Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Dive sites

This listing of dive sites is part of the regional guide for Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay which is intended to provide the already qualified 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 over 300 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 this list. The information in the site descriptions ranges from superficial to highly detailed, depending on what is known about the site. There may be a map. The bathymetric charts by SURGMAP are updated as and when new survey data is collected, and are mapped by swimming the contours towing a GPS buoy. They are reasonably accurate – within a couple of metres usually – and reliable for what is shown, but seldom complete. It is quite possible that some tall pinnacles have been missed. There is no guarantee that you will not discover one by hitting it with your boat. If you do, please let us know.

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, they will be described in the same sub-article.

Understand
This is a list for quick reference of drop point and entry point positions intended for divers and dive boat skippers who are already familiar with the dive sites and conditions likely to be encountered. Positions do not take into account drift due to wind and current.

This listing also gives links to all the dive site articles in the region, which give regional information and planning suggestion., The regional lists also list the usual drop point or entry positions for each site. Each site is geolocated on the interactive map.

More detailed information on the dive regions of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay, and similar listings of the dive sites in those regions can be found at:
 * Dive sites of Table Bay and approaches,
 * Dive sites of the Cape Peninsula west coast,
 * Dive sites of the Cape Peninsula east coast, also known as Dive sites of False Bay west coast, and
 * Dive sites of False Bay offshore and approaches,
 * Dive sites of False Bay east coast

1 to 9

 * : S33°59.486' E18°19.922'

A

 * (Oatlands Point): S34°12.484' E018°27.662'
 * : S33°50.012' E018°20.686'
 * : S34°16.495' E18°22.197'
 * : S34°18.25' E018°48.76' (estimated)
 * : S34°17.350' E018°49.377'
 * (Outer Spaniard): S34°12.987' E018°28.184'
 * : S34°11.408' E018°26.985'
 * : S33°59.06' E018°21.37' (Bow section)
 * Anvil Rock
 * S36°22.244' E18°31.068' &mdash; Approx 20 m deep, area of nice caves/swim-throughs:
 * S34°22.218' E18°31.090'
 * : S34°03.891' E018°20.955'
 * : S33°53.85' E018°24.57'
 * : S34°15' E018°29'

B

 * : S33°57.555' E018°22.204'
 * : S34°18.454' E018°48.911'
 * Bantry Bay
 * : S33°55.56' E018°22.65'
 * : S33°55.535' E018°22.156'
 * : S34°10.998' E018°25.560'
 * Batsata Rock Reefs
 * S34°16.775' E018°28.830'
 * S34°16.553' E018°28.840' &mdash; The half-tide rock north of the exposed rock.
 * S34°16.602' E018°28.830' &mdash; Granite reef. Fairly shallow around the exposed rocks.
 * Bellows Rock
 * S34°23.379' E018°29.433'
 * (at Bellows Rock): S34°23.33' E018°29.39'
 * : Bow section: S34°16.140' E018°22.812' Main section: S34°16.217' E018°22.638'
 * : S34°09.923 E18°51.492
 * : S34°15.237' E18°34.126'
 * : near S34°14.655' E018°39.952'
 * (Bloukrans): S34°16.439' E018°50.163'
 * : S34°16.497' E018°49.924'
 * Blue Flame Pinnacles
 * S34°12.700' E018°33.250'.
 * S34°12.837' E018°33.355'.
 * Blue Rock Quarry: S34°07.536' E18°54.066'
 * : S33°58.761' E018°21.151'
 * (Bakoven Rock): S34°14.05' E18°29.05'
 * : S34°18.99' E018°27.83'
 * Bruce's Mark
 * S34°14.880' E18°34.880'
 * S34°14.835' E18°34.610'
 * : S34°10.880' E018°25.607'
 * : S34°19.217' E018°27.73'
 * S34°14.880' E18°34.880'
 * S34°14.835' E18°34.610'
 * : S34°10.880' E018°25.607'
 * : S34°19.217' E018°27.73'

C

 * : S34°02.595' E018°18.073'
 * : S33°53.233' E018°24.533'
 * Caravan Reef
 * S34°13.436' E018°28.562'
 * S34°13.408' E018°28.528'
 * S34°13.500' E018°28.450'
 * S34°13.352' E018°28.733'
 * S34°13.311' E018°28.564'
 * S34°13.513' E018°28.721'
 * Castle Rocks and Parson's Nose:
 * S34°14.322' E018°28.65'
 * (Outside Castle): S34°14.4' E018°28.8'
 * (South Castle): S34°14.46 E018°28.674'
 * Castor Rock reefs
 * S34°10.720' E018°27.605'. – Top of the main reef.
 * S34°10.690' E018°27.590' &mndash; Across a narrow sand bottomed gap to the north of the main reef.
 * S34°10.831' E018°27.802'. At the east end of the south lobe of Castor Reef.
 * S34°10.765' E018°27.650'
 * S34°10.765' E018°27.600'
 * S34°10.812' E018°27.650'. On the west side of the south lobe of Castor Rock.
 * : S34°08.005' E18°45.270'
 * : S34°08.817' E18°18.949'
 * : S34°10.303' E018°25.842'
 * : S33°56.540' E018°21.894'
 * : S33°56.346' E018°22.222'
 * (Mike's Bay): S34°18.75' E018°49.05' (approximate)
 * Coral Gardens (Oudekraal)
 * S33°59.270' E018°20.782'
 * (Rooi-els): S34°18.144' E018°48.795'
 * Cow and Calf
 * S34°10.310' E018°50.263'
 * S34°10.458' E018°50.183'
 * S34°10.458' E018°50.183'

D

 * : S33°50.388' E18°23.133'
 * : S34°07.436' E018°27.154'
 * : S34°16.414' E018°34.009'
 * (Oatlands Reef, Wave Rock): S34°12.378' E018°27.996'
 * : S34° 04.497' E018° 21.256'
 * : S34°02.282' E18°18.324'
 * Di's Cracks About 300 m northwest (328° magnetic) of Vulcan Rock
 * S34°03.873' E018°18.417' – Big pointy topped boulder jammed into the top of a crack with a big swim-through underneath.
 * S34°03.855' E018°18.400' – Big 14 m deep, flat topped boulder pinnacle on top of the main reef outcrop.
 * : S34°11.119' E018°27.776' (Dome Rock pinnacle)
 * : S33°58'22.05" S18°21'42.59"
 * : S34°08.561' E18°45.829'

E

 * : S34°08'54" E18°38'47"

F

 * : S34°11.527' E18°26.048'.
 * : S34°14.165' E18°29.260'
 * (Jenga Reef): S34°14.959' E018°28.611'
 * Finlay's Point offshore pinnacles
 * : S34°14.980' E018°28.920'
 * : S34°14.970' E018°28.780'
 * S34°14.9029'
 * S34°14.885' E018°28.890'
 * (Mont Blanc): S34°15.005' E018°29.194'
 * : S34°12.357' E018°27.497'
 * : S34°08.292' E018°26.676'
 * : S34°10.832' E018°33.895'
 * Friskies Pinnacles
 * S34°10.778' E018°27.822', the larger and shallower reef to the south.
 * S34°10.720' E018°27.830', the smaller and deeper reef to the north.
 * : S34°12.22' E018°27.40'

G

 * : S34°02.070' E018°18.180'
 * : S33°58.67' E018°21.62'
 * : S33°58.73' E018°21.61'
 * : S33°53.0' E018°20.5'
 * : S34°13.679' E018°38.290'
 * : S34°14.362' E018°29.225'
 * : S34°09.418' E018°26.412'.
 * : S34°6' E018°44'
 * : S34°16.80' E018°28.851' (midships)
 * : S34°16.049' E018°28.899'
 * : S33°59.13' E018°20.75'

H

 * Hakka Reef (Middelmas): S34°01.747' E018°18.328'
 * S34°01.747' E018°18.328'
 * S34°01.780' E018°18.380'
 * S34°01.760' E018°18.420'
 * Hangklip Ridge (no marks yet)
 * : S34°01.600' E018°18.750'
 * : S33°58.85' E018°21.65'
 * : S33°53.13'  E018°25.83' (Bow)
 * : S34°01.548' E018°18.142'
 * : S33°50.10' E018°22.90' (Turner 1988)

I

 * : S34°12.817' E018°28.044'

J

 * : S34°16.334' E18°33.075' (separate reef to the south of Whittle Rock)
 * : S33°58.85' E018°21.50'

K

 * : S34:07.787' E018:26.967'
 * : S34°02.365' E018°18.138'
 * : S34°03.910' E018°20.942' (middle of the wreck)
 * : S34°02.037' E018°18.636'
 * : S33°58.91' E018°21.09'
 * (Salad bowl, Yacht wreck): S34°04.442' E018°19.191'
 * (Crosses): S34°17.431' E018°49.304

L

 * : S34°10.193' E018°50.726'
 * : S34°10.605' E018°27.571'
 * : S34°00.037' E18°19.897'
 * : S34°00.25' E018°20.53'
 * S34°16.296' E18°32.723'
 * : S34°11.239' E18°25.559' &mdash; There are a few small wrecks which may be visited on a compass navigation route.
 * : S34°10.955' E018°49.312'
 * : S34°23.40' E018°29.65'
 * S34°23.419' E018°29.485'

M

 * Maidstone Rock reefs
 * S34°11.564' E018°27.754'
 * S34°11.575' E018°27.600'
 * S34°11.577' E018°27.474'
 * : S34°02.062' E018°18.793' (Machinery)
 * S34°15.116' E18°34.290',
 * : S34°18.75' E018°48.72' (estimated)
 * Miller's Point
 * S34°14.059' E018°28.495'
 * S34°13.829' E018°28.434'
 * S34°13.879' E018°28.559'
 * : S34°09.150' E18°49.650'
 * S34°13.958' E018°28.988'
 * Muizenberg trawler wrecks
 * S34°07.006' E18°31.219'
 * S34°06.996' E18°31.360'
 * : S33°58.781' E018°21.521'

N

 * Noah's Ark and the Ark Rock Wrecks
 * S34°11.533' E018°27.232'. The biggest rock close offshore in the Simon's Town area, and an unmistakable landmark.
 * S34°11.603' E018°27.198'
 * S34°11.545' E018°27.173'
 * S34°11.670' E018°27.196'
 * S34°11.632' E18°27.349'
 * S34°11.616' E018°27.353'
 * S34°11.477' E018°27.172'
 * S34°11.497' E18°27.143'
 * S34°11.618' E18°27.277'
 * S34°11.649' E18°27.220'
 * S34°11.530' E018°27.306'
 * S34°11.566' E18°27.287'
 * S34°11.375' E18°27.125'
 * North Lion's Paw
 * : S33° 55.841' E018° 21.647'
 * : S33° 55.847' E018° 21.789'
 * : S33° 55.807' E018° 22.019
 * : S33° 55.854' E018°21.849' (Exposed Rock)
 * : S33°55.797' E018° 21.808'
 * : S33° 55.745' E018° 21.879'

O

 * : S34°02.216' E018°18.573'
 * Offshore Barges
 * S34°12.473' E18°30.950'
 * S34°12.483' E18°30.936'
 * : S34°14.364' E18°34.847'
 * : S34.21426 E018.47412
 * : S34°16.023' E018°28.796' (bow)
 * : S34°11.778' E018°27.898'

P

 * : S34°09.570' E018°26.420'
 * Partridge Point
 * S34°15.4650' E018°28.7880' &mdash; A large exposed rock marking a moderate depth area of high profile reef with a small air-trap overhang.
 * S34°15.480' E018°28.845'.
 * S34°15.3780' E018°28.7040' &mdash; An exposed rock with a little cave under it in a kelp forest
 * S34°15.3500' E018°29.0000'
 * S34°15.229' E018°28.930' (Pinnacle)
 * S34°15.285' E018°28.937'.
 * S34°15.400' E018°28.850'.
 * S34°15.5150' E018°28.6870'
 * S34°15.3370' E018°28.8920' &mdash; A fairly large flattish rock used as a haulout rock by seals with fairly shallow reef around it.
 * (Boulders): S34°11.889' E018°27.254'
 * : S34° 17.350' E018°49.377'E.
 * : S34°11.199' E018°49.133'
 * : S34°13.303'	E018°28.465'
 * : S34°10.468' E018°49.981'
 * : S34°11.388' E018°26.898'
 * (JJM Reef): S34°11.839' E18°27.434'
 * : S34°14.225' E018°29.202'
 * Pie Rock and Outer Castle reefs
 * : S34°14.432' E018°29.153'
 * : S34°14.375' E018°29.090'
 * (Blindevals): S34°14.320' E018°29.002' &mdash; 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".
 * : S34°14.445' E018°28.985'
 * : S34°14.396' E018°28.943'
 * : S34°02.125' E018°18.190'
 * : S34°02.090' E018°18.099'
 * : S34°16.060' E018°28.816'(bow) S34°16.068' E018°28.839' (stern)
 * Pyramid Rock reef and Shark Alley
 * S34°14.356' E018°28.826'
 * S34°14.220' E018°28.808'
 * S34°14.225' E018°28.698' &mdash; High profile area marked by an exposed rock.
 * S34°14.21' E018°28.60' Estimated.
 * S34°14.225' E018°28.698' &mdash; High profile area marked by an exposed rock.
 * S34°14.21' E018°28.60' Estimated.
 * S34°14.21' E018°28.60' Estimated.

Q

 * : S34°09.390' E018°26.157' (Entry/exit ledge)
 * : S34°09.395' E018°26.474'.

R

 * : S34°01.431' E018°18.151'
 * Rambler Rock reefs
 * S34°11.145' E018°28.091' (Hotlips Pinnacle)
 * S34°10.916' E018°27.996'
 * S34°10.924' E018°27.899'
 * S34°11.011' E018°27.918'
 * Random Rocks Reefs
 * : S34°11.365' E018°28.055' (Pinnacle) A partially surveyed reef of unknown extent, probably quite small.
 * : S34°11.329' E018°28.037' (Pinnacle at south end) Depth 21 to 26 m. A compact granite reef.
 * : S33°49.886', E018°21.524' (approximate centre of wreckage)
 * : S34°16.135' E018°28.855' (Bow)
 * (Seal Colony): S34°12.9' E018°28.0'
 * Rocky Bank
 * S34°24.820' E018°35.473'
 * S34°24.906' E018°35.478'
 * S34°24.957' E018°35.473'
 * S34°24.994' E018°35.463'
 * S34°25.160' E018°35.571'
 * Rocky Bay: S34°11.585' E018°49.035'
 * S34°11.585' E018°49.035'
 * S34°11.332' E018°49.123'
 * Roman Rock reefs
 * S34°10.87' E018°27.60' An easy dive site to find as it is marked by the lighthouse of the same name off Simon's Town Harbour.
 * S34°10.813' E018°27.535'. A fairly large but relatively low expanse of reef roughly northwest of the lighthouse.
 * S34°10.930' E018°27.575'. A small section of reef parallel to the main reef about 100 m southwest of the lighthouse.
 * S34°10.90' E018°27.435'. Two small parallel reefs to the west of Roman Rock.
 * : S34°00.700' E018°19.860' approximately
 * : S34°17.8' E018°48.8'

S

 * : S33°58.90' E018°21.65'
 * S34°15.153' E18°34.709'
 * : S33°53.80' E018°23.80'
 * (Duiker island): S34°03.458' E018°19.562'
 * : S34°08.25' E018°34.95'
 * : S33°54.905' E018°21.421'
 * : S34°03.54' E18°20.82' &mdash; approximate position south and east of the Sentinel (mountain peak)
 * : S34°15.190' E18°29.010'
 * : S34°11.525' E18°24.968'.
 * (Hell's Gate): S34°16.48' E018°28.41'
 * Smits Reef
 * S34°16.5170' E018°29.0170'
 * S34°16.410' E018°28.940'
 * S34°16.360' E018°28.780'
 * S34°16.4860' E018°28.9290'
 * S34°16.495' E018°28.863'
 * : S33°56.308' E018° 21.890'
 * : Large area, no specific positions known
 * S34°16.097' E018°34.837'
 * : S34°13.03' E018°28.03'
 * : S34°16.295' E018 21.55'.
 * Star Wall
 * S34°02.466' E018°18.087' — Shallowest point on top of the main outcrop at Star Walls
 * S34°02.426' E018°18.191'
 * S34°02.506' E018°18.186'.
 * Steenbras Deep
 * S34°12.15' E018°45.57'
 * S34°12.642' E018°45.498'
 * : S34°01.330' E018°18.600'
 * : S34°13.164' E018°28.032'
 * : S34°09.364' E18°45.039'
 * Stonehenge: S34°02.838' E018°18.316'
 * S34°02.587' E018°18.235'.
 * S34°02.590' E018°18.206'.
 * S34°02.625' E018°18.300'. These are some of the defining markers for Stonehenge, as they stick out of the water and can be seen from a distance.
 * S34°02.740' E018°18.200'.
 * S34°02.750' E018°18.300'. A line of exposed rocks in roughly the middle of the high reef area.
 * S34°02.835' E018°18.365'. A half tide rock on the southern edge of the area.
 * S34°02.885' E018°18.335'.
 * S34°02.838' E018°18.316
 * : S33°58.725' E018°21.658' (approximate)
 * : S34°02.475' E18°18.290' (pinnacle)
 * : S34°08.68' E018°26.30'
 * : S34°14.265' E018°29.170'
 * : S34°02.375' E018°18.015'

T

 * Tafelberg Deep:
 * S34º04.6578' E018º18.9312', 26 m deep
 * S34º04.6872' E018º18.9658', 36 m deep
 * S34º04.6810' E018º19.1633', 50 m deep
 * S34°04.6476' E018°18.9710', 18 m deep
 * S34°04.7360' E018°19.0322', 50 m deep
 * Tafelberg Reef: S34°04.22' E018°18.93'
 * S34°03.934' EE018°18.890'
 * S34°03.986' E018°18.958'
 * S34°04.195' E018°18.812'
 * : S34°10.619' E018°27.226'
 * : S33°54.36' E018°23.85'
 * : (position not recorded)
 * : S34°10.892' E018°27.765': About 250 m bearing 301° magnetic to Roman Rock Lighthouse.
 * : S34°10.565' E018°49.745'
 * : S34° 11.700' E018°27.960'
 * : S34°15.956' E018°28.778' (Bow)
 * : S33°40.45' E018°19.95' (approximate)
 * (Cave Gully): S34°10.828' E018°49.509'
 * : S34°01.920' E018°18.330'
 * : S33°54.476' E018°25.074'

U

 * S34°16.435' E18°22.487'

V

 * : S34°10.302' E018°50.355'
 * Vulcan Rock
 * S34°03.945' E018°18.545', the exposed rock at the highest point of the reefs, with a swim-through cavern under it.
 * S34°03.912' E018°18.545'. A long ridge north of Vulcan Rock running northwest to southeast, with a cluster of pinnacles a short distance to the northeast.
 * S34°03.962' E018°18.447'. A compact row of huge boulders to the west of the Vulcan Rock
 * S34°04.033' E018°18.683', A compact cluster of huge boulders to the south of Vulcan Rock

W

 * : S34°15.111' E18°32.578'
 * : S34°16.97' E018°49.55' (approximate)
 * Whittle Rock
 * S34°14.824' E18°33.310'
 * S34°14.945' E18°33.573'
 * S34°14.830' E18°33.879' (East Ridge)
 * S34°15.103' E18°33.603'
 * S34°14.742' E18°33.843'
 * S34°14.776' E18°33.801' and S34°14.783' E18°33.795'
 * S34°14.881' E18°33.241'
 * S34°14.931' E18°33.718'
 * S34°14.750' E18°33.200'
 * S34°14.935' E18°33.784'
 * S34°14.991' E18°33.450' (South-western pinnacles)
 * S34°15.003' E18°33.445' (South-western pinnacles)
 * S34°14.872' E18°33.454'
 * S34°14.756' E18°33.720'
 * S34°14.668' E18°33.646'
 * S34°15.004' E018°33.580'
 * S34°15.048' E18°33.606'
 * S34°14.785' E18°33.666'
 * S34°14.972' E18°33.420' (South-western pinnacles)
 * S34°14.043' E018°33.549'
 * S34°14.750' E18°33.482'
 * S34°14.650' E18°33.125'
 * S34°14.765' E018°33.622'
 * S34°14.800' E18°33.160'
 * S34°14.735' E18°33.590'
 * S34°14.762' E18°33.575'
 * S34°14.704' E18°33.763'
 * S34°14.887' E018°33.775'
 * S34°14.917' E018°33.753'
 * S34°14.968' E18°33.668'
 * S34°14.844' E018°33.682'
 * S34°14.856' E18°33.269' (inside the MPA)
 * S34°14.850' E18°33.508'
 * S34°14.900' E18°33.635'
 * S34°14.943' E018°33.616'
 * S34°14.846' E018°33.714' &mdash; (Shallowest pinnacle)
 * S34°14.949' E18°33.707'
 * : S34°01.502' E018°17.931'
 * : S34°12.06' E018°27.40'
 * Windmill Offshore Reefs
 * S34°11.950' E18°27,650'
 * S34°11.960' E18°28,125'
 * S34°12.090' E18°27,610'
 * S34°11.887' E18°27,788'.
 * S34°12.050' E18°27,800'
 * : S33°52.1514' E18°29.1828 (Engine block)
 * S34°15.541' E18°33.970'

Y

 * : S34°09.367', E018°35.583'

Z

 * : S34°14.362' E018°29.275'

Nearby
Back to Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay

More detailed information on dive regions of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay can be found at:
 * Dive sites of Table Bay and approaches,
 * Dive sites of the Cape Peninsula west coast,
 * Dive sites of the Cape Peninsula east coast, also known as Dive sites of False Bay west coast, and
 * Dive sites of False Bay offshore and approaches,
 * Dive sites of False Bay east coast.