Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Penguin Point

The dive site Penguin Point or Boulders is a shoreline rocky reef in the Seaforth area of Simon's Town on the False Bay coast of the Cape Peninsula, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa.

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Penguin Point Halal Explorer

Image:Boulders_Penguin_Point_and_Photographers_Reef_150dpi - upright=2|Aerial view of the dive site at Penguin Point and Boulders beach. (Photo CDS&M)]]

This is a shallow dive site with easy access and good facilities.

Position

S34°11.889’ E018°27.254’ Penguin Point GPS -34.19815,18.454233

This is the point where Simon's Bay meets the south coast of the Cape Peninsula, and the coastline makes a distinct turn, becoming more exposed to the swell and winds from the southeast.

This site is in a Marine Protected Area (2004). A permit is required. The site is entirely inside the Boulders Restricted Zone.

Image:Entry_gully_at_Penguin_Point_Boulders_1 - The gully at Penguin Point. This is also an access route for the penguins.

Name

The beach at Seaforth in Simon's Town has been known as "Boulders Beach" for generations, due to the large granite boulders, both at the end of the beach, and scattered along the shore and shallow waters. The alternative name "Penguin Point" refers to the sanctuary and resident colony of Jackass penguins.

Depth

Quite shallow, generally less than 8 m.

Topography

Flat gently shelving sand bottom with occasional low rock outcrops. There is a line of high reef quite close inshore, and large shoreline boulders and gullies.

Geology: Granite of the late Pre-Cambrian Peninsula pluton, surrounded by white sand.

Conditions

The site is exposed to south easterly winds and waves, and sheltered from south westerly swells. The site is usually considered a winter dive, but there are also occasional opportunities at other times of the year.

Facilities

Tarred and demarcated parking area at the bottom of Bellevue road, usually with attendants. Security is good when parking attendants are on duty. There is a restaurant at the parking area, and clean toilets in good condition at the ticket office.

Muslim Friendly Travel TO Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Penguin Point

-34.196|18.4605|width=|align= Penguin Point and nearby dive sites}} Usually a shore entry dive. There is good paved parking at the bottom of Bellevue road, sometimes full on a good day. Entry at the beach to the north of the parking area, from beach or the low rock at north-west of the beach, or from the deep and fairly steep gully to the West of the parking area, between two large granite outcrops. The beach access is controlled by SAN Parks Board and there is an entry fee.

Image:Dive_site_at_Penguin_Point_Boulders - Reefs at Penguin Point.

The gully is to the left of the flat rock at the extreme right of the photo. Entry is from the flat rock. Inshore diving is along the rocks to the right of the photo and the reefs shown here. Image:Entry_point_at_Penguin_Point%2C_Boulders - The flat rock at the mouth of the gully.

Entry is from the far side of this rock into fairly deep water. Exit is to the left or right of the flat rock. Both of these places can get quite rough in an onshore wind. In an emergency exit round to the right at Boulders Beach, or at Windmill Beach to the left. Be careful of some rusty steel bars (foreground left of centre) and pipes.

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

Marine life

The rock outcrops are thickly covered by crinoids, grey sea cucumbers and sea squirts. White feathery sea pens in the sand retract when disturbed. Kelp forest over the reef. You may be exceptionally lucky and see penguins under water. They are common in this area but very shy in the water.

Photography

Be the first to post an underwater penguin photo from Penguin Point to this website.

Routes

No special routes recommended. The area to the east and south of the gully is interesting.

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

Hazards

No site specific hazards have been reported.

Skills

No special skills required. Suitable for novice divers and snorkellers.

Equipment

No special equipment recommended.

Nearby

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Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Torch Reef|Torch Reef GPS -34.195000,18.466000
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Outer Photographer's Reef|Outer Photographer's Reef GPS -34.196306,18.464972
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Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Windmill Offshore Reefs|Dangerous Doug Reef GPS -34.199167,18.460833
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Back to Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay#Seaforth to Froggy Pond

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