Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Ledges

The dive site Ledges is a shoreline rocky reef in the Gordon's Bay area on the east side of False Bay, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa.

Position
This site is not in a Marine Protected Area. A permit is not required.
 * S34°10.193’ E018°50.726’

Name
Named "Ledges" for the ledge on the shore just above high water, which is the landmark from the seaward side. There is also a high rock outcrop at the north east end of the ledge where enthusiasts jump into the water from several meters up. Take care where you jump if you try this.

Depth
Maximum depth is about 9 m.

Topography
Fairly flat bottom with smallish boulders and occasional sand between.

Geology: The coastal outcrops of Tygerberg formation in the Gordon’s Bay area are visible here and to the north

Conditions
Best during or after South Easterly winds. Reasonably sheltered from South Westerly swells.

Facilities
Small paved parking area on the seaward side of the road.

Get in
Usually a boat dive. The site is about 1.8 km from Gordon's Bay harbour, or 2.4 km from Harbour Island.

Alternatively it could be a shore dive with quite a steep climb. Park at the paved parking area just before the junction of the R44 and Protea road. Find your own route before kitting up.

Marine life
Surprisingly interesting variety of organisms though the topography is pretty bland. Low reef with mounds of stringy stuff with sand and cerianthids. Fine sand offshore. Popular site for rock anglers, so quite a lot of nylon monofilament fishing line, often in tangled masses.

Routes
No particular route recommended.

Hazards
Shore access requires a scramble down steep rocks and a slightly tricky entry and exit.

Skills
No special skills required for boat dive. Reasonable fitness would be required for shore dive to climb down the mountainside from the road

Equipment
No special equipment recommended.

Nearby


Back to the Alphabetical list of sites, or list of dive sites in the Gordon's Bay area

Other regional dive sites:
 * Dive sites of Table Bay and approaches,
 * Dive sites of the Cape Peninsula west coast
 * Dive sites of the Cape Peninsula east coast
 * Dive sites of False Bay offshore and approaches


 * Fresh water dive sites of the Cape Town Metropolitan Area