Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Sentinel

This site can be dived from a boat or from the shore.

The site is about 2.5 km from Hout Bay harbour slipway.

Shore dive: There is a parking area at S34°03.553’ E018°20.690’ just beyond Hout Bay Sewage Works building.

What to see in Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Sentinel

Marine life

Box jellyfish are common near the bottom over sand. The deep rock outcrops are covered with common feather stars. There is fairly thick kelp forest inshore. Hottentot, occasional anemones, small swimming shrimps over the rocks, West Coast rock lobster, small red and brown algae, small sponges, sea fans, starfish, hydroids, and black mussels have been seen.

Photography

Routes

30m shore dive: Entry about 50 m beyond parking place, surface swim to where the depth should be sufficient. This will be easiest if you have a submersible echo sounder, or a GPS on the surface marker, otherwise use compass bearings from the chart. Dive and swim out until depth is 30 m. To return swim a compass course of north magnetic, ascending gradually until about 6 m. and swimming in mid water to the surge zone near the shore. Entry and exit may be a bit rough in the surf and boulders. If the return is done along the bottom and the dive is on air, decompression will be required.

Stay safe as a Muslim in Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Sentinel

Hazards

This area is reported to be a high risk for assault and theft from vehicles. There is also some risk from boats as there is considerable traffic in the area of fishing boats, tourist charter boats and dive charter boats. Cold water. Strong onshore winds may develop over a short period, making exit shore tricky. Access to entry/exit points is over a boulder beach.

Skills

No special skills required. The site is suitable for snorkeling. Some fitness and agility is needed for shore access, and there is a long swim to do a 30 m dive.

Equipment

A large surface marker or an escort boat with Flag Alpha is recommended if you plan to go far from the shore, as this area is frequented by tour charter boats and fishing boats. If you plan to do a shore dive to 30 m, a compass is crucial and Nitrox will allow a no-decompression dive.

Nearby

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Duiker Island|Seal Island GPS -34.057633,18.326033
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/MV Aster|MV Aster GPS -34.064850,18.349250
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/MV Katsu Maru|MV Katsu Maru GPS -34.065050,18.349033
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Die Josie|Die Josie GPS -34.074950,18.354267

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