Difference between revisions of "Diving the Tsitsikamma/Rheeder's Reef"

Revision as of 23:43, 18 October 2023

The dive site Rheeder's Reef is an inshore rocky reef in the Storm's River Mouth area of the Tsitsikamma National Park, in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.

Demonstration for Palestine and Gaza in Diving the Tsitsikamma/Rheeder's Reef

Dear Supporters of the Palestinian Cause in Diving the Tsitsikamma/Rheeder's Reef,

We are excited to announce a peaceful demonstration in support of the People of Palestine, set to take place in Diving the Tsitsikamma/Rheeder's Reef over the next three days. This event is an opportunity for us to come together and raise our voices and the Palestinian Flag for a just and peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.

We want to emphasize that this demonstration is intended to be a peaceful and respectful gathering. Our goal is to show solidarity with the people of Palestine and call for a peaceful solution to the conflict. It is crucial that we maintain a peaceful and respectful atmosphere throughout the event.

Important Guidelines:

To ensure the success of our demonstration and to maintain a peaceful environment, we kindly ask all participants to adhere to the following guidelines:

Peaceful Protest: This is a non-violent demonstration. We do not condone any form of violence or vandalism.

Respect for Law Enforcement: Please treat law enforcement officers in Diving the Tsitsikamma/Rheeder's Reef with respect and follow their instructions. Do not engage in confrontations with them.

Leave No Trace: Dispose of any trash responsibly and leave the demonstration area clean.

Thank you for your commitment to our peaceful demonstration in Diving the Tsitsikamma/Rheeder's Reef, and let us stand together for a better future for all.

In solidarity, eHalal Diving the Tsitsikamma/Rheeder's Reef

Diving the Tsitsikamma/Rheeder's Reef Halal Travel Guide

Position

S34.02901° E23.92825° *Rheeder's Reef GPS -34.02901,23.92825

Beyond the Knoll on the coastline to the east of the Storm's River mouth.

This site is in a Marine Protected Area (2022). A permit is required.

Depth

Maximum depth is about 21m. and the shallower areas are mostly about 16m, but extend inshore as far as you can dive. This is not often shallower than about 8m, as the surge can be very strong, and it is usually more pleasant to stay a bit deeper.

Visibility

Visibility is very variable, and ranges from less than 3m to more than 20m. 10m would be considered good.

Topography

Extensive relatively flat reef. Ridges run E-W with strike of sedimentary rock, probably sandstones and shales. Occasional sand patches. Dip very steep, near vertical.

Geology: Sedimentary rocks of the Table Mountain series, probably Ordovician sandstones of the Peninsula formation.. Strike roughly east-west, parallel with the shoreline cliffs, Dip very steep, near vertical.

Conditions

The site is exposed to wind and swell from the south east and south west, so should be dived when the swell is fairly low and particularly when the swell period is short. The site is reasonably protected from winds from the north west, but these usually accompany a cold front and south westerly swell will follow.

The site is usually at it's best in winter but there are also occasional opportunities at other times of the year. The site will probably be diveable in any conditions when it is safe to launch or recover a boat at the slipway, but this gives no indication of the visibility.

Muslim Friendly Travel TO Diving the Tsitsikamma/Rheeder's Reef

Access to this site is only by boat as the shore is a steep cliff. The site is about (distance)km from the Storm's River Mouth slipway

What to see in Diving the Tsitsikamma/Rheeder's Reef

Marine life

Varies considerably with the topography: On the higher profile areas,there is quite heavy invertebrate turf with lots of sponges, gorgonian twig corals, colonial ascidians, False corals, and scattered anemones. Also sone Granular, Reticulated, Cobbled and Spiny starfish, brittle stars, feather stars, Cape urchins, fan hydroids, small whitish soft corals, nudibranchs, small barnacles etc. Fish include Blue Hottentot, Roman, Dageraad, Blacktail, Fransmadam, Koester, Steentjie, and shy sharks

Lobed colonial ascidians at Rheeder's ReefP2277044 - Orange lobed colonial ascidians
Orange and blue fan ascidians at Rheeder's Reef P2277048 - Orange and blue fan ascidians
Articulated coralline algal turf at Rheeder's Reef P2277054 - Articulated coralline algal turf
Reef assemblage at Rheeder's Reef P2277055 - Reef assemblage
Juvenile Dageraad at Rheeder's Reef P2277087 - Juvenile Slinger
Sea fan at Rheeder's Reef P2277121 - Sea fan
Noble coral at Rheeder's Reef P2277132 - Noble coral
Basket star on sponge at Rheeder's Reef P2277147 - Basket star on sponge
Reef assemblage at Rheeder's Reef P2277153 - Invertebrate reef assemblage
Cape dorids on sponge at Rheeder's Reef P2277156 - Cape dorid nudibranchs on a sponge
Gas flame nudibranch at Rheeder's Reef P2277157 - Gas flame nudibranch
Juvenile Koester at Rheeder's Reef P2277159 - Juvenile Koester

Photography

Good site for photography, particularly close up and macro photography of invertebrates, but also providing opportunities to photograph the local reef fish, Visibility is variable, and the water is fairly deep, so an external flash is recommended for anything other than close-up work.

Routes

No particular routes recommended. Try to find an area where the ridges and gullies are relatively large as there is more to see and less bare rock.

Stay safe as a Muslim in Diving the Tsitsikamma/Rheeder's Reef

Hazards

No site specific hazards known.

Skills

No special skills required. Good buoyancy control is helpful if there is a strong surge.

Equipment

No special equipment required. A DSMB will make it easier for the boat crew to find you if you do not surface on the shotline. A shotline is not particularly useful here for recreational dives, as the bottom is relatively flat. If the visibility is poor it will be dark, and a light will be useful to restore colour at depth.

Back to Diving the Tsitsikamma

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 The dive site '''Rheeder's Reef''' is an inshore rocky reef in the Storm's River Mouth area of the Tsitsikamma National Park, in the Eastern Cape province of [[South Africa]].
-<h2 class=subheader>{{FULLPAGENAME}} Halal Explorer</h2>
+<h2 class=subheader>Demonstration for Palestine and Gaza in {{FULLPAGENAME}}</h2>
+Dear Supporters of the Palestinian Cause in {{FULLPAGENAME}},
+We are excited to announce a peaceful demonstration in support of the People of Palestine, set to take place in {{FULLPAGENAME}} over the next three days. This event is an opportunity for us to come together and raise our voices and the '''Palestinian Flag''' for a just and peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
+We want to emphasize that this demonstration is intended to be a peaceful and respectful gathering. Our goal is to show solidarity with the people of Palestine and call for a peaceful solution to the conflict. It is crucial that we maintain a peaceful and respectful atmosphere throughout the event.
+'''Important Guidelines:'''
+To ensure the success of our demonstration and to maintain a peaceful environment, we kindly ask all participants to adhere to the following guidelines:
+'''Peaceful Protest:''' This is a non-violent demonstration. We do not condone any form of violence or vandalism.
+'''Respect for Law Enforcement:''' Please treat law enforcement officers in {{FULLPAGENAME}} with respect and follow their instructions. Do not engage in confrontations with them.
+'''Leave No Trace:''' Dispose of any trash responsibly and leave the demonstration area clean.
+Thank you for your commitment to our peaceful demonstration in {{FULLPAGENAME}}, and let us stand together for a better future for all.
+In solidarity,
+eHalal {{FULLPAGENAME}}
+<h2 class=subheader>{{FULLPAGENAME}} Halal Travel Guide</h2>
 <!--Map or aerial photo|Map (or aerial photo) of the site -->
 <!--why dive here? add short note if the site is special in some way-->