Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Harbour Island

Harbour Island is one of the diving areas of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay. It's diveable whenever conditions on the east side of False Bay are suitable. That's more often in summer, when the south west swell is smaller and the south east wind makes conditions on the west side of the bay unpleasant.

Access
The slipway is well protected by the harbour walls, and boats can be launched and recovered in almost any weather. It's a concrete ramp 9.2 m wide and is in good condition. There is a floating jetty in good condition to the left side of the slipway where boats can tie up to load and wait for access on busy days. Very well protected from waves from all directions.

Public access for boats with seaworthiness certificates and licensed skippers.

Small non-commercial harbour and marina. Slipway is controlled by Helderberg Municipality.

Position

 * S34°09.132' E018°51.470' (Slipway)
 * S34°09.136' E018°51.449' (Jetty/boarding area)
 * S34°09.096' E018°51.359' (Harbour mouth)
 * S34°09.038' E018°51.607' (Main gate)

Conditions
The launching facilities are usable all year, and the use of the facilities by dive boats is mainly dependent on good diving conditions on the east side of False Bay. This is more common in summer, when the lack of rain runoff from the mountainside, and the generally lower south west swell result in better visibility when the sea is calm enough to dive. The dive sites on the Gordon's Bay area are all close inshore in the lee of the mountains, so a fairly strong south easterly wind is not generally a problem, which is a good thing since in summer the south easter can blow very strongly at Gordon's Bay, often for several days running.

Facilities
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Access is not controlled. An official will collect your launching fee if he is there at the time.

Parking for trailers is good but limited (17 bays), and there is alternative parking outside the marina at the side of the access road near the main road. There is also a reasonable amount of parking for cars, but occasionally it has been necessary to unload at the slipway and park outside. There is no charge for parking.

Turning and loading space is limited but usually sufficient. There are public toilets with fresh water conveniently near to the slipway, and usually in good condition, They are open from 08:00-17:00 except on weekends in summer when they open at 19:00 and close at 18:00.

Other facilities in the immediate vicinity are a small shop selling refreshments and fishing tackle and several licensed restaurants, some of which have outside seating and will cater to people in wet dive gear.

Fees
A launching fee of R40 is charged for boats. (2005)

Hazards
Security of parked vehicles is not known to be a problem, but it would not be advisable to leave your vehicle unlocked.

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