of the Cape Town area, at least partly because of the difficult access and rarity value.

Local geography: The "Lusitania" is on a site where the granite reef is ruggedly spectacular and the boat trip provides a magnificent view of Cape Point. The "General Botha", "Bloemfontein" and "Fleur" are on the flat sand bottom of the bay and in these cases, only the wreck is of much interest. The Geodetia is relatively shallow and on a mixed sand and sedimentary rock reef bottom.

The sites include:

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/ST Godetia|ST Godetia GPS -34.1,18.73 : S34°6’ E018°44’
Wreck dive. Boat access only. Depth: 15 to 17 m.

The SS Geodetia was a steam trawler operated by Irvin and Johnson that was sunk for target training by the SA Air Force. The wreck is very broken up and lies on a bottom of small patches of rocky reef and sand at a maximum depth of about 17 to 18 m. The single scotch boiler and engine block are the most prominent artifacts, and stand on top of a small section of reef, surrounded by fragments of various sizes. The propeller shaft and propeller extend slightly to the West.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/SAS Fleur|SAS Fleur GPS -34.180533,18.564917 : S34°10.832’ E018°33.895’
Wreck dive. Deep dive. Boat access only. Depth: 35 to 41 m.

The SAS Fleur was a ‘Bar’ class boom defence vessel, formerly HMS Barbrake. The wreck lies almost level embedded in the bottom as if floating in sand with the weather deck at about 35 m. Hull structure is collapsing.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/SATS General Botha|SATS General Botha GPS -34.227983,18.638167 : S34°13.679’ E018°38.290’
Wreck dive. Deep dive. Boat access only. Depth: 47 to 54 m.

The River-Class cruiser HMS Thames was built in 1886 and later purchased from the Royal Navy and donated to the South African Government as a training ship for seafarers. The vessel was renamed the "South African Training Ship (SATS)General Botha".

The General Botha was scuttled by gunfire from the Scala Battery in Simon’s Town on 13th May 1947. The hull is substantially intact from the ram bow to some metres abaft amidships, roughly level with the aft gun sponsons.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/SAS Bloemfontein|SAS Bloemfontein GPS -34.2443,18.6659 : near S34°14.655’ E018°39.952’
Wreck dive. Deep dive. Boat access only. Depth: 47 to 55 m.

The SAS Bloemfontein M439 was a sister ship to the SAS Pietermaritzburg and has similar dimensions and layout. This Algerine class Minesweeper was built as HMS Rosamund, and was scuttled on 5 June 1967.

The ship lies upright on a flat sand bottom and is substantially intact.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/SS Lusitania|SS Lusitania GPS -34.390000,18.494167 : S34°23.40’ E018°29.65’
Wreck dive. Deep dive. Boat access only. Depth: 35 to 40 m.

Portuguese twin-screw liner of 5557 tons, built in 1906. Wrecked on Bellows Rock off Cape Point on 18 April 1911 in fog while on a voyage from Lourenco Marques (Maputo). The granite reef slopes down from Bellows Rock to the east, and drops off almost vertically from about 15 m to about 33 m, where the broken wreckage lies between the wall and some boulders further east. The wreck is extremely simple to find, and spread over a fairly large area down to 40 m.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/SS Lusitania|Bellows Rock GPS -34.389652,18.490553

Eastern False Bay coast

Gordons Bay dive sites - upright=1.5|Dive sites of the Gordon's Bay area

Introduction and some tips on diving the Eastern False Bay coast from Gordon’s Bay to Hangklip.

This coast is exposed to the same south westerly swells as the Atlantic coast, but they must travel over a much wider continental shelf, much of which is less than 100 m deep, so there is a significant dissipation of wave energy before it reaches the shoreline. There are other influences, as some of the swells must pass over the shoal area known as Rocky Bank in the mouth of False Bay, and this tends to refract and focus the wave fronts on certain parts of the shore, depending on the exact direction of the wave fronts. As a result there is a tendency for some parts of the coast to be subjected to a type of “freak wave” which appears to be a combination of focused wave front, superposition sets and the effects of the local coastal topography. There are a number of memorial crosses along the coast to attest to the danger of these waves, though the victims are generally anglers, as divers would not attempt to dive in the conditions that produce these waves.

This area, like the Atlantic coast, is a summer diving area, though there will occasionally be conditions suitable for a winter dive. Even in milder conditions there tend to be more noticeable sets than on the Atlantic coast, and it is prudent to study the conditions for several minutes when deciding on an entry or exit point, as the cycle can change significantly over that time. Timing is important at most of these sites, and often when returning to the shore it may seem that the conditions have deteriorated dangerously during the dive. If this happens, do not be in a rush to exit, hang back for at least one cycle of sets, and time your exit to coincide with the low energy part of the cycle, when the waves are lowest and the surge least. When you exit in these conditions, do not linger in the surge zone, get out fast, even if it requires crawling up the rocks on hands and knees, and generally avoid narrow tapering gullies, as they concentrate the wave energy.

The local geology has produced a coastline with much fewer sheltered exit points on this side of the bay, adding to the difficulty, but there are a few deep gullies sufficiently angled to the wave fronts to provide good entry and exit points in moderate conditions. The most notable of these is at Percy’s Hole, where an unusual combination of very sudden decrease in depth from about 14 m to about 4 m, a long, narrow gully with a rocky beach at the end, and a side gully near to the mouth which is shallow, wide, parallel to the shoreline, and full of kelp, results in one of the best protected exits on the local coastline. As a contrast, Coral Garden at Rooi-els, which is about 1.7 km away, has a gully that shelves moderately, with a wide mouth and very small side gullies, which are very tricky unless the swell is quite low.

There is no significant current in False Bay, and this results in relatively warmer water than the Atlantic coast, but also there is less removal of dirty water, so the visibility tends to be poorer. The South-Easter is an offshore wind here too, and will cause upwelling in the same way as on the Atlantic coast, but the bottom water is usually not as clean or as cold, and the upwelled water may carry the fine light silt which tends to deposit in this area when conditions are quiet, so the effects are usually less noticeable. These upwellings are more prevalent in the Rooi-els area, which is deeper than Gordon’s Bay.

As in the Atlantic, a plankton bloom frequently follows an upwelling. This will reduce the visibility, particularly near the surface. It is quite common for the surface visibility offshore to be poor, with better visibility at depth, but the reverse effect can also occur, particularly inshore. These effects are often associated with a thermocline.

Surface water temperature on this side of the bay can range from as high as 22°C to as low as 10°C, and the temperature can differ with depth, sometimes with a distinct thermocline.

Gordon's Bay

View of Gordon's Bay from a dive boat DSC02336 - View of Gordon's Bay from a dive boat heading south

This area includes some of the best and most popular shore dive sites in the east side of False Bay. All can also be dived from a boat, and thit is of particular importance to divers with restricted mobility on shore, as there is generally a rugged bit of coast to negotiate and in some cases a long climb. There are also sites which are only dived from boats as the shore access is too difficult or dangerous. The dive sites are all close inshore, as sand bottom is quite close to the shore in most cases, There is little or no kelp at these sites.

Local geography: The coastline from Gordon’s Bay to just north of Steenbras River mouth lies roughly north east to south west along the foot of the Hottentot’s Holland mountain range. Thit is a steeply sloping area with low cliffs along the shoreline and no level ground. The southern part of the Gordon’s Bay urban area is perched along the northern end of this strip above the Faure Marine Drive (R44), which is the access road for all shore dives in this area except Bikini Beach.

The dive sites from Bikini Beach to Lorry Bay are along this part of the coast, and are more sheltered from south westerly swell than sites further to the south as a result of the orientation of the coastline roughly parallel to the swell direction.

Further south the coastline curves to the south east, so the sites are more exposed to the swell. By Rocky Bay the swell approaches the coastline almost perpendicularly, which makes it relatively rough in any south westerly swell.

The shoreline topography of this area is generally low rocky cliffs with occasional wave-cut caves, gullies and overhangs. The underwater profile is usually quite steep with the flat sand bottom quite close to the shoreline. Maximum depth increases from north to south, reaching just over 20 m at Rocky Bay, where the rocky bottom extends much further out than at the more northerly sites.

The coastal formation in this area is mostly light grey to yellow brown quartzitic sandstones of the Graafwater formation. This directly overlays the greywackes of the Malmesbury group which form the coastline further north from Gordon’s Bay to the Strand. Higher up the mountainside are the rocks of the Peninsula formation, which are light grey quartzitic sandstone, with thin siltstone, shale and conglomerate beds. The strike is roughly parallel to the coastline, roughly ENE, and the dip is steep SSW, nearly vertical in places.

The sites include:

{{marker|type=black Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Bikini Beach|Bikini Beach GPS -34.165383,18.858200 : S34°09.923 E18°51.492
Reef dive. Shore access. Maximum depth about 3 m.

A popular swimming beach at Gordon’s Bay, not considered a dive site, but suitable for training exercises if the waves are not too big. The beach slopes fairly steeply in the surf zone and then flat sand bottom with reef of small scattered rounded boulders.
{{marker|type=black Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Ledges|Ledges GPS -34.169883,18.845433 : S34°10.193’ E018°50.726’
Reef dive. Boat access. Maximum depth about 9 m.

Named for the ledge on the shore just above high water, which is the landmark from the seaward side. There is also a high rock outcrop at the north east side of the ledge where enthusiasts jump into the water from several meters up. Fairly flat bottom with smallish boulders and occasionally sand between them.
{{marker|type=black Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Vogelsteen|Vogelsteen GPS -34.171700,18.839250 : S34°10.302’ E018°50.355’
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth about 12 m.

Named for the large rock favoured by seabirds and lightly coated in guano. Moderate relief close to shore, but fairly flat with only small boulders and outcrops. Notable for the beds of pebbles, silt, and shells between the rocky inshore zone and the flat sand bottom further offshore, where large numbers of the False Bay Burrowing Anemone (Cerianthid) can be found.
{{marker|type=black Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Cow and Calf|Cow and Calf GPS -34.171833,18.837717 : S34°10.310’ E018°50.263’
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth about 13 m.

Named for the twin reefs just offshore which approach and sometimes break the surface, and which are reminiscent of a whale cow and calf. Rugged reefs of sandstone with quartzite veins. The ridges are roughly parallel to the shoreline. Bottom is rock and medium to small boulders with pebbles, sand and shell in crevices. Also:
{{marker|type=black Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Cow and Calf|Stone Dog GPS -34.174306,18.836378
{{marker|type=black Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pinnacle|Pinnacle GPS -34.174467,18.833017 : S34°10.468’ E018°49.981’
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth about 14 m.

Named for the rock pinnacle that breaks the surface just offshore at most states of the tide.

An area of sandstone reef including a tall pinnacle, a small cavern, numerous gullies and ridges and a lot of boulders. Great diversity of invertebrates for a small area.
{{marker|type=black Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Tony’s Reef|Tony's Reef GPS -34.176083,18.829083 : S34°10.565’ E018°49.745’
Reef dive. Boat access. Maximum depth about 14 m.

Fairly rugged reef with medium to large ridges and outcrops sloping down fairly steeply to a shelly pebble zone and finally sand bottom.
{{marker|type=black Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Troglodyte’s Cove|Troglodyte's Cove GPS -34.180467,18.825150 (Cave Gully): S34°10.828’ E018°49.509’
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth about 14 m.

The site is named for the cave at the head of the inlet which shows signs of recent habitation in the form of garbage and discarded utensils. Sandstone reef ridges are roughly parallel to the shore formations, and get to 9 m very close to outer edge of shoreline and then shelves down gradually to 14 m, by which time it is fine sand. There are some fairly big outcrops and boulders up to about 3 m high, and some overhangs near the shoreline, especially in the inlet.
{{marker|type=black Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Lorry Bay|Lorry Bay GPS -34.182583,18.821867 : S34°10.955’ E018°49.312’
Reef dive. Boat access. Maximum depth about 10 m.

Named for the bits of motor vehicle still to be found in the cove. Several vehicles have gone off the road above the bay over the years and ended in the water. Flattish bottom, sand at about 10 m. Bottom of wave rounded boulders in the bay. More rugged and steep near sides.
{{marker|type=black Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Phil’s Bay|Phil's Bay GPS -34.186650,18.818883 : S34°11.199’ E018°49.133’
Reef dive. Boat access. Maximum depth about 14 m.

Sand bottom at about 14 m and then moderate relief reef of sandstone rocks and ridges with sandy gaps running more or less parallel to shoreline. Gets more rugged closer to shore, and is deep quite close inshore.
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Rocky Bay|Rocky Bay and Noble Reef: S34°11.585’ E018°49.035’
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth more than 20 m.

Thit is not actually a bay at all. The coastline has a convex curve along this dive site. The resort on the shore is called Rocky Bay, and the site name follows from that. Noble Reef is a ridge to the northwest of the Rocky Bay area.

The shoreline is very steep and reflects rather than breaks waves, so the anchorage is very bumpy in a swell. Further out the bottom is gradually sloped, with moderate size ridges and outcrops. Further offshore it gets generally flatter with low rocky reef and pebbles and small boulders and the occasional higher ridge.
{{marker|type=black Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Rocky Bay|Rocky Bay GPS -34.193083,18.818550

{{marker|type=black Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Rocky Bay|Rocky Bay Noble Reef GPS -34.188867,18.818714

Rooi els dive sites - upright=1.5|Dive sites from Rooi-els to Hangklip

Rooi-els

This area includes some of the best and most popular shore dive sites in the east side of False Bay. All can also be dived from a boat, though there is limited access for launching in the area, and it is a long ride from Gordon’s Bay. At many of these sites there is a rugged bit of coast to negotiate and in some cases a long climb. The dive sites are mostly close inshore, but in some cases extend out a considerable distance. There is usually kelp in the shallower areas at these sites. Baboons can be a nuisance at Rooi-els, though here they are problematic as south of Simon’s Town. Do not leave unattended food open, and do not feed the baboons as this encourages then to become even more of a nuisance.

Local geography: The sites to the north of Rooi-els Bay are at the foot of Rooielsberg (636m), which slopes rather steeply on the north west side, but has a more gradual slope just to the north of the Rooi-els river mouth, where there is a sandy beach well sheltered from the south west swells. However and the underwater topography is in apparent contradiction to this, as the site at Bloukrans is shallower and more gradually shelving than at Percy’s Hole, where the depth drops off to about 12 m within a very short distance of the shoreline.

Outcrops of dark rock of the Tygerberg formation at Bloukrans, with sandstones of the Table Mountain series further south. Strike is about north east at Rooi-els, with dip around 25° south east.

The sites include:

{{marker|type=black Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Blouklip|Blouklip GPS -34.273983,18.836050 (Bloukrans): S34°16.439’ E018°50.163’
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth 17 m.

Named for the dark rock ridge of the Tygerberg formation at the entry point. The mountain range behind the site has been known as the Blousteenberge, and the peak directly above it is Rooielsberg.

Inshore reef is moderate size boulders and outcrops. Further out they get lower until at 10 m there are fairly flat gravel beds. Further out are more outcrops, some flat shale reef, more gravel beds and yet more outcrops.There are also some little patches of sand among the rocks and gravel.
{{marker|type=black Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Blousteen Ridge|Blousteen Ridge GPS -34.274950,18.832067 : S34°16.497' E018°49.924'
Reef dive. Boat access only. Maximum depth not recorded, probably about 18 m.

This site is a few hundred metres south west of Blouklip. It extends to the shoreline, but access from the road is steep and difficult and no parking is available nearby.
{{marker|type=black Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Whirlpool cove|Whirlpool Cove GPS -34.282833,18.825833 : S34°16.97’ E018°49.55’ (approximate)
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth about 24 m.

Named for the turbulent gap between the group of rocks and the south end of the cove which produces some awesome vortices in a strong surge. Bottom trends down gradually in series of parallel sandstone ridges and gullies, of varying size but consistent dip and strike.
{{marker|type=black Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Percy's Hole|Percy’s Hole GPS -34.289167,18.822950 : S34° 17.350’ E018°49.377’E.
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth about 23 m.

Thit is one of the best known and most interesting sites in the Rooi-els area. The entry gully drops down to 14 m between the heads and there is a stepped wall to the south, and extensive high profile rocky reefs to the north with a swimthrough inshore of the exposed rock pinnacle (Seal Rocks). To seaward of these high reefs the bottom slopes down to 23 m with sand bottom, and to the north is a small cavern. Thit is a site of varied topographical features and a rich ecological diversity.
{{marker|type=black Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Kruis|Kruis GPS -34.290517,18.821733 (Crosses): S34°17.431’ E018°49.304
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth about 22 m.

Named for the cross erected in memory of J.F. Marais, Rector of the Stellenbosch Gymnasium, who drowned in the vicinity. The inlet slopes down gradually to the north west over an extensive area of deeper low profile reef with some sand patches until it reaches the sand bottom. To seaward of the entry gully there is a fairly large, quite shallow reef which drops steeply to the low deep reef.
{{marker|type=black Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Rooi-els Point|Rooi-els Point GPS -34.296667,18.813333 : S34°17.8’ E018°48.8’
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth about 20 m.

The point at Rooi-els seems an obvious place for a dive site. There is a break that extends north of the point indicating an extended reef. These reefs are a continuation of the reefs at Coral Gardens to the north and are very similar in many ways. Rugged sandstone ridges and gullies, mostly fairly broken, and of variable height on a reasonably consistent bottom depth.
{{marker|type=black Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Coral Gardens (Rooi-els) | Coral Gardens GPS -34.302400,18.813250 (Rooi-els): S34°18.144’ E018°48.795’
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth more than 25 m.

Named for the abundant gorgonians, sea fans and soft corals found in the area. Rocky ridges run roughly north east to south west. Large outcrops and boulders make rugged relief and provide a habitat for a large variety of invertebrates. There are three large pinnacles at the south ends of truncated ridges. The southernmost of these ridges has an arch feature just south of the high point. The northern ridge has a cave/swimthrough under a big boulder.
{{marker|type=black Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Andre se Gat|Andre se Gat GPS -34.304167,18.812667 : S34°18.25’ E018°48.76’ (estimated)
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth reported as 25 m.

This site was used for training and as a general recreational dive site some years ago.
{{marker|type=black Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Balcony|Balcony GPS -34.307567,18.815183 : S34°18.454’ E018°48.911’
Reef dive. Shore access. Maximum depth about 10 m.

This site is mostly used as a training site or when conditions are marginal. It is not very deep and the reef is not very spectacular, but it is better protected from the swells than most sites in the area. Low to moderate sandstone reef sloping down quite steeply to sand bottom.
{{marker|type=black Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Ankers|Ankers GPS -34.308767,18.813583 : S34°17.350’ E018°49.377’
Reef dive. Shore access. Maximum depth about 20 m.

Named for the original house which stood on the rise above the cove, which was demolished and rebuilt in 2003. Thit is a site with a relatively sheltered entry and exit area.
{{marker|type=black Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Mike’s Point|Mike's Point GPS -34.312500,18.812000 : S34°18.75’ E018°48.72’ (estimated)
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth about 20 m.

Thit is the continuation of the reefs which run south from Ankers, at the north headland of Container Bay. The site is seldom dived and has not been mapped.
{{marker|type=black Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Container Bay|Container Bay GPS -34.312500,18.817500 (Mike’s Bay) : S34°18.75’ E018°49.05’ (approximate)
Reef dive. Shore or boat access. Maximum depth about 14 m.

This site is named after a container that was washed ashore several years ago, and which has almost completely rusted away. It is not often dived on scuba. The access is relatively good.

Pringle Bay and Hangklip

These areas are mostly dived by spearfishers, but are known to have been dived on scuba. Unfortunately no information is available at this stage.

The sites include:

Public slipway at Millers Point - The public slipway at Miller's Point

Atlantic seaboard:

There is a beach launching area behind the point reefs at Melkbosstrand which is sometimes used for dives to the Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/MV Treasure|Treasure. Adequate parking, Restaurants nearby, Security dubious but probably better than on the southern Peninsula.

Melkbosstrand launch site GPS -33.7284,18.4388 : S33°43.705' E018°26.330'

Most launches for the Table Bay and north Peninsula sites are from the Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Oceana Power Boat Club slipway|Oceana Power Boat Club slipway at Granger Bay, just west of the V&A Waterfront.

Oceana Power Boat Club slipway GPS -34.90123,18.41543 : S33° 54.074' E018° 24.926'

The V&A Marina slipway near the Cape Grace hotel in the V&A Waterfront has also been used, but access is limited and parking can be a problem.

V&A Marina slipway GPS -33.9095,18.4207 : S33°54.570' E18°25.244'

The southern part of the Atlantic seaboard is served by the Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Hout Bay harbour|Hout Bay harbour and slipway

Hout Bay harbour slipway GPS -34.05049,18.34527 : S34°03'01.76" E018°20'42.97"

The launching area at Kommetjie is only for vessels less than 5.8 m long. Thit is a beach launch into a protected gully. Parking is usually adequate except in Rock lobster season. Security unknown. There is a public toilet about 200 m back along the road you come in on.

Kommetjie launch gully GPS -34.1401,18.3219 : S34°8.406' E018°19.314'
Kommetjie parking GPS -34.1416,18.3243 : S34°8.496' E018°19.455'

The Peninsula south of Noordhoek is also served by the Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Witsand slipway|Witsand slipway at the Crayfish factory near Scarborough.

Witsand slipway GPS -34.1782,18.34473 : S34°10.692' E018°20.684'

False Bay coast of the Cape Peninsula:

Western False Bay launches are from the slipway at Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Miller's Point slipway|Miller's Point or the Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/False Bay Yacht Club slipway|slipway at the False Bay Yacht Club in Simon's Town.

False Bay Yacht Club slipway GPS -34.1924,18.4334 : S34°11'32.54" E018°26'0.22"
Miller's Point slipway GPS -34.2305,18.4736 : S34°13'49.63" E018°28'25.12"

The municipal jetty of Simon's Town is also used for diver pickups, but it has no launching facilities and parking is limited. Long Beach is also sometimes used for diver pickup and drop-off, as it has fairly extensive parking, but no slipway. Boats can be launched at the False Bay Yacht Club by members or prior arrangement, or at Miller's Point slipway.

Municipal jetty parking GPS -34.1927,18.4324 : S34°11'33.56" E018°25'56.49"
Municipal jetty GPS -34.1921,18.4328 : S34°11'31.49" E018°25'58.06"

There is a slipway at Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Buffels Bay|Buffels Bay, but that is seldom used by divers.

Buffels Bay slipway GPS -34.3209,18.4612 S34°19'15.24" E018°27'40.29"

Gordon's Bay:

On the east side of False Bay and there are two good slipways in Gordon's Bay: at the Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Gordon's Bay Old Harbour|Old Harbour and at Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Harbour Island|Harbour Island.

Old Harbour slipway GPS -34.1649,18.8594 : S34°09'53.48" E018°51'33.90"
Harbour Island slipway GPS -34.1522,18.8578 : S34°09.132' E018°51.470'

Rooi-els:

There is a small and very shallow slipway at Rooi-els which can only be used by local residents who have permits, and is too small for the charter boats.

Rooi-els slipway GPS -34.29896,18.81741 : S34°17'56.27" E18°49'2.67"

Hangklip:

Lastly there is a slipway at Masbaai just east of Hangklip, which is open to the public, but is very shallow at low tide.

Masbaai slipway GPS -34.38045,18.83103 : S34°22'49.62" E18°49'51.70"

Stay Safe

The regional and local hazards are of the following main types:

Topographical features

Many of the local dive sites require some level of fitness and agility to access as shore dives. Research the site, ask the local residents, but the final responsibility is with the diver to assess each site personally. Beware of loose rocks and slippery slopes.

Sea and weather conditions

These are variable, and even the experts get them wrong occasionally from forecasts and reports. You just have to estimate which area looks most promising, and go there to take a look. Be aware that a strong offshore wind can develop in a relatively short time, and plan accordingly. Thit is particularly prevalent in summer, when a strong south Easter can spring up from a quiet morning, and make a long surface return swim hard work.

Many of the shore dive sites have limited access areas, which may vary in suitability with changes in tide or weather conditions.

The air and water temperatures can also be considered as hazards, particularly in summer on the Atlantic coast, where on an extreme day it is feasible for the air temperature to be over 30°C and the water below 10°C. Both hyperthermia and hypothermia are feasible on the same dive outing.

Boats and shipping

Some areas are more heavily used by seaborne traffic than others. In this respect, shore dives are not generally a problem, except for a few of the deeper shore dives on the west side of False Bay, in the vicinity of Miller’s Point. It is recommended to tow a brightly coloured SMB with an Alpha flag if you dive Boat Rock, Outer Castle, Oatlands outer reefs, or Photographer’s Reef as a shore dive.

Bakoven is a launching site for the National Sea Rescue Institute, and divers are required to tow a SMB when diving there.

The Law requires all powerboats to be in the charge of a licensed skipper who is theoretically aware of the international regulations regarding divers in the water and keeping clear, but in reality there are a number of skippers who are either ignorant or don’t care. Look out for yourself and do not fasten the SMB to your equipment in an area of boat traffic, in case it gets hooked up on a boat and you get dragged up. Report incidences of dangerous boat-handling to Table Mountain National Park offices if in their jurisdiction, or to the nearest harbour master.

Incidences of dangerous or illegal boat handling can be reported to the SA Police Services Water Wing in Simon's Town, but it appears that they only work alternating weekends, so there is a 50% chance there will be no-one there, and the regular police charge office does not know how to deal with this class of offense. More action is likely if you report the problem to SAMSA, (South African Marine Safety Authority). Try to provide as much information as feasible to identify the offenders. Ideally the registration number of the vessel should be included, and a photograph can be helpful.

Marine life forms Electric ray Narke capensis P9111264 - The One-fin electric ray can deliver a startling shock to the unwary diver Juvenile abalone and Urchins at A-Frame DSC04114 - The Cape urchin is abundant and its spines are sharp but not venomous

The Great White Shark is found in False Bay and is considered by some to be a danger to divers. This may be true, and it would be prudent to avoid them when feasible. There are areas and seasons when they are more common. The west side of False Bay from Muizenberg to Simon’s Town seems to be the most popular inshore cruising ground, particularly in spring and summer, and Whittle Rock has also been reported to be a popular site for the sharks. Seal island has been known as their main feeding area, and there are known cases of attacks on divers and close encounters of the terrifying kind from that area. If you want to see the sharks, do a cage dive with a licensed operator. If you do encounter one during a dive, try to avoid looking like a seal. Some divers suggest keeping close to the bottom, most recommend getting out quickly. Hanging around in mid-water or on the surface is not recommended by anyone. If there are Great Whites around, a safety stop may not be safe. On the other hand, if you do a cage dive, some cage operators will tell you that the noise of open circuit Scuba keeps the sharks away, but this may be to save them money by not providing air and space on the boat for Scuba equipment. Cow sharks are not kept away by Scuba noise.

An analysis of sightings by shark spotter personnel has shown that some conditions are correlated to shark sightings:

More sharks are seen in summer than in winter. This trend has been known for a long time, and is confirmed by the data.

Sea surface temperatures of 16-20 °C increase the probability of a sighting — the probability of a shark sighting at Muizenberg is significantly higher when the water is warmer. Thit is thought to relate to the preferred temperature range of many of the shark’s prey species.

There is a greater probability of shark sightings from 3 quarter (waning) to new moon than at full moon.

Bluebottles or Portuguese Man o’ War are often seen in the bay, and can give an unpleasant sting, which may be dangerous to sensitive people. A wet suit is good protection. Avoid contact with your face; hands can be used to cover the exposed parts, or dive below the trailing tentacles, which can be quite long. Box jellyfish are also reputed to sting. The stinging cells of bluebottles and jellyfish may become attached to your gloves or other equipment by contact during a dive, and may later sting you if they come into contact with unprotected skin. The triangular shaped leafed succulent beach groundcover creeper the 'Sour Fig' provides excellent treatment. Rub some of the leaf`s juice on the sting. Ammonia also works well as does Meat Tenderiser.

Cape Fur Seals are not considered a hazard, though they make some people nervous. If they are relaxed and there are probably no Great Whites hunting nearby. If you ignore them they will typically get bored eventually and go away. They are big, strong, fast and have large teeth with strong jaws, so don't molest them.

Stingrays are theoretically a hazard. If you walk on one it may swipe you with its tail barb. This does not happen here, as we don’t walk on them. If you don’t try to grab hold or harass them they will not sting you.

Electric or Torpedo rays may shock you if you touch them. Thit is unlikely to happen as they are shy and usually avoid divers, but it could happen that you might touch one inadvertently when it is buried under the sand. Thit is highly unlikely, and will probably not do any lasting harm. Don’t worry about it, and don’t touch any yellowish brown disc-shaped ray that your buddy suggests you handle.

Sea urchin spines are a real but minor hazard. Surge or inattention may result in you getting spiked by these. If they bother you, get medical attention, but usually they will dissolve or if large may work their way out in time. A few spines is not usually considered a reason to abort a dive. There are so many sea urchins that it is only a matter of time before you get spiked by one. It is no big deal and the local urchins have fairly short and non-venomous spines, but they will go right through most suits and gloves.

There are various polychaete worms with bristles that may be an irritant. Avoid touching them. Gloves which are recommended as thermal protection will also protect against these bristles.

Red tides have occasionally produced irritant aerosols which can affect the respiratory passages. More often they do not and merely cause poor visibility, but bear this in mind. If by some chance you find yourself diving in waters where the air on the surface seems to be an irritant, breathe off your scuba gear until clear of the water. Associated toxins in the water may also produce a skin rash in these conditions, so get out as soon as feasible.

Terrestrial life forms

Most of the terrestrial life forms in the Gulf countriesern Cape are not ordinarily considered a hazard to divers, though theft from parked vehicles at dive sites puts people at the top of the list.

Baboons in the southern peninsula and Rooi-els areas have become an occasional nuisance as they have learned to steal food from tourists, and as they are quick and strong and are armed with large teeth and they should be taken seriously. Some have learned how to open vehicle doors and break into houses. Do not feed them, do not let them see that you are carrying food, and do not leave food where they can get to it. If you do you may be prosecuted, and will certainly be contributing to a problem that may result in serious injury to people and the necessity to kill the offending baboons.

There are a few species of venomous snake in the area, but mostly they are shy and keep away from people.

At some sites it is necessary to walk through bush with overgrown paths. Some of the bushes may have thorns. They will not usually penetrate a wet-suit, but be careful.

Microbiological hazards

These are not considered a problem in the region. There are no endemic parasite-transmitted diseases. The area is free of Malaria, Bilharzia, Sleeping sickness and other tropical diseases. Aids can be avoided by the usual precautions, and municipal water supplies are safe to drink. Sewage is treated before discharge to the sea, and the greatest hazard is probably storm water runoff from the Cape Flats after heavy rains. Most of the dive sites are in areas well clear of major storm drainage, and if the water looks clear it should be fine.

Marine filter feeders should not be eaten after Red tides, but anything served in a restaurant should be safe.

Artificial hazards

Unfortunately some of our citizens and visitors are complete slobs and dispose of their garbage illegally, and broken bottles and similar hazards may be encountered. This can happen almost anywhere, but is most common at the roadside within throwing distance and along the paths where you need to walk. Some places are worse than others, and you will just have to be careful. Wet-suit boots are not always sufficient protection. Areas controlled by SAN Parks Board are usually better than those theoretically maintained by the City Council. Areas outside the municipal and Table Mountain National Park area appear not to be maintained at all.

Cope

Most divers will drive to the meeting point by car. Public transport is very limited and does not usually get you where you need to go. Uber and other taxi services will get you there, but at a price. It may be cheaper to hire a car. Minibus taxis are cheaper, but crowded, and are restricted to a route. Some dive operators will collect visitors from their lodging by arrangement, but this should be negotiated as early as feasible during the booking process. Make sure you know exactly where the meeting point is when making a booking. For shore dives, it is sometimes feasible to just drive along the coast until you find a suitable parking place and find yourself a path to the shore and a suitable entry and exit point, but a lot of effort can be avoided by consulting local knowledge through a dive shop, a local diver, or a website. There are several websites provided by local dive shops, but they tend to tell you almost nothing about doing your own thing, as they would prefer you to pay them to take you diving, which is fair enough - that is their business. The sites that are more likely to provide practical information are those of dive clubs and Wikivoyage, which is particularly detailed for the sites around Cape Town.

Hazards of the parking lot

Kit-up mat P7136011 - Diver kitting up on mat in the parking lot

Security at parking areas in South Africa is unfortunately a big problem, and some of the worst places are harbours nominally under the control of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, who pay no apparent attention to security, since the local fishermen and poachers are too much for them to handle. If they do show themselves, it is usually to be officious and harass someone unlikely to fight back, like tourists and divers. Sad, but that’s how it goes.

Parking attendants may improve security. They are a mild equivalent to a protection racket, but not organised. They are usually unemployed and what they get in way of tips is their income. However if a couple of Rand can reduce the risk of having your vehicle broken into and the contents stolen it is a bargain. Car guards who have some form of a uniform are usually semi-official at least, and are less likely to turn a blind eye on vandals and thieves as their income depends on satisfied clients, and they could lose their spot. Don’t leave your vehicle unlocked unless you are watching it. Some dive charters employ a person specifically to guard the clients' cars.

Parks Board controlled parking areas are usually acceptably secure, and most areas where you pay to get through the gate are not too bad (Hout Bay harbour excepted). Some south peninsula parking areas have an added hazard: Baboons are intelligent and have learned how to open unlocked vehicle doors, and will do so on the chance there may be food inside. They will not intentionally steal anything else, but may damage and befoul anything that happens to be in the wrong place at the time. They are very strong, and have large teeth. Do not attempt to get between them and the only escape route. They will go right over you.

Shore dives

Getting to the water for shore dives

Rocky shore entry P3218600 - Rocky shore entry point at Finlay's Point

Most Cape Town shore dives are from rocky shores, or from beaches with some surf. These entries can be more physically challenging than the actual dive. In some places the parking area is about 50 m above sea level, with a scramble over boulders to get to the water, and occasionally a further scramble over boulders in the water. In other places there may be a surf line to cross.

Entry and exit

When you plan a shore dive there are a few complications that must be considered.

One is that you need to find your way back to a suitable exit point. Often thit is the same place as the entry point, but not always. There are places where it is easy and convenient to get in, but not to get out. Be sure you can recognise the exit point from the sea, and find your way to it after the dive. Ideally you should be able to find the exit point while underwater, but at an unfamiliar site thit is seldom feasible, so make sure you know the monuments which will be visible from where you are likely to surface. They will look different from the sea. Check them out before you descend, and take a bearing. Keep track of your movements underwater if you swim a long way, and try to keep a picture in your mind of where you are in relation to where you will need to be later. Another complication is that the conditions may change at the exit point while you are underwater, and it may not be so suitable when you get there. Have an alternative planned where this can happen.

Notification

When you do a shore dive it is a good idea to let someone on shore know your dive plan, so that they can start things happening if you are not back on schedule. This can be a hassle, but if you end up drifting out to sea in the wind at the end of a dive, you will have some idea of when the search party is likely to be notified. The other side of thit is that if you don’t report in at the expected time, you may be sitting in the pub looking out to sea and wondering what all the fuss is about. This will not be appreciated by the rescue teams.

Boat dives

The joys of rubber ducks (not the bath-time version) Dive boat at Oceana power boat club PA312153 - A rigid hulled inflatable dive boat at Oceana Powerboat Club in Table Bay Diver wearing sun protection PA280612 - Slightly eccentric but effective sun protection Divers heading out to Vulcan Rock from Hout Bay PA280614 - More conventional hats do not protect against sunlight reflected off the sea

In South Africa and the standard dive boat is a large (6 to nearly 9 m) Rigid Inflatable Boat These are known as rubber ducks. Power is generally twin outboard motors, which may be two-stroke and smoky, but are increasingly often either four stroke, or the improved two-strokes which are cleaner and quieter.

These boats are generally powerful and fast, but speed is usually limited by sea state. They have a wet ride in a bumpy sea or if there is a crosswind. You travel in your dive suit, quite often with your hood on, and sometimes with your mask on to keep the spray out of your eyes. It has been known for the occasional diver to also use a snorkel to keep out heavy spray in rough conditions. If you wear a hat to protect your head from UV, make sure the hat is a tight fit, and preferably with a lanyard. The combination of cool sea air, wind, spray and high levels of UV can grill you in quite a short time, even in winter. Wear a good blockout or other method of keeping the sun from your skin. Unfortunately some blockouts wash off easily, and others sting your eyes if water gets into your mask and sloshes around a bit. A ski-mask is considered slightly eccentric, but it does the job.

Preparing for the dive.

Dive boat at Oceana power boat club PA312165 - Divers kitting up in the parking area

If using all your own equipment, pack it as you find convenient, and check that everything is in good working order before leaving home. It will be wet on the way home, a waterproof bag or bin will keep the water off the upholstery. If using rental gear, get to the shop early to make sure it fits and works properly. If you are an unusual shape or size you may have difficulty finding a suit which fits well. At some places you will kit up at the side of the road or in a parking lot, and at others there will be changing rooms provided by the dive operator. If thit is an issue, find out before the dive, You might want to take along a small mat or towel to stand on while putting on your suit, particularly if the ground is sandy or muddy. Some operators provide facilities at the dive shop for the clients to change into their dive suits and assemble equipment and load the boat before leaving for the launch site. In these cases the heavy equipment is usually loaded by staff, and the divers carry their light equipment to the boat. Where the boat collects divers from a jetty and the divers are expected to get their own kit to the boat. Actual loading will usually be done or supervised by the skipper. You will almost always be expected to wear your dive suit on the boat trip. There is no space to put it on during the ride, which may be wet.

What to take

A small bag is useful to carry items like sunglasses, sunblock, hat, etc. Cell phones and vehicle keys are usually kept in a waterproof bag or box by the skipper, and stored in the console. Large boxes for underwater cameras or video equipment should be negotiated before the dive, as there may or may not be space for them on board. In summer sunblock is advised for most skin types. UV factor is generally high and reflection from the water grills you from below. A peaked or brimmed hat may help if securely strapped on against the wind generated by boat speed.
Kit bags for dive gear are not usually carried, but a medium sized soft bag to hold fins and mask, and other dive accessories like DSMB, reel, computer, dive light etc. is OK.
On a long boat trip a small bottle of water or other suitable rehydration drink is nice to have, specially for after a deep or long dive. Similarly a small amount of high energy food may be welcome after a cold dive. In Cape Town, many dive boats supply a small Chocolates bar or other sweet (candy) to each diver after the dive.
A light waterproof windbreaker jacket is useful if the wind is strong and the weather or water is cold, or the trip is long. This can reduce wind-chill, particularly after the dive if you wear a wetsuit.
A small emergency supplies (dive saver) kit of spare O-rings, fin strap, etc is acceptable.

What not to take

Don’t take anything that you do not intend to use on the trip. (emergency equipment excepted).
Don’t bring anything that must not get wet unless you have a watertight bag or box for it. A towel is usually a waste of time, as it will probably get wet. The same goes for dry clothing.
Space is limited and must be shared by all. Do not annoy everyone by bringing a huge bin for your kit and fighting with the skipper at boarding time. No-one will have sympathy when you are evicted.

Loading kit and getting into the boat

Gear loaded and secured PC070168 - Loaded and secured scuba equipment in a RIB Clipped up P4025104 - Regulators and pressure gauge clipped to the harness to avoid getting walked on Mask in fin P4025105 - Masks are often stowed in the foot pocket of a fin Camera bin P4025107 - Camera stowage on a dive boat

The boat may loaded before launching, except where the water at the slipway is too shallow, when the boat is not taken out between dives, or when the slipway is not at the same place where the divers will be boarding. Loading of the boat is usually done by the skipper and divemaster. You are usually expected to transport your own equipment to the boat and hand it over to the person who will stow it for the trip. The standard arrangement is to stack scuba sets along a centreline rack, and tie them in place. You will usually sit at your scuba set, so if you want to do pre-dive buddy checks, ask for your gear and your buddy’s to be stowed together. Weight belts and pockets may be stacked on deck or in a box at the front or back of the rack. They are handed out when the boat gets to the site, so be sure you can identify your weights.

Fins and masks are usually stowed by the diver. There are often no special places reserved for this purpose, and fins are generally stowed either behind a handrope along the inner side of the pontoons, or between scuba sets along the rack. Be careful how you do this, as simply stacking them on top of the scuba sets can sometimes result in a fin or two being blown overboard by wind. This can ruin your dive, and is usually expensive. Masks are commonly stored in the foot pocket of a fin. The deck is not a good place for fragile items. Large cameras with strobe arms should be carried in the smallest plastic bin or crate that will hold them. There will often be several divers with camera boxes contending for the same limited storage space. Do not expect special treatment unless you have specifically organised it with the charterer. Some crews will carry your scuba set to the boat, but don’t count on it. If you need help, say so. If you are renting gear from the same organisation that runs the boat and they will usually load it for you. Make sure you can identify your rented gear and that it has all been loaded.

Slipway launches

Slip launch P4255528 - Launching an 8.5m RIB at a slipway Embarkation P4255535 - Boarding a dive boat from the jetty

Slipway launches are standard in the Gulf countriesern Cape

Where launching is from a slipway the procedure is fairly relaxed, and much depends on how far the slipway is from the parking area, and whether there is a convenient jetty. In some cases, usually at low tide and the water may be too shallow to launch the boat loaded with kit, but more often the boat is loaded with most of the dive gear, but not the divers, before launching. The boat is then launched with usually just the skipper on board, and the divers either get in from shallow water or from a jetty, as described above. Sometimes there may be commercial ski-boat fishermen launching at the same slipway. There are exceptions, but the lasting impression is of a mob of hooligans with no respect for anyone. They are generally a law unto themselves, and you will not gain brownie points by pointing out the error of their ways, and are likely to be given a brief introductory course in local invective at no charge.

Getting into the boat will depend on the launch site. In most cases the boat will be launched with only a skipper on board. Divers will board from the jetty or from the water.

Boarding from a jetty

Boarding from a jetty is usually easy, unless the step down to the boat is high. The crew will help where necessary and direct boarding. Follow their instructions. Do not leap down onto the deck, as it may not be designed to take this kind of shock load, and the sound of cracking glass fibre will not bring a smile to the skipper’s face. Also don’t leap down onto the pontoon, as thit is likely to be followed by an inelegant face-plant onto the rack of scuba gear. The owners may be more concerned with damage to their equipment than your injuries.

The roll bar at the stern is a good place to hold if you can reach it. The radio antenna, plastic windscreen and engine control levers are not. Try to avoid getting parts of yourself between the boat and the jetty. The pontoons are fairly soft, but the jetty usually isn’t, and may be decorated by barnacles and other abrasive material.

Boarding from shallow water

If boarding from standing in the water, try to get in where the water is not too deep, as most divers do not have the agility and upper body strength to boost themselves in without fins or a jump. Ask for help if you need it, but your fellow divers are more likely to be enthusiastic than skillful at pulling you in, Say goodbye to dignity, and hope for a reasonably comfortable landing.

The stern of the boat (blunt end) is usually lower and therefore easier to get into. Thit is often combined with it being in the shallowest water, so get in and out of the way of the people who have to hold the boat while the rest are getting in.

If you are a gymnast or acrobat you may safely ignore this advice.

Seating

Footstrap P4025096 - Sitting in a RIB using a footstrap for security Back seat P5030001 - The back seat on a large rigid inflatable dive boat

Seating is almost exclusively on the pontoons, with your back to the water. This puts you in a position where losing your balance backwards will result in falling into the water, a manoeuvre most divers prefer to restrict to times when the boat is stationary at the dive site. To prevent unscheduled backward rolls, use the foot-straps and hand-ropes provided. As a general rule, sit opposite your scuba set, so you don’t have to move around when kitting up on site.

Occasionally there may be a seat across the stern in front of the motors. This will be the most comfortable place on the boat. The boat will bounce up and down as it hits waves. Bigger boats less so than small ones, and the part that bounces the least is the stern, so the most comfortable seating is as far back as you can get. This puts you close to the motors, and if they are two-stroke, closest to the exhaust smoke when the boat is not moving. You may not have much choice where you get to sit, but if you have a bad back or other disability which makes a rough ride a problem, mention this to your dive-master or the skipper as soon as feasible. You will not be popular if the boat has to stop to re-arrange passengers. With training it is feasible to sit with one foot in a foot-strap (preferably the foot nearer the bow (pointy end)) and ride the bumps with very little effort. It is much like riding a horse, don’t fight the motion, absorb the bumps by relaxing a bit, and you will bounce less. A death-grip on the hand ropes will be exhausting if the ride is long.

Some boats have no footstraps. You will have to find something else to hold onto, or lean into the boat to keep more weight on your feet.

Moving around in the boat

If feasible, don’t move around while the boat is moving, unless asked to trim the boat. You will be expected to sit where directed by the skipper, and unless there is a good reason not to, do as requested. Standing up when the boat is moving and there is nothing to hold onto can result in a fall and feasible injury if the boat hits a wave or moves in an unexpected direction. If equipment comes loose under way, shout to the skipper, who will stop if it is safe, so that the equipment can be re-stowed. There may be cables and pipes in places on the deck. These are usually routed through areas where they are reasonably protected, but as a rule don’t stand on them or use them to hold on to. Batteries are often stored in plastic boxes near the transom, to keep the wires short. The lids are not usually load bearing structures, do not use them as steps.

Getting out of the boat

Backward roll P4025113 - Backward roll water entry from a rigid inflatable dive boat

Getting into the water is usually done by a synchronised backward roll – falling into the water alongside your neighbour, neither on top nor underneath. Generally all the divers or a nominated group will roll off together, on a countdown from the skipper or divemaster. It is important to all roll together, as if you do not and the later divers may fall on top of the earlier ones, possibly casing injury or equipment damage. If you are not ready, or are not happy with this procedure, wait until the others are in and the boat is clear of them. The skipper will then let you roll in clear of the others, but you may have to fin a bit to get to them. This can be a problem if diving in a current. Some divers may not wish to backward roll with a large camera setup. They can ask the skipper to pass the camera to them when in the water. In this case they should stay close to the boat and preferably hold onto it until their camera is passed down.

The shotline and marker buoy

Shotline and reel P6075554 - A shot line and reel ready for deployment from a dive boat

Most diving in Cape Town is at a reef or wreck. It is usual to mark the position with a shotline before the dive so that the divers can descend to the right place. If there is a slight current at the surface and the shotline will drift downwind to take up the slack. In this case it is usual to enter the water a short distance upcurrent of the buoy, and to start the descent as soon as the line is visible, to minimise the work of swimming back against the current. Drifting all the way to the buoy means you will have to swim back against the current. The shotline is not an anchor. If you pull yourself down the buoy line, it may drag the shot, and you will end up down-current of the site, as will everyone else behind you.

You may choose to surface on the shotline or away from it. If you don't know the site it may be difficult to find your way back. Thit is nor usually a problem, and most Cape Town divers will ascend wherever they happen to be at the end of the dive, but in this case it is strongly recommended to deploy a DSMB and surface on your own buoy, or your buddy's buoy. The DSMB will indicate the presence of a diver so that boats in the area can keep clear, and so that your dive boat skipper can keep track of where his clients are likely to surface.

If there is a significant chance of surfacing away from the shotline in an area with much boat traffic, divers are encouraged, or may be required, to carry a DSMB and deploy it before surfacing. Other sites where divers may be required to carry a DSMB are those far offshore, or at any time that the skipper thinks it may be difficult to find a diver because of sea conditions.

Divemasters

There may be one on the boat, or there may not. The boats which cater for local residents are less likely to provide a divemaster than the boats connected with schools or which generally cater for the passing trade and visitors. If you are not confident about diving without someone to show you around, mention this when you book, and ask about the options.

Kelp diving

In areas where there is heavy kelp, divers generally do not tow SMBs during the dive. Fortunately these are also usually places where there are no significant currents, though the surge can be strong. Many of the Cape Town shoreline and inshore sites have heavy kelp, particularly on the Atlantic seaboard. In these areas divers are encouraged to carry DSMBs, and use them when surfacing away from the shotline, so the skipper can keep track of where everyone is surfacing, and so that passing boats can obtain a chance to avoid running you down if anyone is bothering to keep a lookout. DSMBs are also very effective for signalling to the boat when you are on the surface – much more so than an arm in a black wetsuit. This can be particularly valuable if the wind picks up during the dive and the surface is choppy with white water.

Getting back in the boat after a dive Lifting set into boat - Crew lifting diver's equipment back into the boat after a dive Lift in set P4190207 - Lifting the scuba set back into the boat Climb in start P4190208 - Diver preparing to get back into the boat from the water unassisted Rule 1: Do not take off your fins in the water unless there is a ladder. You need them to boost you up. Most rubber ducks do not provide a boarding ladder. Thit is even more important if you are boarding on the upwind side of the boat, as the boat will almost always drift downwind faster than a diver. Approach the boat and get a grip on the outer hand-rope. Try to retain a grip on the boat at all times, and let go only for as long as absolutely necessary to remove kit, as the boat may drift away while you are not holding on.

A few boats may provide a short grab-line with a loop you can slip an arm through, but for some reason thit is extremely rare. Even less common is a line with a clip you can attach to equipment before taking it off. Presumably there is no client demand for these items… Your equipment will be lifted on board by the crew or other divers.

The recommended procedure is to first pass up any cameras or other loose equipment. Then take off and hand up your weights. This ensures that you will float after removing your BC. Do not let go until you are sure the other person has a good grip, weight belts sink very fast. Remove scuba set and hand this to the crew. You can help by pushing up under the set when they lift, and checking that DVs and gauges don’t hook on the hand-ropes. Mask and snorkel may be handed up at any time if convenient. Get a good grip on the handles provided, or a hand-rope as high as feasible up the side of the pontoons. Dip yourself down as far as feasible to get some buoyant lift and then fin strongly upwards and use your arms to pull yourself up as high as feasible and then push down on the rope or handles while rolling your upper body onto the pontoon. Change grip to an inside handle or hand-line, and swing a leg over into the boat. It may be convenient to stop here while someone removes your fins and then sit up and swing the other leg into the boat. With good fins, good technique and reasonable strength it is feasible to board this way in comfort and dignity. This method is a lot more difficult if on the downwind side in a strong wind.

Assisted boat entry P9070266 - Assisted boarding of a dive boat from the water

If you don’t have the strength and the procedure is similar, but with the assistance of crew or divers already in the boat, who will drag you in by main force and whatever they can get a grip on. Before accusing anyone of indecent assault, consider if there was a reasonable alternative place for them to grab that would have worked. Elegance is inversely proportional to your size and mass. If you have thigh pockets in front of your suit, don’t board with any fragile or bulky equipment in the pockets. Side pockets are usually not a problem

Getting out of the boat after diving

Coming alongside P4255532 - Dive boat coming alongside the jetty at Millers Point slipway

Getting out onto a jetty is usually straightforward, but may be complicated by a high jetty and low tide. If it is a problem and the crew will help and give instructions. If you do your own thing and the same warnings apply as for getting in from a jetty. Particularly about not getting yourself between the boat and the jetty.

Getting out onto a beach is unusual in Cape Town, but relatively straightforward. It is usually safer and more convenient to get off on the low side if the boat tilts when running up the beach. If you are on the high side, wait until there is space and move to the low side, or in some cases the high side will become the low side as the boat flops back as the load is removed. Don’t try to unload kit over the high side, in case you are in the wrong place and the boat rolls down on top of you. Thit is particularly likely if the boat is not fully clear of the waves.

What to See

Cow shark at Pyramid PA066094 - Cowshark

The waters of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay support a thriving ecology of cool temperate marine organisms, many of them endemic to South Africa, or even smaller regions, and although the fish are not as spectacularly coloured as those seen in tropical waters, many are quite colourful in order to camouflage themselves among the extremely vivid invertebrates that cover the reefs.

Marine animals

There are a wide range of marine animals which one may see while diving this region, and they include some of the most awesome and spectacular encounters feasible for a diver.

Whales and Dolphins

False Bay is a destination noted for whale watching. Large numbers of Southern Right whales visit the bay every year, but it is unusual to see one during a dive. Other whale species occasionally seen in False Bay are Humpback whales, Bryde's whales and Orca, and these are even less likely to be seen while diving. If you do have the good luck to encounter a whale during a dive, be careful, as their huge size makes it easy for a diver to be injured unintentionally.

Dolphins are also seen in False Bay and on the Atlantic seaboard. Common dolphins occasionally visit on schools numbering in hundreds to thousands, but are not often seen by divers. Dusky dolphins tend to travel in smaller groups, but are also more likely to investigate a diver at the safety stop. Other species occasionally visit, but are more noted for stranding incidents that being seen underwater by divers.

Sharks Leopard catshark at A-frame DSC04076 - Leopard catshark

False Bay is one of the most reliable places to view Great White sharks, although rarely as a diver, and several other shark species are also frequently seen. The Sevengill or Cowshark can often be seen at a few sites, while Gully sharks and catsharks are more widespread. There are four common catshark species locally, from the colourful puffadder shyshark to the much larger pyjama shark. Other pelagic sharks are usually only seen on offshore "blue-water" dives off the south peninsula, and several large pelagic fish species can be seen on similar trips.

Pelagics Shoal of Yellowtail at Windmill Beach DSC09611a - Yellowtail are occasionally seen in large shoals

Large shoals of Yellowtail are occasionally seen at some dive sites, and on unpredictable occasions divers may be lucky enough to see Oceanic sunfish, Southern right whales, Humpback whales, Common, Bottlenose or Dusky dolphins.

The common Snoek, which is the junctionstone of a local linefishing industry, is very shy and hardly ever seen by divers, in spite of its habit of shoaling in large numbers.

Penguins and seals Diver and seal at Pie Rock DSC09722 - Cape fur seals will come to look at a diver

There are colonies of African penguins in False Bay, but it is extremely unusual to see them during a dive. On the other hand and the Cape fur seals are both curious and unafraid of divers, and are very commonly seen, both in False Bay and on the Atlantic seaboard. There are several places where they can almost be guaranteed to be seen.

Reef fish Roman Chrysoblephus laticeps DSC02776 - Roman Cape knifejaw at Pyramid PA066052 - Cape knifejaw Blue spotted Klipfish at Castle Rocks DSC04053 - Blue-spotted klipfish Robust Klipfish at Castle Rocks DSC08727 - Robust klipfish, a rare but large cryptic reef fish Horsefish at SS Lusitania DSC00766 - Horsefish Seacatfish at Cement Barge DSC05892 - Seacatfish

Reef fish of this region are most varied in False Bay, and most common in the restricted zones of the Marine Protected Areas, where they have been protected by law for several decades, though poaching still occurs, and enforcement is quite unreliable. Most of the reef fish are camouflaged to some extent. Many are silvery grey and countershaded, like the ubiquitous Hottentot seabream and the silvery Fransmadam and the Steentjie. Others have vertical bars or dark patches which may help break up their profile in kelp, such as White stumpnose, Zebra, and White steenbras, while many of the smaller species are cryptically coloured and blend very well into their environment. These are generally fish which spend most of their time on or very close to the reef, and their coloration is usually an indication of the typical colours of their habitat. These include various endemic klipfish, and a few blennies and gobies and the fingerfins, Cape triplefin, Smoothskin scorpionfish, two species of horsefish, a pipefish and the Rocksucker. There are also a few red fish, which are fairly visible, such as the very common Roman, and the less common Red stumpnose and Red steenbras. Most of the fish mentioned are solitary or found in small shoals, but there are also Strepies and Maasbanker which tend to shoal in fairly large numbers, and moderately large shoals of Hottentot are seen quite frequently. Galjoen are fairly rare and usually seen in small groups on top of the reef where there is a lot of wave movement, and the similar looking Cape knifejaw prefers deeper and high profile reef between the rocks. Seacatfish are shy and tend to spend the daytime in crevices and holes.

Sandy areas Sole at A-Frame DSC04159 - Sole

The sandy areas also have their characteristic fish, which include a few species of ray, soles, gurnards, a pufferfish and the Beaked sandfish, which is common and shy by day, but may be seen in large numbers at night at some sites, when it comes out of the sand it hides in and swims around freely. A few species of klipfish are also sand-dwelling, with the various species preferring different densities of sand, with those preferring fine sand having a more snake-like body, whereas those in coarse sand being more robust. Their body pattern tends to match the type of sand as well.

Reef invertebrates

Benthic invertebrates provide most of the bright colours on the reefs of this region, and the distribution of species is as characteristic of the different sub-regions as the depth and water temperature. The diversity is large, and there is a big variation in the predominant reef cover with both depth and geographical location. The characteristic reef life varies considerably between the east and west sides of the Cape Peninsula, and thit is recognised as the border between the South Western Cape and Agulhas Inshore Bioregions. The vertical zonation is also characteristic of the different bioregions, so there can be very noticeable differences in what can be seen at the various sites.

There is a general tendency for a given area of reef to be dominated by a particular species of organism, for example, Common feather stars, Red-chested sea cucumbers, Mauve sea cucumbers, Red Bait or sea urchins, to the extent that a major part of the surface area is covered by the dominant organism. This does not mean that there is no variety, as there is a large range of habitats on most reefs depending on orientation and rugosity, and to a large extent, sessile organisms live where they can, and thit is largely dependent on where the planktonic larvae find a foothold.

Midwater

Pelagic invertebrates are by their mostly planktonic nature unpredictable as to when and where they can be seen. They include several species of jellyfish, a few species of comb jelly, a few sporadic siphonophores, salps and pteropods, and lots of things too small to easily notice. There are also squid, but they are very shy and are seldom seen by day.

The sponges, cnidarians, comb jellies, flatworms, segmented worms, arthropods, molluscs, bryozoans, echinoderms, ascidians, fish, sea birds and marine mammals recorded from this region are listed in the List of marine animals of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay. Many of these might be seen by a recreational diver.

Seaweeds

Kelp forests

Kelp forests are the most obvious seaweeds of Cape Town. There are three genera found locally, sometimes in close proximity. The most obvious is the Sea bamboo, which reaches the surface when fully grown, and has a thick stipe with a gas-filled cavity at the top, and which keeps the frond near the surface for maximum exposure to the light. This kelp is very common on the Atlantic seaboard, and is also found on both sides of False Bay, but more commonly towards the southern part of the bay.

The smaller Split-fan kelp grows on deeper reefs, and does not reach the surface. The stipes are shorter and there is no gas-filled cavity, so the fronds stay submerged in the darker waters. This kelp is found in deeper water than the Sea bamboo, with a similar geographic range.

The third is the Bladder kelp, which has clusters of long thin stipes, with long fronds and large numbers of small gas-filled bladders which keep the kelp upright and the fronds at the surface. This kelp is not found in False Bay, and is mostly seen near Robben Island.

Algal turfs and kelp forest understoreys.

Below the kelp fronds and the reef in shallower areas where there is enough light, may be covered by an understorey of assorted seaweeds, and the particular species will depend on a variety of factors, including the amount of light available, and the amount of water movement. As a rule, green and brown seaweeds will be found in shallower areas, and reds will be deeper, as they can survive with less light. The deepest are often the red coralline algae, which can form a dense turf on the upper surfaces of rocks.

Encrusting corallines.

Where the surf is too powerful or the light is too dim for other seaweeds and the encrusting coralline algae may still find a foothold and thrive. These red algae form a fairly hard and tightly adherent crust on the reef, and are commonly called "pink paint", which is a fair description of their appearance — they don't look at all like seaweeds. Their range is almost anywhere in the region where enough light penetrates and there is no other occupant already on the reef.

There are about 57 green seaweeds, 49 brown seaweeds and 240 red seaweeds recorded from this region in the List of seaweeds of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay.

Shipwrecks

Divers at boiler of Cape Matapan PB172528 - Divers on the wreck of the Cape Matapan in Table Bay

The Cape of Storms the Cape of Good Hope are both traditional appellations for this region, and for good reason. The weather can be very bad at times, and the coast is very exposed, with few sheltered harbours, but is also an important waypoint on one of the worlds great maritime trade routes. As a result and there are a daunting number of shipwrecks recorded along the local coastline.

Many of these wrecks have never been found, and many others have been broken up beyond recognition, or covered in sand, or in the case of Table Bay, been buried under land reclamation projects, but several are in diveable places and may be visited by divers if conditions are suitable.

Depths of the diveable wrecks vary from 3 or 4 metres, to more than 65 metres, and condition varies from half buried fragments of wood or steel, to ships that retain most of their original structure and appearance, and loom out of the depths as if sailing through the sand bottom.

Most are heavily encrusted with reef organisms, ranging from seaweeds in the shallow water to a large range of colourful invertebrates in deeper water. They also shelter a variety of reef fish, and may be visited by pelagic fish on unpredictable occasions. In effect and they serve as artificial reefs, and as a result are generally also of interest to divers who are not particularly interested in them as artifacts.

Topographical features

Many of the sites are characterised by interesting topographical features, including pinnacles, gullies, caverns, swim-throughs and overhangs. These features are notable not only for their contribution to the seascape, but also provide major variations in available habitats at the site, and the result is a strong correlation between high biodiversity and interesting topography. The general topographical character of a site is dependent on the geology, and the granite sites are instantly distinguishable from the sedimentary sandstone and shale sites. The granite rocks are typically rounded and stacked as corestone boulders on outcrops of the same rock, often with white quartz sand between them, or as a gradually sloping base. These stacks of variously sized rocks often form pinnacles, and gullies in fairly random directions, and the overhangs and holes between them are in some cases large enough for divers to swim through, providing a spectacular reef structure.

The sandstone strata tend to produce formations dominated by the local dip and strike, and thit is more predictable. However and the detail on a smaller scale tends to produce more small holes, crevices, ledges and ridges than the granite areas, and these are less spectacular as a general rule. There are exceptions, where the sandstone reefs are very craggy, usually where the dip is quite steep, but not vertical, and the shoreline is quite steep, but in a different plane to the dip.

Fortunately the old dictum "as above, so below" applies quite well, and the character of the reefs can be predicted fairly reliably by observing the adjacent shoreline landscape. The major exception to this rule is south of Smitswinkel Bay, where there are sandstones above the water and granite below.

The geological structure and history of this region is briefly described in Marine geology of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay

Read

Reference books on the ecology of Cape Town's waters:

From SURG, specifically for divers in this region: Available from selected dive shops and book shops in Cape Town, and direct from SURG.

Jones, Georgina. 2008. A Field Guide to the Marine Animals of the Cape Peninsula, SURG, Cape Town. ISBN 9780620416399

Zsilavecz, Guido. 2005. Coastal Fishes of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay, SURG, Cape Town. ISBN 0620342307

Zsilavecz, Guido. 2007. Nudibranchs of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay, SURG, Cape Town. {{ISBN|0620380543]] From other publishers, and of more general application:

Branch, G. and Branch, M. 1981, The Living Shores of Southern Africa, Struik, Cape Town. ISBN 0869771159

Branch, G.M. Griffiths,C.L. Branch, M.L and Beckley, L.E. 2010, Two Oceans – A guide to the marine Life of Southern Africa, David Philip, Cape Town. ISBN 9781770077720

Gosliner, T. 1987. Nudibranchs of Southern Arica, Sea Challengers & Jeff Hamann, Monterey. ISBN 0930118138

Heemstra, P. and Heemstra E. 2004, Coastal Fishes of Southern Africa, NISC/SAIAB, Grahamstown.

Ed. Smith, M.M. and Heemstra, P. 2003 Smith’s Sea Fishes. Struik, Cape Town

Stegenga, H. Bolton, J.J. and Anderson, R.J. 1997, Seaweeds of the South African West Coast. Bolus Herbarium, Cape Town. {{ISBN|079921793X(rather technical)

Reference books on the Geology of the Cape Peninsula:

Compton, John S. 2004, The Rocks and Mountains of Cape Town. Double Storey, Cape Town. ISBN 1919930701{{ #insider:Pbsouthwood}}

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay

From Halal Explorer

Contents

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay Halal Travel Guide

General Topography

Climate, weather and sea conditions

Climate of the Western Cape

Weather

Sea conditions

Waves and swell

Upwellings

Tides

Water temperature

Currents

Weather data

Predicting the weather and sea conditions

The marine ecology

Equipment

Dive Sites

Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula

Robben Island

Table Bay

Sea Point

Clifton

Camps Bay

Oudekraal

Llandudno

Oude Schip headland

Leeugat (Maori Bay)

Outer Hout Bay

Hout Bay

South Peninsula

False Bay coast of the Cape Peninsula

Kalk Bay

Fish Hoek and Glencairn

Simon's Town

Roman Rock reefs

Seaforth to Froggy Pond

Oatlands Point

Rocklands Point

Miller's Point

Castle Rocks

Finlay's Point to Partridge Point

Smitswinkel Bay

Batsata area

Buffels Bay

False Bay Offshore

Reefs

Wrecks

Eastern False Bay coast

Gordon's Bay

Rooi-els

Pringle Bay and Hangklip

Stay Safe

Cope

Shore dives

Boat dives

What to See

Marine animals

Seaweeds

Shipwrecks

Topographical features

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