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Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pinnacle

The dive site Pinnacle is an inshore rocky reef in the Gordon's Bay area of the east side of False Bay, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa.

Understand
This site has very varied topography, which provides a large range of habitats, and these provide shelter for a large diversity of organisms. There are not many fish, but the invertebrates are unusually varied, and the site is accessible and relatively sheltered. Visibility is not often good, but there is a lot to see.

Position

 * S34°10.468’ E018°49.981’. The pinnacle is a few kilometers south west of the last houses of Gordon's Bay.

This is not in a Marine Protected Area. A permit is not required.

Name
Named for the rocky "Pinnacle" that breaks the surface just offshore at most states of the tide.

Depth
Maximum depth at this site is 14 m, a few metres beyond the edge of the sand. The reef extends from about 12 m at the edge of the gravel, to the surface along the shoreline.

Visibility
Visibility is seldom better than 8 m, and is more usually between 3 and 6 m in summer. In winter it is often worse, and diving at this site is more often limited by visibility than by sea state. It can be dived when visibility is as low as a metre, but though there is still a lot to see, it may be difficult to find things. Visibility can vary significantly with depth. Some days it is quite good in the shallower parts, but drops off below about 9 or 10 m where the fine silt tends to deposit.

Topography
Entry gully: The shore entry gully runs parallel to the general shoreline at the north east side of the cove. It is about 5 m deep and the gully mouth bottom is rounded smallish boulders. Cave: A small, narrow, shallow cave which extends about 15 m straight into the cliff is accessible if the swell is very low. It is near the surface (max depth 3 m) and strongly affected by surge as the free surface extends all the way to the back of the cave. The mouth is always visible, and the cave tapers slowly with a sudden end. This cave is round the left side of the entry gully mouth and is roughly parallel to the entry gully, following the bedding planes of the rock. Follow the left side rock face out of the entry gully and round the corner.

Outer gully: Outside the entry gully there is another gully, somewhat deeper, also parallel to the shore. The ridge to seaward of the outer gully does not quite reach the surface. This second gully is quite deep to the north east at more than 6 m and is worth exploring. North west of this ridge the bottom is small rounded boulders to the pinnacle.

Pinnacle: The rock pinnacle which gives the site its name is just offshore from the entry gully in about 8 m depth and is easily identified, as it breaks the surface at most states of tide. The pinnacle landward end is very sheer on both north-east and south faces, but tapers down more gradually to seaward. Sponge rock: There is a large rock toward the south side of the cove with a spectacular orange wall sponge at the top, which is about 6 m deep on top. It is about 50m offshore, at S34°10.490’ E18°49.959’, and the bottom is at about 9 m. You can find it by following the 8 to 9 m contour south-west from the pinnacle.

North west: To the north west of the pinnacle there is sand bottom starting at about 11 m depth. There may be seasonal changes as sand covers the pebble zone, or is washed off to expose it again. There are isolated outcrops in the sand and pebble zones, but they have not yet been mapped. Most, if not all, are less than 2m high

North east: To the north east there are big outcrops on mostly low rocky reef. The shoreline has some deep gullies which continue below the water. In the area directly offshore of the steep part of the path there is a large rock which rises to about 3 m from the surface. Further along the shoreline is a deep gully that extends several metres into the cliffside. This is the furthest extent of the Pinnacle dive site. Beyond this point is the south part of the Stone Dog section of Cow and Calf

Islet: There is a large rock (the islet) to the south west of the cave which extends above the water. If the conditions are very calm and the tide is high it is possible to swim around this rock, but the narrow strait to landward is shallow (and partly hidden by trees in the photo)

South west shoreline: Off the shore south west of the cove the deep bottom is flat parallel rock ridges with codium seaweed above the pebbles and sand. There is at least one large outcrop several metres high in this area.

Sand and pebble beds: The border between the sand bottom and pebble beds is quite far out in places, perhaps with seasonal movement. Tongues of sand in the pebble zone north of the pinnacle. possibly in a low area, and possibly seasonal, extend in towards the shore. The sand in the south west part is quite coarse and looks a bit shelly. The ripples were about 1 m apart and the coarse sand seemed to form narrow parallel ridges on the finer sand beneath it. Further to the north east the sand is finer and the ripples more chaotic and much smaller.

Just inshore of the sand is mostly a zone of pebbles, seemingly of the sandstones of the area, well rounded and of approximately golf ball to tennis ball size, bedded in sand. The border between the sand and pebbles is very vague in places, and it may be that the pebbles extend under the sand for a considerable distance and are covered by a thin sand layer of seasonally variable extent. There are a few large (>1 m) outcrops along this border.

There are extensive pebble beds and some fine sand directly offshore of the cove. Isolated rock outcrops up to 2 m high are scattered about the sand and pebble zone. Fine grey silt may temporarily deposit on the sheltered side of outcrops in very calm conditions.

Geology: Light grey to yellow-brown quartzitic Ordovician sandstones, probably of the Graafwater formation of the Table Mounain group. Strike is roughly parallel to the shore, and dip is steep, in the order of 70° to the south east.

Conditions
The site is partly exposed to south westerly swell, but well protected from south easterly winds. The site is usually at its best in summer but there are also occasional opportunities in autumn and early winter.

This is an area which sometimes has red tides (summer), and poor visibility due to rain run-off (winter).

Keep a lookout for times when the south westerly component of the swell is low, and short period (10 seconds or less), and the wind is calm or from the south east, for a high probability of good conditions.

A long period swell from the south west will produce strong surge and usually poor visibility, and may make shore diving unacceptably hazardous. Assess the conditions from the roadside to the south, where the surge in the gully can be seen, before making the climb down to the entry area to make a close-up assessment.

If the swell is in sets, the access from the gully will be significantly affected, and if the swell picks up during a dive it is important to spend long enough waiting in the mouth of the gully to assess the best stage of the set to make your exit. Fortunately the surge movement at the exit area is largely vertical, and does not have a strong tendency to throw you onto the rocks at the inner end of the gully. This means that you can use the surge to lift you, but must then get out of the way before the next wave.

Facilities
The paved off road parking is adequate, and there is a baboon proofed garbage bin, but no other facilities. Security is dubious, like any other local site along a public road.

Get in

Access is usually by boat, a short ride from Gordon's Bay harbour (3.1 km)or Harbour Island (3.8 km), but can be done as a shore dive by a fit and agile diver.

Boat access: Boats usually anchor to the south west of the pinnacle. The bottom is rocky and holding is uncertain. It is recommended that a crew member is left on board. Not a good anchorage in an onshore wind, but the diving will probably be unpleasant then too. It is worth starting the dive with a visit to the anchor to check that it has set correctly and will hold, but is not fouled and will be possible to retrieve after the dive. Try to avoid damaging the reef with the anchors.

Shore access: The car park is the first large paved parking area on the left hand side on the way out of Gordon’s Bay, at S34°10.486’ E018°50.096’ on the R44 (Faure Marine drive).

A certain amount of scrambling is involved, moderately strenuous, but nothing difficult. Check out the route before kitting up as it is easy to take a wrong turn and this is better when not burdened by wet suit, cylinder and weights. The best known route is to the north of the inlet, with entry and exit in a south opening gully parallel to the shore, which provides good shelter and fairly easy entry and exit in good conditions.

The path down to the shore starts directly opposite the concrete garbage bin at the parking area. It goes more or less directly towards the sea, tending slightly to the right, and weaving among the bushes. The first important landmark along the path is a sandstone outcrop where the slope starts getting steep. Pass to the left of this, then once below it, move toward the right until directly below the steep rock. The path then proceeds more or less directly down to the start of the gully to the left.

Continue along the bottom of the gully over the small rounded rocks until you reach the water’s edge. The entry and exit point is a sloping ledge to landward of the main part of the gully, just beyond the last big boulder in the gully, and on the left hand side. Note that the surge can be awesome in a large sea.

The ridge on the left of the photo is not as steep as it looks, but not a place for bare feet or soft booties. The small black dot to the right of the gully mouth is the top of the pinnacle. On the seaward side of the ridge to the right of the gully is another submerged gully and ridge. The best point along the ledge for entry or exit will depend on the tide and surge at the time, and it is suggested that when the tide is low or the surge is strong, the entry or exit should be further to the south west near the mouth of the gully.

Routes
Much of the marine life can be seen in the immediate vicinity of the pinnacle. If the sea is particularly flat the cave may be worth a visit if you like small narrow holes (big enough to turn around in).
 * 1) Introductory boat dive: Anchor south west of the pinnacle. Dive down the anchor line and check the anchor, Follow the 8 m contour north east to the pinnacle. Swim anticlockwise round the pinnacle, with an excursion to the sand bottom from the seaward end of the outcrop. If there is sufficient time, swim anticlockwise through the outer gully and back to the pinnacle. Ascend at the pinnacle and swim back to the boat.
 * 2) Introductory shore dive: Enter at the gully, swim north west to the pinnacle, and anticlockwise round the pinnacle almost back to the start, then south west across the shallow part of the cove, and north west to deeper water (about 10m). Then swim north east to the seaward side of the pinnacle, south east to the ridge, and follow the bottom of the ridge back to the entry gully, keeping the wall to your left.
 * 3) North shoreline: Swim through the outer gully, following the base of the shoreline slope along the north shoreline as far as the submerged pinnacle below the path down the rocks, then to seaward and back to the main pinnacle.
 * 4) Far north gully: Swim through the outer gully and continue north east at about 5 to 7m depth with the high ground to your right until you get to the gully. This turns quite sharply into the cliff face and is unmistakable. Retrace you route to return, or go a little deeper to between 8 and 10m and swim back south west at this depth until you return to the pinnacle. Keep a lookout for Protea nudibranchs on salmon pink sponge outside the gully mouth.
 * 5) Spider crab search: Start by finding the Sponge Rock, or at least from that general area off the west side of the cove. Swim out to seaward and search all the Flagellar, Sinuous and Palmate sea fans. Cape long-legged Spider crabs, Sturdy Spider crabs, Toothed decorator crabs, and Sponge crabs may be found. Not all will be on the sea fans, but those will be the easiest to find. You should see a few burrowing anemones in this area too. If anchoring in this area, try not to damage the big Orange wall sponge on Sponge Rock.
 * 6) Cavern:From the shore entry gully keep the rock face of the inshore side to your left and follow the wall round the corner into the perpendicular gully. On your left you will find the mouth of the cavern, which runs parallel to the entry gully. Judge for yourself whether it is safe to enter, as the surge inside can be strong. There is not a great deal to be seen and the light from the cavern mouth is always visible from inside as it is only about 15m long and straight. you can not get lost, but could be battered against the roof by surge. It will be dark, and is rather pointless without a light. The cavern is wide enough to turn round at any point. This is an overhead environment, with no direct access to the surface.

Marine life
Various zones can be identified based on depth, exposure and substrate.

The shallower water to a depth of about 4 or 5 m is dominated by dense encrustations of red-bait, a large sea squirt, and a large variety of other organisms which find the red-bait pods a congenial home. False corals and sea fans are most noticeable on the steeper sides of the reef in the deeper depth range, and sponges are more common with increased depth. The smaller rounded boulders tend to be covered with encrusting sponges, hydroids, bryozoans and sea urchins, and in the shallower areas, a range of seaweeds. Big sea squirts in the pebble zone provide a substrate for other invertebrates, and this is also the place to find tubular hydroids and burrowing anemones.

Spider crabs seem to be fairly common on sea fans in the deeper reef and pebble zone to the west of the cove. (offshore from Sponge Rock)

A wide range of nudibranchs have been seen here on a regular basis. At least 20 species of Opisthobranch (sea slugs) have been seen at this site. It is not impossible to see as many as 12 species on a dive, though 6 to 8 is more likely. See Gallery for identification photographs of the nudibranchs discussed.
 * 1) Black nudibranch Tambja capensis is seen in depths usually deeper than 5 m, otherwise unpredictable. The adults are usually solitary, but some years ago large numbers of juveniles were seen on blue-green bushy bryozoan colonies, where they were well camouflaged.
 * 2) Blue-speckled nudibranch Dendrodoris caesia has been seen on the boulders in the bay at about 7 m depth between Sponge Rock and the Pinnacle.
 * 3) Brown-dotted nudibranch Cadlina sp2 are fairly frequently seen. Look for them on the fluffy lilac encrusting sponges which are common from about 6 m down.
 * 4) Brush nudibranch Tritonia sp.2. The olive green soft coral may be eaten by this animal or its offspring. This nudibranch has been seen inshore of the Pinnacle and at Sponge Rock.
 * 5) Cape dorid Hypselodoris capensis can sometimes be found on the lilac sponge, but also on other substrates. It is usually below 5 m depth, but is not restricted to a particular area.
 * 6) Coral nudibranch Phyllodesmium horridum is usually seen on the red Multicolour sea fans in depths from about 4 m to 8 m, mostly in the 6 m zone.
 * 7) Crowned Nudibranch Polycera capensis may be seen at various depths, on a variety of substrates. It is usually solitary and finding them is mostly a matter of luck and keeping a good look out.
 * 8) Dwarf warty pleurobranch Pleurobranchaea tarda has been seen on a cerianthid tube in the gravel zone.
 * 9) Fiery nudibranch Okenia amoenula is occasionally seen. At times it may be found on yellow scrolled false corals where it lays its eggs. There is a ridge to the south east of the pinnacle where there were large numbers at one time. Depth about 4 to 6 m.
 * 10) Gas-flame Nudibranch Bonisa nakaza is fairly common, but is usually found in deeper water, generally below 5 m. The blue tipped colour morph is most common here, often in the paler version. The orange tip has not been recorded from this site.
 * 11) Ghost nudibranch Lecithophorus capensis is often seen, frequently on bryozoans, but also on other surfaces. It may be at almost any depth, but is not common in winter.
 * 12) Heather's nudibranch or Red-spotted nudibranch Chromodoris heatherae is fairly common in the deeper areas to the north east of the pinnacle. It is quite easy to see as it is white with red spots.
 * 13) Ink spot nudibranch Ceratosoma ingozi is usually seen below 6 m, and seems most common below 8 m. It is usually quite common to the north east of the pinnacle.
 * 14) The Iridescent nudibranch Notobryon wardi is seen sporadically, mostly in fairly shallow water on red bait pods or encrusting algae of similar brown colour. (not seen in winter)
 * 15) The Lemon pleurobranch Berthellina granulata has been seen at night on the boulders just to the south west of the Pinnacle.
 * 16) Orange eyed nudibranch Cratena capensis has been reported but is unconfirmed.
 * 17) Protea nudibranch Noumea protea are small and hard to spot, they could be seen on a pink encrusting sponge on the south west and north east face of the pinnacle at about 8 m, and on the reefs off the large shore gully to the north. Unfortunately this colony seems to have died out. Sightings have been reported from the reefs towards Stone Dog.
 * 18) Red sponge nudibranch or Orange dorid Rostanga elandsia may occasionally be seen on orange encrusting sponge of exactly the same colour, making it very difficult to spot. At times it has been quite common.
 * 19) Scribbled nudibranch Doriopsilla miniata is occasionally seen. It favours the pale yellow teat sponge, but is also seen in other places.
 * 20) Silver tipped nudibranch Janolus capensis is usually common and can be found almost anywhere, any time of the year.
 * 21) Three-spot dorid Aldisa trimaculata has been recorded at Pinnacle, but is hardly ever seen there.
 * 22) Whip fan nudibranch Tritonia nilsodhneri has been seen on Flagellar and Sinuous sea fans in the gap south of the pinnacle and to the north east of the pinnacle.
 * 23) White edged nudibranch Flabellina capensis has been recorded, but is seldom seen at this site.

Features
A small cavern just below the surface that extends a few metres into the rock. It has a free surface in a narrow crack which extends most of the way to the back, so the surge can be very strong.

Photography
This is a good site for invertebrate photography, particularly macro work, as visibility is seldom good enough for anything else. Use external flash for anything further than about 300mm away to reduce backscatter. Wide angle lenses can also produce good results on a good day.

Hazards
Shore access requires a scramble down fairly steep rocks and a tricky entry and exit depending on swell. The path may be littered with broken glass. The cave may be unsafe if there is a moderate swell.

Skills
No special skills required. Night dives are best done from a boat as the climb is tricky in the dark. This is a popular site for training and for novice divers, also generally from a boat as the shore entry is a bit tricky for beginners.

A reasonable level of fitness is recommended for shore diving, as the path is rugged and steep. Walk down the path first and decide if you can do it in full kit.

Equipment
A light is recommended if you intend to go into the cave, and can be useful for looking into crevices and for restoring true color. The site is fairly complex and a compass is useful to orientate yourself in conjunction with the landmarks.

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


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Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pinnacle/Gallery

At least 20 species of Opisthobranch (sea slugs) have been seen at this site. It is not impossible to see as many as 12 species on a dive, though 6 to 8 is more likely at the Pinnacle dive site.

 Image:Black_nudibranch_at_Pinnacle_DSC02738.JPG|Black nudibranch Tambja capensis is seen in depths usually deeper than 5m, otherwise unpredictable. The adults are usually solitary, but some years ago large numbers of juveniles were seen on blue-green bushy bryozoan colonies, where they were well camouflaged.

Image:Blue_speckled_nudibranch_at_Pinnacle_DSC05658.JPG|Blue-speckled nudibranch Dendrodoris caesia has been seen on the boulders in the bay at about 7m depth between Sponge Rock and the Pinnacle.

Image:Brown_dotted_nudibranch_at_Pinnacle_DSC05679.JPG|Brown-dotted nudibranch Cadlina sp2 are fairly frequently seen. Look for them on the fluffy lilac encrusting sponges which are common from about 6m down.

Image:Brush_nudibranch_at_Pinnacle_DSC00569.JPG|Brush nudibranch Tritonia sp.2 with egg mass. The olive green soft coral may be eaten by this animal or its offspring.

Image:Cape_dorid_at_Pinnacle_DSC05620.JPG|Cape dorid Hypselodoris capensis can sometimes be found on the lilac sponge, but also on other substrates

Image:Coral_nudibranchs_DSC06844.JPG|Coral nudibranch Phyllodesmium horridum is often seen on the red Multicolour sea fans in depths from about 4m to 8m, mostly in the 6m zone.

Image:Crowned_nudibranch_on_the_Brunswick_DSC30006.JPG|Crowned Nudibranch Polycera capensis may be seen at various depths, on a variety of substrates. It is usually solitary and finding them is mostly a matter of luck and keeping a good look out.

Image:Dwarf_warty_pleurobranch_DSC04094.JPG|Dwarf warty pleurobranch Pleurobranchaea tarda has been seen on a cerianthid tube in the gravel zone.

Image:Fiery_nudubranch_at_Pinnacle_DSC00318.JPG|Fiery nudibranch Okenia amoenula is occasionally seen. At times it may be found on yellow scrolled false corals where it lays its eggs. There is a ridge to the south east of the pinnacle where there were large numbers at one time. Depth about 4 to 6m.

Image:Gas_flame_nudibranch_at_Oakburn_DSC09081.JPG|Gas-flame Nudibranch Bonisa nakaza is fairly common, but is usually found in deeper water, generally below 5m.

Image:Ghost_nudibranch_at_Pinnacle_DSC00370.JPG|Ghost nudibranch Lecithophorus capensis is often seen, frequently on bryozoans, but also on other surfaces. It may be at almost any depth. (not common in winter)

Image:Heather's_nudibranch_at_Pinnacle_DSC02698.JPG|Heather's nudibranch or Red-spotted nudibranch Chromodoris heatherae is fairly common in the deeper areas to the north east of the pinnacle. It is quite easy to see as it is white with red spots.

Image:Inkspot_nudibranch_at_Pinnacle_DSC02731.JPG|Ink spot nudibranch Ceratosoma ingozi is usually seen below 6m, and seems most common below 8m. It is usually quite common to the north east of the pinnacle.

Image:Iridescent_nudibranch_DSC02116.JPG|The Iridescent nudibranch Notobryon wardi is seen sporadically, mostly in fairly shallow water on red bait pods or encrusting algae of similar brown colour. (not seen in winter)

Image:Lemon_pleurobranch_DSC02038.JPG|The Lemon pleurobranch Berthellina granulata has been seen at night on the boulders just to the south of the pinnacle.

Image:|Orange eyed nudibranch Cratena capensis has been reported but is unconfirmed.

Image:Protea_nudibranch_at_Pinnacle_DSC05681.JPG|Protea nudibranch Noumea protea are small and hard to spot, they may be seen on a pink encrusting sponge on the south west and north east face of the pinnacle at about 8m, and on the reefs off the large shore gully to the north. (All year)

Image:Red_sponge_nudibranch_at_Pinnacle_DSC05676.JPG|Red sponge nudibranch or Orange dorid Rostanga elandsia may occasionally be seen on orange encrusting sponge of exactly the same colour, making it very difficult to spot. At times it has been quite common.

Image:Scribbled_nudibranch_and_Protea_nudibranch_at_Pinnacle_DSC06392.JPG|Scribbled nudibranch Doriopsilla miniata is occasionally seen. It favours the pale yellow turreted sponge, but is also seen in other places.

Image:Silver_tipped_nudibranch_DSC03868.JPG|The Silver tipped nudibranch Janolus capensis is usually common and can be found almost anywhere.

Image:Tritonia_sp_nudibranch_DSC03139.JPG|Soft coral nuibranch Tritonia sp has been seen at Sponge Rock and in the gap south of the pinnacle.

Image:Three_spot_dord_at_pinnacle_DSC02593.JPG|Three-spot dorid Aldisa trimaculata has been recorded at Pinnacle, but is hardly ever seen.

Image:Whip_fan_nudibranch_at_Pinnacle_2_DSC06399.JPG|Whip fan nudibranch Tritonia nilsodhneri has been seen on Flagellar and Sinuous sea fans in the gap south of the pinnacle and to the north east of the pinnacle.

Image:White lined nudibranch DSC02472.jpg|White edged nudibranch Flabellina capensis has been recorded, but is seldom seen at this site.

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Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pyramid Rock reef and Shark Alley

Pyramid Rock reef and Shark Alley is an inshore rocky reef area in the Castle Rocks restricted area on the False Bay coast of the Cape Peninsula, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It includes the dive sites Pyramid Rock, Shark Alley, and Castle Pinnacles.

Understand
Pyramid Rock reef is the best dive site near Cape Town for variety of fish, and Shark alley, along its inshore edge, is the best site near Cape Town to see Cow sharks, although they have occasionally been reported from other sites in False Bay.

Position

 * S34°14.21’ E018°28.60’— (Approximate) A mostly sandy bottomed site between Pyramid Reef and the shoreline reef between Rumbly Bay and Castle Rock.
 * S34°14.225’ E018°28.700’ — Between Miller’s Point and Castle Rocks, a short distance offshore (about 250 m). It is always visible, either as pointed black rock above the surface or as a patch of white water at very high tide. On a very low tide there is another lower rock nearby which also breaks the surface.
 * S34°14.363’ E018°28.827’ — The south-easternmost part of the reef, bordering the outer end of the long sandy gully between Pyramid Rock reef and Castle Rock reef. Depth on the bottom is about 15 m, and the top of the pinnacle is less than 9 m deep.

This site is entirely inside the Castle Rocks Restricted Zone in the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area (2004). A permit is required.

Name
The reef is named "Pyramid" for the pointed rock that marks the site. It projects above the water at all tides and is easily identified. The name "Shark Alley"refers to the Cow sharks Notorhynchus cepedianus frequently seen at the site, and the topography of the site, which is in the form of a relatively deep sandy bottomed alley between the shore and the higher reefs at Pyramid, a little further out. Sightings have declined considerably, possibly as a result of predation by orcas.

Depth
Maximum depth is at about 18 m in the Sansui Reef area to the southwest, and maximum depth of Shark Alley is about 12 m, with an average of about 8 m in the alley.

Topography
Large granite corestone boulders on outcrops with sand patches in deep areas and at the bottom of some gullies. There are several small tunnels, caves and overhangs. Further offshore there is sand bottom between the pyramid reefs and the Pie Rock and Outer Castle reefs. Offshore sand is pinkish and moderately coarse and even grained. Large inshore patches are of finer and whiter sand, particularly the sandy area at Shark Alley to the west and the sand tongue to the south which separates Pyramid reefs from Castle Rocks reefs. There is dense kelp forest on shallower rocks and near-shore reef.

Geology: Granite corestone boulders of the Pre-Cambrian Peninsula pluton, and wave rounded sandstone boulders from overlaying formations.

Conditions
Usually considered to be a winter dive but there are also occasional opportunities in spring and autumn. The site is well sheltered from north west wind and chop. Swell from the south west or south east will cause surge. Judge by the conditions at the entry point and the colour of the water further out.

Facilities
Parking at the side of the road is not very secure, and you also have to take into account baboons, which may investigate your vehicle in the hope of finding food. Lock the car and put any valuables where they can not be seen.

Get in
The site may be dived from shore or boat.

Shore entry: Parking at the side of the road. The usual entry point is at a small rocky beach just inshore of Pyramid rock and north of Castle Rocks at a position along the shoreline at S34°14.288’ E018°28.537’. Check out the pathways leading down to the shore before kitting up, as some are worse than others. All are steep and slippery when wet, some are dangerously so. The shore entry is over some small rounded boulders on the beach, and bigger ones in the water, and can be a little tricky if there is a swell, as this results in a small shore break which can be troublesome if you are carrying a large camera with strobes.

Alternative shore entry from Castle Rocks north entry at S34°14'19.98" E018°28'35.92"

Another alternative shore entry is from Rumbly Bay. Entry at the old slipway at the Cape Boat Club. This access can be risky if the slip is in use. Keep a good lookout for boats being launched or recovered, they may not be able to keep clear of you, as the channel is narrow and shallow, with rocks and heavy kelp to both sides, and swell and cross winds to contend with, so stay well away from them and out of the boat lane. The route is either around north of the exposed rocks, along the edge of the boat lane, then follow the edge of the kelp until you are in the alley, or cut through the gap south of the exposed rocks, which is much safer, as boats do not go there, but more effort, as the kelp is heavy, and navigation is by compass. The slipway can be very slippery due to algal growth below the high tide mark.

Boat dives at this site are popular as many divers do not like the shore access, particularly when carrying cameras. Boat access requires care due to the kelp forests offshore of the site. There is a sandy gap between the north side of Castle Rocks and Pyramid which extends near to the shore and which is relatively clear of kelp, and the site can also be approached from the north east through an area with sparse kelp, which is the far north part of the alley. This does not appear to bother the sharks. The site is approximately 1.9 km from Miller's Point slipway and 9.1km from Simon's Town jetty.

Do
Dive at one of the listed drop points and explore the vicinity, or follow one of the suggested routes

 * S34°14.21’ E018°28.60’— (Approximate) A mostly sandy bottomed site between Pyramid Reef and the shoreline reef between Rumbly Bay and Castle Rock. Big granite boulders and outcrops with sand patches. Fairly dense kelp forest on the reefs on both sides, and more sparse kelp on the rocks in the alley. The south end of the alley has many fairly large boulders, and lots of smaller boulders and outcrops with occasional sandy gaps. Further north it opens up with larger sandy gaps until there is more sand than rock. The rock outcrops in this area are like small islands in a sea of sand. The sand is coarse and clean and light. This sand patch extends a considerable distance to the north east, getting wider the further you go. The sharks seem to favour the south end of the alley, or it may be that because it is narrower, they tend to be more easy to find there as they cruise up and down the alley.

 * S34°14.220’ E018°28.810’ — A shallow area of small pinnacles northeast of Pyramid Rock.

 * S34°14.225’ E018°28.700’ — Between Miller’s Point and Castle Rocks, a short distance offshore (about 250 m). It is always visible, either as pointed black rock above the surface or as a patch of white water at very high tide. The rock itself is unmistakable and easy to identify as it extends above the surface at almost all states of the tide. The area has a number of huge boulders forming overhangs, gullies and the occasional small swim-through. To the north, the reef is lower and flatter, with fairly large open areas, and to the east it is largely unexplored.

 * S34°14.356' E018°28.826' — A group of fairly tall pinnacles along the edge of the sand. One of them has a large swim-through under it. To the northwest of the point at Castle Rocks across a sand tongue from the Castle Rocks reef, there is an area of large boulders and pinnacles. The pinnacles rise from a bottom of about 15 to 18 m, and in one case to within 3 m of the surface, and are huge sheer sided boulders. There are two major groups, the first one is a single large block with a crack along the middle. The second, in line with the first, but further out, is a jumble of rocks with caves, gullies and overhangs. There are more pinnacles further out, but they are not as high. One of these pinnacles has a double swim-through under it. Originally they were considered part of the Castle Rocks reef area, but they are separated by a stretch of sand, and are actually part of the Pyramid reef area.

 * S34°14.35?’ E018°28.84?’ — (approximate) An area of picturesque small ridges and boulders on a rippled white sand bottom near the Castle Pinnacles. Quite picturesque in good visibility, and reminiscent of the Japanese gardening style after which it was named.

Routes
Pyramid: There are no good areas for anchoring. Any place close to the pinnacle is likely to foul the anchor and damage the reef life. A shotline is also not necessary or desirable for ordinary recreational dives.
 * 1) Entry at North access point at Castle Rocks, Surface swim to the pyramid rock. Descend and circumnavigate the pinnacle, compass course back to Castle Rocks about SW (225° magnetic).
 * 2) Entry at North access point at Castle Rocks, descend and swim north-west over the sand to the reef to the north, Follow the south edge of this reef eastwards to the pinnacles.
 * 3) If you go beyond the pinnacles with the reef edge to your left, you will get to the Sansui Reefs.
 * 4) Alternative entry at Shark Alley entry, surface swim to the Pyramid rock and dive around it. To get back to the entry point, swim on a bearing of roughly east to north east magnetic and if you come to the sand patch, follow it in (about 320° magnetic). If you surface north of the entry point, there is a very rocky area which should be avoided if possible. Try to get back under water to stay under the kelp canopy if your air supply allows.
 * 5) Alternative entry and exit at Rumbly Bay slipway at Miller's Point. Swim out around the big exposed rocks, descend and swim a compass course towards Pyramid. The reef gets better as you move south.

Shark Alley: The dives at this site involve getting to Shark Alley, and hanging around waiting for sharks. You can find sharks by looking for them, but you will see more fish if you wait quietly at a suitable place, and the sharks will come to you. They seem to like a close view and in some cases will pass within arms reach. It has never yet been necessary to fend them off. If you swim towards them they will usually swim away, very quickly if startled.

Shore dives: Entry at rocky shore below the road north of Castle Rocks point. There is a large flattish sloping rock which is good for exits and for entry if the tide is high. At low tide enter slightly south of this point where the kelp is most open. Surface swim about 80m through the kelp to the gap between the inshore forest and the Pyramid reef forest. Descend and work your way north and back and forth between the kelp forests. If you find a large relatively isolated rock with small bare rocky patches at its base, this is a good place to wait for fish. The alley is a bit over 200 m long.

If you swim below the kelp to get to Shark Alley, use a course of about southeast magnetic, follow the southern edge of the kelp for about 80m and turn northeast when you come to a group of rocks with kelp on top extending a bit to the south into the sand tongue. It may be necessary to surface to see where you are, as there are few easily recognisable landmarks. Those which may help are sand patches, relatively sparse kelp and a sudden increase of height of the rocks on the far side. There is a boulder pinnacle of moderate size in the alley which is close to the southern end. Sharks and other fish are often seen in this area.

Boat dives: Adapt the route to suit where the boat drops you off.

Marine life
Pyramid Rock: This is a very good site for fish, particularly on rebreather, as it has been a sanctuary for many years. This is a site where you may see Red steenbras, Red stumpnose, Bank steenbras, Janbruin, and Galjoen as well as the more common species like Hottentot, Roman, Jutjaw, Blacktail, Steentjies, Fransmadam, Two tone fingerfin, Redfingers and Strepies, and some of the common local Klipfish species. Cow sharks, Spotted gully sharks, Striped and Leopard catsharks and Puffadder shysharks may also be seen. There is kelp forest all round the site, and various seaweeds, particularly in the shallower areas and tops of rocks. There is also a large diversity of invertebrates.

Photography
Pyramid is a good site for fish and macro photography. If you want to use flash, use an external strobe to reduce backscatter.

Shark Alley is a good site to photograph sharks. Water clarity is seldom more than 8 to 10 m, and often less, and particulates will cause backscatter, so ambient light is often used. However the sharks will often approach very close to the diver, so wide angle lenses can also be useful.

Hazards
The shore access can be tricky in a surge, particularly the exit, and technically the Cow sharks may be considered a hazard, as they are large and have cutting edged teeth as they feed on seals. This does not stop many divers.

There are groups of people who prowl the parking areas of this site on the main road. They have broken into several cars, and stolen either contents or the whole vehicle. It would be prudent to get someone to watch the car or hire a car guard. Also don't leave your car with valuables visible through the windows.

Wild baboons in the area will enter cars to look for food - do not leave your car doors open even if there is no food inside, even while you are near the car unless you are at the open door. Some of them know how to open an unlocked car door, so even closing the door is no guarantee that they will not get in and trash your loose goods.

Skills
No special skills required. A good site for the fit and competent snorkeller. A reasonable level of fitness and agility is required for the shore entries. There is a moderately long swim and a climb up to the road.

Equipment
A light is useful to see into holes and overhangs. A compass will help keep your bearings and let you navigate back to shore under water. A surface marker buoy is not recommended as it will get caught up in the kelp.

Nearby

Back to the Alphabetical list of sites, or list of dive sites in the Castle Rocks area

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

 * Dive sites of False Bay offshore and approaches
 * Dive sites of False Bay east coast
 * Fresh water dive sites of the Cape Town Metropolitan Area


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Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Quarry

The dive site Quarry is an inshore rocky reef in the Fish Hoek to Glencairn area on the False Bay coast of the Cape Peninsula, in Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa.

The site is easily accessible from the shore in good weather.

Position

 * S34°09.390’ E018°26.157’ — (Entry/exit ledge)

The site may be easily identified by a short wall at the side of the road with a sign indicating the boundary of Simon's Town, and a large paved parking area between the road and the railway line.

This site is in the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area since 2004. A permit is required.

Name
The site name "Quarry" refers to the old sandstone quarry in the hillside above the road slightly to the north, which was closed in the late 1970s.

Depth
The site is shallow, the 10 m contour is about 250 m offshore.

Topography
Sloping ramp-like ridges approximately perpendicular to shoreline (roughly north west/south east). Occasional sandy pockets. Relief not very high. The edge of the entry ledge is about 1.5 to 2 m high, but most of the reef is flatter. The reef runs out offshore, and then after a sandy patch there is more rocky reef in the form of outcrops with sand between, and further out some areas with pebbles, further north is similar but flatter. Not a spectacular site, but provides substrate and shelter for a wide range of organisms.

Geology: Ordivician sandstone of the Table Mountain group. Probably Peninsula formation, or the underlying Graafwater formation. Strike is east/west, and the dip is shallow (about 10°) and to the south.

Conditions
The site is exposed to south easterly wind and waves. It is reasonably sheltered from short period south westerly swell, and the site is usually at its best in winter, but there are also occasional opportunities during autumn and spring. Some surge is to be expected, particularly in the shallower areas, and entries and exits should be timed to coincide with lulls in the wave sets. The site may be diveable when more popular sites to the south side of Simon’s Town are too rough. Judge by the conditions at the entry ledge.

Facilities
Adequate and convenient tarred parking lot at the Whale Lookout. Park as near to the top of the hill as possible, as this is where the path to the entry point starts.

Get in
Off-road parking is available at the "Simon’s Town" Sign just before Glencairn at S34°09.384', E018°26.117'. Shown in the aerial photo as a strip of tarred surface joining the main road near the top of the picture. The path starts at a gate in the fence at the top of the parking lot, near the white wall with the Simon’s Town sign. Cross the railway line and walk down to the sloping sandstone ridge (top centre). Enter and exit from the north side of this ridge at a position which suits the state of the tide. Dive to the east and north of the entry point.

Marine life
Close inshore there are sparse kelp forests with occasional Red bait, lots of bushy corallines and quite a few urchins on the flatter areas. The walls and overhangs support a far wider variety of life. Further out the sandy areas are fairly bare, with buried Golden sea cucumbers and long tube fanworms, a few plough shells and Long siphoned whelks. The deeper reefs have gorgonian sea fans, Mauve sea cucumbers, lots of Common feather stars and a few Elegant feather stars. The pebble beds among the deeper reefs have a few cerianthids, the flatter reefs to the north have Red chested cucumbers and colonial ascidians in moderate numbers.

Photography
The site is quite good for invertebrate photography. (photographic equipment suggestions)

Routes
Entry from sloping rock ledge. Dive and work your way along the wall of the ledge, find the little overhangs and horizontal crevices, some with sand at the bottom. Then move further out generally following the ridge in a more or less SSE direction (about 160° magnetic), cross over a patch of sand to more reef, mostly quite low. Continue in this way navigating by compass, surge direction and reef trend to about 250m offshore or as your air supply allows, then turn and head magnetic north for a while, then when back over reef, swing round to west. Surface when shallow or low on air and head back to the ledge to exit.

Hazards
Railway crossing. Slippery rocks at entry/exit point.

Skills
No special skills are required. The site is suitable for novices and snorkelling, and appears suitable for night dives.

Equipment
No special equipment recommended. A compass can be convenient to keep track of where you are.

Nearby

Back to the list of Alphabetical list of sites, or dive sites in the Fish Hoek and Glencairn area

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

 * Dive sites of False Bay offshore and approaches
 * Dive sites of False Bay east coast
 * Fresh water dive sites of the Cape Town Metropolitan Area


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Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Rambler Rock

Rambler Rock is a cluster of offshore rocky reefs in the Simon's Town area on the Cape Peninsula side of False Bay, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It includes several sections of reef, such as the North-west pinnacle, the North Central Reef, the North-east reefs, the Southern pinnacles and surrounding reef, and the small reef section at Hotlips pinnacle. Several other patches of reef in this area have not yet been surveyed or named. If they have been dived, no-one has recorded them.

Understand
The North-west pinnacle is particularly scenic in good visibility.

Position
A group of reefs south east of the Roman Rock lighthouse off Simon’s Town Harbour. It is marked on the SAN charts which show two major groups of rocks at this site: the north group and the south group. There are several patches of reef in each group, and the ones that have been mapped are listed here.
 * S34°10.924’ E018°27.899’
 * S34°10.930’ E018°27.930’ Approximately central.
 * S34°10.916' E018°27.996'
 * S34°11.011’ E018°27.918’
 * S34°11.145' E018°28.091'

This site is in a Marine Protected Area (2004). A permit is required. It is outside (east) of the Boulders Restricted Zone.

Name
The reef is marked on the SA Navy charts as "Rambler Rock".

Depth

 * Maximum depth about 22 m on the sand at the North-west pinnacle. Top of the pinnacle is about 10 m.
 * Maximum depth at the North-eastern reefs is about 27 m on the sand. The top of this section is at about 14 m.
 * The central northern reef is fairly flat. Most of it is above 24 m and below 21 m.
 * The Southern reef has pinnacles rising to a bit above 9 m, and the surrounding sand can be as deep as 26 m to the east.
 * The far south-eastern reef Hotlips pinnacle has sand bottom at 30 m to the east, and rises to a fairly flat-topped pinnacle at between 18 and 21 m.

Visibility
Visibility is difficult to predict, and may differ from sites further inshore (usually better) and further south (may be better or worse). When conditions are generally good for this area it may be in excess of 10 m, more commonly a bit less.

Topography
This area has several separate areas of reef, some close enough together to be visible across the sand between them, others further apart, but they are all known as the Rambler Rock reefs. It is not even clear which is the nominal Rambler Rock, though only the North-west pinnacle and the bigger reef with the Southern Pinnacles seem reasonable candidates, because of their depths.

North-west Pinnacle is high and compact, while Southern Pinnacles is massive and spread out. The North-east reefs are deeper and moderately compact, the North central reef is spread out and relatively low. Hotlips is a bit of an outlier – its pinnacle area is quite a long way from the others – but sonar images show almost continuous reef between them and the southern sector, so they are grouped together for now.

Geology: Granite corestone outcrops and boulders of the late Pre-Cambrian Peninsula pluton.

Conditions
This site can be dived at any time of the year that has low or short period swell. Poor visibility at the surface does not necessarily extend to the bottom. The site is exposed to winds from all directions, which can produce an unpleasant choppy sea, and make it difficult for the boat crew to see a diver on the surface. The site is usually at its best in winter and spring, as it is well sheltered from westerly swells.

Get in
This site is only accessible by boat. It is about 3.9 km from Simon's Town jetty or 5.4 km from Miller's Point slipway.

Do
Dive at one of the drop points and explore the reef in that vicinity, or follow a suggested route.

 * S34°10.924’ E018°27.899’. A pinnacle of very large boulders and outcrops concentrated in an area about 25 m diameter. The top of the pinnacle is at about 11 m depth. The pinnacle is surrounded by scattered small low boulders and outcrops over a larger area (About 75 m East to West, 35 m North to South), on a coarse sand bottom, at a depth of just over 24 m. Some nice gullies, crevices, overhangs and holes in the deeper areas. Particularly colourful on vertical and overhanging areas, and the topography is fairly spectacular in good visibility. Extensively mapped, though some details may have been missed. Live boat dive. Drop onto the pinnacle and explore. It is small enough to swim around a few times at varying depth, so start at the bottom and work your way up. The kelp is restricted to the top so a SMB can be towed easily. Alternatively use the shotline or deploy your DSMB at the end of the dive.

 * S34°10.930’ E018°27.930’. Quite a large section of reef approximately central between North-west pinnacle and North-east reefs.  Most of this reef has been mapped and the edges are low to medium profile granite, rising up to about 19 m over quite a large area, surrounded by sand at about 24 m. No special routes known, though the reef seems to be more varied to the east.

 * S34°10.916' E018°27.996'. Extensive fairly low profile reef with areas of moderately high profile boulders. Not very well known, but pleasantly varied. Mostly mapped though some details may have been missed, and the depth on the surrounding sand is not known in any detail. The main pinnacle is a big outcrop with a flattish top at about 22 m, with a big boulder perched on top, rising to about 14 m, surrounded by large area of lower reef, mostly below 21 m, with a few local shallows about 18 m. Flat sand surrounds the reef at about 25 to 26 m. Larger, but more spread out than the north-western pinnacle, so not as spectacular in good visibility. Start at the pinnacle, and explore the surrounding reef. There are no recommended routes.

There are several outlying reefs even further to the north and east of the North-east reefs. Those that have been visited and partly surveyed appear to be fairly substantial ridges of bedrock with sandy gaps between them, and not many boulders. Profile and rugosity is low to moderate, and the biodiversity is nothing special.

 * S34°11.011’ E018°27.918’. Extensive granite reef. The pinnacle rises to the shallowest depth of about 8 m to the north-west of the reef. There are several areas of about 18 m depth in the central part of the reef, but most is deeper than 18 m. Profile is moderately high over a large part of the reef, and there are occasional sand-filled gullies. Extensively mapped, but there may be details that have been missed. Lots of sea fans and soft corals, sea cucumbers and brittle stars. Start at the pinnacle. The highest profile area is along the north edge. The reef is large and there are no special recommendations for the route of a dive.

 * S34°11.145' E018°28.091'. The reef is a compact granite outcrop, surrounded by sand, rising to about 18 m on top, and running roughly east to west. The pinnacle has a fairly flat top, mostly just below 18 m deep, with surrounding low to medium profile reef of blocky boulders and low bedrock. Maximum depth is about 30 m on sand to the east. There are large numbers of sea fans, and areas with dense populations of mauve sea cucumbers. Very large numbers of frilled nudibranchs seen in January 2021, including several clusters of 10 or more. This section of reef is named after the Hotlips spider crab, Achaeopsis spinulosus, several of which were seen on the first recorded dive on 16th February 2015.

Marine life
The rocks are encrusted with a variety of organisms depending on depth and orientation. There are kelp and sea urchins on the tops of the pinnacles, and Red-bait and other large solitary ascidians scattered around. The steeper sides are largely covered by common feather stars, There are also occasional sea fans, some quite large. The sand is coarse and shelly near the rocks, and there are sand stars, brittle stars, sand slugs, burrowing anemones and purple sea pens on the sand.

Photography
This is a good photographic site. Unless the visibility is particularly good, macro equipment will usually give the best results.

Hazards
A Great White shark was once seen by a group of scuba divers at the northern pinnacle.

Skills
No special skills required, but much of the reef is below the depths recommended for entry level divers. The ability to deploy a DSMB is useful as dives are from a live boat.

Equipment
A light is useful to restore colour at depth, a compass to keep track of your movements, a DSMB to let the boat know where you are surfacing, and nitrox can extend no-decompression time significantly in this depth range.

Nearby

Back to the Alphabetical list of sites, or list of dive sites in the Roman Rock area

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

 * Dive sites of False Bay offshore and approaches
 * Dive sites of False Bay east coast
 * Fresh water dive sites of the Cape Town Metropolitan Area


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Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/RMS Athens

The dive site RMS Athens is an inshore historical wreck in the Green Point area on the Atlantic seaboard of the Cape Peninsula in 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.
 * S33°53.85’ E018°24.57’ — Engine block (approximate)

Name
The "Royal Mail Ship Athens" was an iron steam screw barque of 739 tons, built in 1856 by Denny of Dumbarton and operated by the Union shipping company. It was wrecked between Mouille Point and Green Point on 17 May, 1865 at night after the boiler fires were extinguished by heavy seas during a north-west gale while trying to steam out of Table Bay. The ship had been lying at anchor while preparing for a voyage to Mauritius. The site can be identified by the remains of the engine-block, which is visible above the water. The Piscataqua was wrecked at the same place.

Depth
Maximum depth is about 7 m, average about 5 m. Some of the wreckage is very shallow and in the surf zone.

Visibility
In conditions when the site is diveable, the visibility will generally be quite good, and the site is very shallow, so there will usually be good light, but the site is also largely in the surf zone, so if there is anything of a break, the visibility may be reduced by wave action picking up any sand and shell particles that may be among the rocks.

Topography
Rocks form ridges and gullies, aligned in general perpendicular to the shoreline. The major landmark of the site is a low pressure piston and part of the cylinder from the ship's engine, standing on top of the reef and exposed above the water

Geology: Precambrian sedimentary rocks, probably of the Tygerberg formation of the Malmesbury series. Strike appears to be north-south, Dip is nearly vertical. The rock appears to be very resistant to wear and fractures in nearly rectangular blocks. The natural colour is probably a dark grey.

Conditions
The surge can be quite strong. The site is very exposed to westerly seas, and moderately exposed to south westerly swell, so should be dived in relatively flat seas, and is most likely to be good in summer. The site is completely protected from waves from the south east and can be dived during south easterly winds with little risk.

Get in
This site can be accessed from a boat or from shore. The site is about 1 km from the Oceana power boat club slipway at Granger Bay.

For a shore entry, follow Beach Road from Sea Point to Mouille Point past the Green Point lighthouse. Pass Fritz Sonnenberg Road on the right and look for the car park on the left. The wreck lies a little further west. Part of the engine block can be seen approximately 75 m out from the high water mark. It is easiest to approach by way of the parallel gullies leading to the site

Marine life
The shoreline reef are the substrate for a moderately dense kelp forest of sea bamboo. and the understorey includes areas of algal turf where there is some protection from the strongest pounding of the waves. The more exposed areas are generally coated with encrusting coralline algae, also known as "pink paint" for the appearance. There are usually moderate numbers of West Coast rock lobster, a few abalone, it they haven't been poached yet, and a small variety of sea squirts, starfish, urchins, small sponges and bryozoans, mostly in small gaps and crevices among the rocks and wreckage.

Features
Iron wreck of historical interest. Other wrecks in the vicinity include the Piscataqua, an American ship of 890 tons, wrecked here on 19 July 1865. The wreckage of the Athens is very broken up, and what remains is mostly structural iron sections heavy enough to have survived this long and which have been wedged into the reef and concreted there by the combination of rust and encrustations of marine life. In most cases the wreckage requires close inspection to distinguish it from the reef.

Photography
There will usually be plenty of light, adequate for wide angle shots, but a flash may still be necessary for macro work. The subjects are somewhat limited. Most of the wreckage will look very much like the reef in a photo, and the marine life is not particularly diverse. Avoid big cameras with long strobe arms, they will snag when you are washed through the kelp by the surge.

Routes
No particular route recommended.

Hazards
The surge and breaking waves in the shallower areas could be a problem in rough weather and to the weaker or less experienced diver.

Skills
No special skills recommended. Fitness should be sufficient to deal with the wave conditions of the day.

Equipment
No special equipment recommended. Avoid all dangling equipment that can hook on the kelp. Stay streamlined.

Nearby

Back to the Alphabetical list of sites, or list of dive sites in the Table Bay area

Other regional dive sites:
 * Dive sites of the Cape Peninsula west coast
 * Dive sites of the Cape Peninsula east coast
 * Dive sites of False Bay offshore and approaches
 * Dive sites of False Bay east coast
 * Fresh water dive sites of the Cape Town Metropolitan Area


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Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Rocklands blinder

The dive site Rocklands Blinder or Seal Colony is an inshore rocky reef in the Rocklands Point area on the False Bay coast of the Cape Peninsula, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa.

Position
S34°12.9’ E018°28.0’ (Middle of main reef) About 170m at 080° magnetic from the north entry point at Rocklands Point.

The position of the reef can often be identified by the breaking swell over it, particularly at low tide.

This site is in a Marine Protected Area (2004). A permit is required.

Name
The name "Rocklands Blinder" is a simple description. The site is a submerged reef which breaks in a moderate swell, and it is off Rocklands Point. The alternative name "Seal Colony" refers to the congregation of seals often seen at this site.

Depth
Maximum depth is about 13 m on the sand beyond the rocks. Top of the reef at about 3 to 4 m.

Topography
The reef is an outcrop of granite corestones in two main sections divided by a north/south gulley. The bigger western outcrop is high, with the highest point within 4m of surface, sloping up from the low reef to the south then falling away steeply to the sand. The eastern section is fairly steep sided all round, with a small, low outlier to the north. The main reef extends approximately 80 m from east to west and the smaller reef about 18 m from east to west. The gap between them is about 4 to 5 m wide. Low reef extends south from the main reef to Spaniard Rock, with occasional small sandy gaps between rocks.

Geology: Late Pre-Cambrian granite of the Peninsula pluton

Conditions
Suitable if entry conditions are OK. Best if swell very low. Winter dive site, should be good after north-westerlies. Getting back to the shore entry/exit could be a problem in a strong offshore wind (North-west).

Facilities
Adequate parking on the gravel at the side of the road. The paths down to the shoreline are steep and slippery.

Get in
This site is dived from shore or boat.

Boat dive 1.8 km from Miller's Point slipway, or ?? km from Simon's Town jetty.

Shore dive from Rocklands Point. There is adequate parking on the gravel lay-bye on the seaward side of the main road (M4), near the signpost warning against baboons. Access to the shore is poor. There are several steep eroded paths, some worse than others. Choose the one that looks best on the day. All are slippery and steep, with loose gravel. If you have a large group it may be worth arranging a rope for safety, otherwise a walking stick or staff could be useful.

Marine life
The reef has a zone of heavy red-bait at the top, with sparse Split fan kelp, and lower down is mostly covered by common feather stars with patches of Red-chested and Mauve sea cucumbers, Striped anemones, and Strawberry anemones. About 10 species of nudibranch have been seen at this site, though some are quite rare and some very small. Seals are often seen.

Photography
This is a good site for invertebrate photography. Macro and wide angle lenses will usually produce good results

Routes
Either swim out on the surface to the reef of go by boat. Position is most easily fixed by GPS, but it is usually possible to see the reef from the surface. Dive anywhere on and round the reef. After you have seen the reef, either return to the boat or swim back to shore on a compass course. 250° magnetic from the west end of the high reef, or 275° magnetic from the east side of the east pinnacle.

Hazards
Offshore wind may increase in strength significantly during the dive. The path is steep and slippery, specially after rain, and usually in poor repair.

Skills
No special skills required for boat dives. Ability to navigate by compass, and reasonable fitness and agility are required for a shore dive.

Equipment
A compass is recommended for shore dives to this site as there are sections where there are no reliable landmarks.

Nearby

Back to the Alphabetical list of sites, or list of dive sites in the Rocklands Point area

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

 * Dive sites of False Bay offshore and approaches
 * Dive sites of False Bay east coast
 * Fresh water dive sites of the Cape Town Metropolitan Area


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Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Rocky Bank

The dive site Rocky Bank is an offshore rocky reef in the mouth of False Bay, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa.

Understand
This site has a different ambience to other Cape Peninsula and False Bay sites, and may have better visibility much of the time. The reef is spectacularly colourful in artificial light, and may have better visibility over a wider range of surface conditions, but has not been dived enough to be reliably predictable. It is a long boat ride, and the risk of getting lost at sea in rough conditions may not be acceptable.

Position

 * S34°24.93' E18°35.50' (arbitrary nominal position)

This site is not in a Marine Protected Area (2004). A permit is not required.

Name
The name "Rocky Bank" is recorded on the SA Navy charts of the area. It is also a simple description of the area which is a bank of hard sandstone, mostly between 25 and 30 m deep on top.

Depth
The top of the bank is at about 22 m. The chart suggests that the area shallower than 30 m is about 2 square kilometres, and it slopes down gradually to over 100 m to the south. Most dives reported have been in the 25 to 30 m depth range. It has been difficult to find shallower areas due to the general flatness of the bottom.

Visibility
The bank has not been dived extensively, but there are indications that the visibility is usually better than average for the False Bay region, as the bottom is rocky, there can be a current, and the water is fairly deep and quite far from the coast, so waves will not easily disturb any sediment, and the current would carry it away rapidly. Visibility has been reported at between 10 and 20 m at the bottom. Algal blooms may reduce visibility near the surface to less than 5 m. Visibility can be good to excellent (over 15 m) on days when the inshore dive sites are murky, and even Whittle Rock is mediocre. Possibly the Cape Town dive site with the most consistently good visibility.

Topography
This is a large area, and probably varies considerably from place to place. Reports indicate that a large area is moderately flat hard sandstone reef with low dip angle, so there are steps rather than ridges. However there are areas with profile in the order of 2 to 3 m gullies and ridges. The bank is mostly between 25 and 30 m deep on top, gradually sloping down in all directions, with the deepest adjacent areas to the east and south, remaining somewhat shallower to the west and north.

Divers have found it difficult to find the shallower areas due to the general flatness of the bottom. There is no general uphill trend discernible, so one finds local rises of a metre or two, then it slopes down again. Southern areas may have higher profile than northern areas, but the sample is not big enough to establish a trend.

Geology: Sandstones, probably of the Table Mountain series. Strike direction is unknown, Dip direction also not known and fairly flat.

Conditions
The site is exposed to wind and waves from all directions, and the prevailing south-westerly open ocean swell is not greatly attenuated by the bottom when it reaches the bank, so should be dived in reasonably calm conditions. This may occur at any time of the year. Use the sea state and weather forecasts for planning. A choppy sea will give a long, slow, uncomfortable ride in both directions.

Get in
This site is only accessible by boat. It is about 24 km from Miller's Point slipway, 31km from Simon's Town Jetty,or 37 km from Gordon's Bay Old Harbour.

Do
Dive at one of the drop points listed and explore the vicinity, or choose another point and see what you find. Most of the reef is unexplored, and though most of it has been surveyed by multibeam sonar, the images have not yet been published. The listed points indicate depth at the point. Depth does not usually vary much within a reasonable distance as the reef is not very steep overall and profile is moderate to low in most places.

 * 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°25.126’ E018°35.756’. Drop onto about 36m and travel northwest up a series of low steps.

 * S34°24.941’ E018°36.512’, A long east–west gnarly drop-off about 5 to 8 m high, with heavy encrustation of noble corals and sponges on the wall About 40 m deep on top of the ridge and about 45 m on the bottom, maximum depth about 50 m.

 * S34°25.392’ E018°35.841’, a low bluff structure at about 45m, dropping off to about 50m.

 * S34°23.842' E018°36.829’, a magnificent buttress about 45m on top dropping off steeply to 60 m Big walls, overhangs and lots of noble coral.

Routes
The site is vast and large areas are not distinguished by any notable features. No routes are known yet – find a place of suitable depth and do a drift dive.

Marine life
The rocks are encrusted with a large range of colourful sponges, ascidians, soft corals, noble corals, hydroids, and coralline algae. Shoals of small fish, and larger yellowtail swim over the reef, and occasionally sharks will be seen. The reef has more the feel of a South Coast reef than a False Bay reef, because the invertebrate assemblages have a different character. The character of the reef life varies with depth and reef profile, but this has not been reliably analysed in detail.

Photography
If the visibility is good, almost any equipment should produce good results. Natural light will be blue or green due to the depth, so a strobe or other artificial light will be needed to bring out the bright reds, oranges, and yellows.

Hazards
Strong winds may develop over a short time. The site is far out to sea, it may be difficult for the boat to see unmarked divers on the surface. It is a long ride both ways, so protection against the weather and sun are strongly recommended on an open boat.

Skills
The ability to deploy a DSMB is recommended. For the deeper sites Trimix is recommended. On decompression dives it is prudent to dive in a group and stay together during decompression.

Equipment
Take the most powerful light you have to bring out the true colours. The natural light is very blue due to the depth. Each group leader should tow an SMB to allow the boat to keep track of their position. Each diver should carry a DSMB or other brightly coloured signalling device that can increase visible height by at least a metre (yellow is considered most visible at sea). A whistle may also be useful in an emergency. A personal locator beacon could be helpful if the conditions deteriorate and the boat has difficulty finding you.

Nearby
Other offshore dive sites of False Bay:

Back to the Alphabetical list of sites, or list of reef dive sites in the Southern False Bay offshore reefs 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 east coast
 * Fresh water dive sites of the Cape Town Metropolitan Area


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Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Rocky Bay

The dive site Rocky Bay is an inshore 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. Noble Reef is a small part of the area at a ridge near the sand to the north west.

Position
Rocky Bay is just off the resort on the shore to the north of Steenbras River mouth.
 * S34°11.585’ E018°49.035’ — very approximate, almost anywhere will do
 * S34°11.393' E018°49.113'
 * S34°11.332’ E018°48.934’

This site is not in a Marine Protected Area. A permit is not required.

Name
This is not actually a bay at all. The coastline has a convex curve along this dive site. The resort on the shore is called "Rocky Bay", and the site name follows from that. Noble Reef was named for the "Noble coral" Stylaster nobilis which can be found there.

Depth
Depth is about 21 m at 200 m offshore and the bottom further out is very flat, dropping to 27 m about 600 m offshore.

Visibility
Visibility is usually quite poor — 5 m would be considered good for this site — as there is usually some surge disturbing the bottom. Visibility appears to usually be less than 3 m and may easily be as low as 1 m or even less. However it may not be as bad further offshore, and if it is bad where you descend, try swimming west a few hundred metres.

Topography
Sandstone ridges and gullies roughly parallel to the shore line, which is steep and reflects rather than breaks waves, so the anchorage is very bumpy in a swell. The entry gully is deep (about 10 m) and outside are irregular sandstone ridges approximately parallel to the shoreline. This area gets fairly deep quickly, then slopes gradually down with outcrops getting lower and more sparse with distance from the shore. There are considerable areas with coarse gravel, but hardly any sand even between ridges. Further out (about 50 m offshore) the bottom is gradually sloped, with moderate size ridges and outcrops. Even further offshore it gets flatter with low rocky reef and pebbles and small boulders. There is no sign of large sandy areas down to 21 m. Occasional larger ridges are scattered in no discernable pattern.

The bottom from about 200 to 400 m from the shore is small boulders/shingle, but apparently quite stable, as the stones are covered with extensive and well established encrustations of invertebrates. Further out the bottom changes again to low bedrock reef, but the type of rock appears different, and the strike looks like it runs east west, with a steep dip, but it is not easy to confirm these details as the reef is pretty flat, not more than 1m profile height. It may be that this is the underlying Tygerberg formation. There are large patches of sand beyond about 400 m offshore, but no definite end has been found for the reef. The river bed is sandy under the bridge then rocky further out, with medium to small boulders, getting bigger with increasing depth. The east corner of the mouth has big boulders and outcrops and a lot of powerful surge, even in a very low swell. It gets deep quite rapidly to about 8 or 9 m, then more gradually over a bottom of ridges and gullies, some with sandy bottoms, mostly running approximately parallel to the coastline. Some way out is a set of bigger ridges, with red bait on top and a relatively large variety of species, including some nice gorgonians. Further out it gets gradually deeper and gradually less rugged, in the same basic pattern.

Geology: Ordovician sandstone of the Table Mountain group, probably Peninsula formation, but possibly the underlying Graafwater formation. Further out it may be Tygerberg formation. Strike of the inshore strata is approximately parallel to the shoreline, and dip about 30° to the north east. Further out it appears to be different.

Conditions
The site is exposed to south westerly swell, and moderately protected from south easterly winds. The site is usually at its best in early summer but there are also occasional opportunities in autumn and early winter.

This is an area which sometimes has red tides in summer, and poor visibility due to rain run-off in winter.

Keep a lookout for times when the south westerly component of the swell is low, and short period (10 seconds or less), and the wind is calm or moderate from the south east, for a high probability of good conditions.

A long period swell from the south west will produce strong surge and usually poor visibility, and may make shore diving unacceptably hazardous. Assess the conditions from the roadside to the north, where the surge in the gully can be seen, before making the climb down to the entry area to make a close-up assessment.

Facilities
None. There is no convenient parking nearby, and you have to find a spot along the edge of the road where you can pull over without obstructing the road or falling down the mountainside.

Get in

 * Boat dive: From Gordon’s Bay or Harbour Island. Anchoring is possible off the cliffs in front of the resort houses in about 15 m to 20 m depth. Stay far enough offshore to avoid the worst of the reflected waves.
 * Shore dive from the gully: Park on the verge of the seaward side of the road above the inlet to the north east of the resort at Steenbras River mouth. It is quite a hike down to water, but not difficult. The path is not obvious, so make a reconnaissance before kitting up. Entry is in the inlet closer to Steenbras mouth which has much less surge than the one nearer to Gordon's Bay.
 * Shore dive from the river mouth: Park on the side of the road as near to the bridge as legally possible. Entry is under the bridge. Walk down the path upstream of the, bridge or down a steeper but fairly stable path right next to the road also on upstream side. The water may be shallow and you may have to wade for about 50 m before it is deep enough to swim.

Marine life
Basket stars have often been seen on the deeper reefs. Galjoen in the inshore gullies, and a good range of invertebrates on the reefs.

The shingle bottom looks pretty stable, with well established benthic encrustation. Lots of Peacock fanworms about 200 m offshore, not so many further out. Solitary squirts of a few species, common feather stars, golden cucumbers, encrusting sponges, a very few small sea fans.

Further out: lots of pore-plated false corals, particularly the pale grey lacy one, the dark brown one and the heavy orange one. A few klipfish, anemones and tube worms. A small amount of encrusting corallines, but no other seaweeds recorded.

Photography
This is a good area for invertebrate photography if the surge is not too strong. (photographic equipment suggestions)

Routes

 * 1) Boat dive: No specific route recommended. If the surge is strong, stay in deeper water. On a very quiet day it may be worth exploring the shallower coastal areas.
 * 2) Gully: Dive near the mouth of the inlet and out to seaward and back.
 * 3) River mouth: Dive just short of the mouth on east side, out and round to the east, then north and more or less retrace the route back.

Hazards
No site specific hazards have been reported. Shore access at the gully requires a walk down steep rocks and a slightly tricky entry and exit.

Skills
No special skills required. Moderate fitness and agility is required for a shore entry.

Equipment
A compass may be useful for orientation, and a SMB will help the boat keep track of divers. Nitrox will be useful to those who like a long dive.

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


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Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Roman Rock

The dive site Roman Rock is an offshore rocky reef in the Simon's Bay area on the False Bay side of the Cape Peninsula, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. This site includes the small outliers Spider Crab Reef to the south-west of Roman Rock, Roman Rock North and Roman Rock South.

This site comprises a cluster of huge outcrops separated by sand bottom, on one of which the lighthouse stands.

Understand
Roman Rock reef is part of the Roman Rock reef complex offshore in Simon's Bay on the west side of False Bay. This is an extensive area of granite reef, much of which is inside the Boulders restricted zone of the Table Mountain Marine Protected Area. It is a topographically rugged reef, with exposed rocks and a few other very shallow areas, and extends down to a sand surround. The reef complex has several large reef areas, of which this is the south-westernmost, and a large number of smaller reef sections and isolated rock outcrops. The marine life is quite varied, though echinoderms are dominant, and a moderate variety of reef fish can be seen.

The site is popular when launches are made from the False Bay Yacht Club, as it is conveniently close. The reef is prominently marked by the exposed rocks and the lighthouse — You can't miss it...

Position

 * S34°10.87’ E018°27.60’ — Maximum depth 21 m. An easy dive site to find as it is marked by the lighthouse of the same name off Simon’s Town Harbour. A large granite reef with a depth range from 20 m at the east end to the surface around the lighthouse rocks.

This site is entirely inside the Boulders Restricted Zone of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area, proclaimed in 2004. A permit is required.

Name
There are several places on the South African coast known as "Roman Rock", and Roman Reef, and it is probable that they are all named after the common endemic reef fish, the Roman, Chrysoblephus laticeps. Spider crab reef was given the name because several spider crabs were seen on the first recorded dive at the site.

Depth
Maximum depth is on sand at about 21 m to the south and east. The top of the reef breaks the surface in places. The eastern part of the reef has a greater depth range than the western part.

Visibility
Visibility is variable, and is unlikely to differ greatly from other nearby sites. 10 m would be considered good, 15 m excellent, and 4 to 6 m marginal. The offshore reefs are less affected by south easterly winds than those closer inshore, as the sand bottom is too deep to be affected by wind chop, and the limiting factor in a south easterly wind is often surface conditions rather than visibility.

Topography
All of these reefs are granite ridges, mostly following a roughly northwest-southeast trend of jointing fractures. Roman Rock is by far the largest in length, width and height, and is also the most varied in profile. They are all surrounded by fairly flat sand bottom, which varies by a few metres in depth over the length of the reef, but this is locally imperceptible ans appears flat.

Geology: Granite corestone outcrops and boulders of the late Pre-Cambrian Peninsula pluton, surrounded by whitish quartz sand, with a varied amount of shelly debris, gravel and biogenic detritus.

Conditions
This site can be dived any time of the year that has low or short period swell. It is a bit further around the corner from the prevailing south-westerly swell. Poor visibility at the surface does not necessarily extend to the bottom. It is a short boat ride from the Simon's Town Jetty, so is often a fall-back option when conditions further towards Cape Point are unpleasant. The site is exposed to winds from all directions, which can produce an unpleasant choppy sea, and make it difficult for the boat crew to see a diver on the surface. The site is usually at it's best in winter and spring.

Get in
This site is always dived from a boat, though Navy divers in training were traditionally required to swim back to the base from this area, The site is 3.3 km from Simon's Town jetty or the yacht club, and 5.6 km from Miller's Point slipway.

Do
Dive at one of the listed drop points, and explore the reef in the vicinity.

 * S34°10.813’ E018°27.535’ — A fairly large but relatively low expanse of reef roughly northwest of the lighthouse, of no known special interest. Shallowest point at about 11 m, and maximum depth about 18 m on the sand to the north-west. Much of the perimeter and contours has been surveyed and mapped, but not all. The reef is about 120 m west to east, and about 80 m north to south. The ridge line axis is northwest to southeast, and there is a lower lobe extending to the northeast. The top of the reef is at about 11 m depth, and the sand bottom varies from about 15 to about 18 m. There is a large part which is massive outcrop and large boulders, and the perimeter has areas of smaller scattered boulders and minor outliers. The adjacent bottom in some areas is shelly gravel and biogenic detritus. Biodiversity appears to be lower than at the main reef, possibly due to less varied topography. A length of small diameter pipe about 50 m long lies across the low part of the eastern lobe and extends onto the sand to the north. It is broken and has no obvious purpose. Several nesting sites of the Steentjie have been seen around the edges of the reef.

 * S34°10.87’ E018°27.60’ — Maximum depth 21 m. An easy dive site to find as it is marked by the lighthouse of the same name off Simon’s Town Harbour. A large granite reef with a depth range from 20 m at the east end to the surface around the lighthouse rocks. Flat coarse shelly sand bottom at 15 to 18 m with large granite corestones. Very large boulders and outcrops extend over a fairly large area, with deep gullies and high ridges. Dramatic relief. Two large rocks break the surface and support the lighthouse structure and a small helipad. The long axis of the reef runs roughly southeast-northwest and the main reef is about 400 m long and 110 m wide north to south, with the widest point to the east of the lighthouse. The Eastern part of the reef is very high profile, and extends from the sand to shallower than 3 m in several places, though the extreme southeast part slopes more gradually. The western section is demarcated by a deep gully opening to the south, with sand bottom extending some way across the reef, which nearly disconnects the shallower western section from the eastern section. Minimum depth of the western section is about 10 m, and much of it is deeper than 12 m. There is a smaller ridge of reef approximately parallel to the main reef about 20 m away to the north east of the north west end of the main reef, and a few unsurveyed patches nearby.

 * S34°10.90' E018°27.435' — Two small parallel reefs to the west of Roman Rock, rising from sand at about 21 m to 16 m at the shallowest point. They are separated by a narrow sand gap and can be seen from each other in reasonable visibility. Some distance to the south west of the main reef there is a small patch of reef called Spider Crab Reef, so named as a relatively large number of spider crabs were seen by several divers on the day the reef was first surveyed. The top of the northern section of this reef is flattish at about 16 m depth with some moderate jointing crack gullies, and it extends about 100 m from north west to south east and is about 20 m wide. The eastern and western ends of this reef consist of relatively small and low outcrops, with narrow sandy gaps between them. The southern section of Spider Crab Reef is a short distance away across a narrow sandy gully and is shorter, narrower, lower and more broken up than the main section.

 * S34°10.930’ E018°27.575’ — There is a smaller section of reef to the south across a small belt of sand roughly parallel to Roman Rock main reef. It is far enough away to not normally be visible. It has been partially surveyed and mapped. The eastern part of this reef is steep sided and flat topped, with a minimum depth of about 15 m, and maximum of nearly 21 m on the sand on the south side. This area has a few sea fans and other variations on the echinoderm theme, but the cover in May 2019 was mainly sea cucumbers and brittlestars. To the west it slopes down, then breaks up into an extensive region of low outcrops and medium to fairly large boulders, some of them probably over 3 m high, with some steep sides and crevices on which a wider variety of reef organisms live. The reef is about 140 m long northwest to southeast, and maximum width is about 40 m. The bottom around this reef has large areas of coarse shelly gravel.

Routes
There are no recommended routes. Start deep and work your way along the base of the rocks, slowly ascending and preferably surfacing from the top of a high outcrop if there is not too much surge.

Marine life
The rocks are encrusted with a variety of organisms depending on depth and orientation. The intertidal and shallow subtidal zone of the main reef can be heavily encrusted by black mussels, There is kelp and sea urchins on the tops in shallower areas, and red-bait and other large solitary ascidians scattered around. The steeper sides are largely covered by common feather stars, with some dense areas of mauve sea cucumbers on the tops of ridges, There are also occasional sea fans, some quite large. The sand is coarse and shelly near the rocks, and there are sand stars, brittle stars, sand slugs, cerianthids and purple sea pens on the sand. Dense aggregations of the spiny starfish can sometimes be found, often where there are large numbers of mussels.

The top of Spider Crab Reef is covered by large black mussels and quite a lot of spiny starfish. The deeper parts and sides are more typical of the area, with patches of mauve sea cucumbers, common feather stars, strawberry anemones and encrusting sponges. There were large numbers of hairy brittlestars on the reef and serpent skinned brittlestars on the sand. There are also a moderate number of sea fans and striped sea anemones. On one occasion quite a number of spider crabs were seen, but as they are well camouflaged it is hard to tell if they are still there.

Roman Rock South has a dense covering of fragile brittlestars on the reeftop and large numbers of serpent skinned brittlestars on the surrounding sand. There are sea fans anemones and colonial ascidians along the steeper sides, and small shoals of reef fish, mainly hottentot.

Photography
This is a good photographic site. Macro or wide angle lenses are suggested.

Hazards
Great white sharks have been seen in the vicinity. In windy weather a diver on the surface may be difficult to see from the boat due to choppy waves.

Skills
No special skills required, though the ability to deploy a DSMB is useful in case you are separated from the group or need to surface away from the shot line.

Equipment
A light is useful to restore colour at depth, a compass to keep track of your movements, a DSMB to let the boat know you are surfacing, and Nitrox can extend no-decompression time significantly in this depth range.

Nearby

Back to the Alphabetical list of sites, or list of dive sites in the Roman Rock area

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

 * Dive sites of False Bay offshore and approaches
 * Dive sites of False Bay east coast
 * Fresh water dive sites of the Cape Town Metropolitan Area


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Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Rooi-els Point

The dive site Rooi-els Point is an inshore rocky reef in the Rooi-els area on the east side of False Bay, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa.

Understand

The point at Rooi-els seems an obvious place for a dive site. There is a break that extends north of the point indicating an extended reef. These reefs are a northwards continuation of the reefs at Coral Gardens (Rooi-els) and are very similar in many ways.

Position
S34°17.8’ E018°48.8’ - At the point at Rooi-els, mostly to the seaward side, and extending to the north east as a ridge.

This site is NOT in a Marine Protected Area. A permit is not required.

Name
The name "Rooi-els Point" is the simple geographical description of the location.

Depth
Maximum depth is about 20 m, but it is mostly 12 to 17 m on the bottom.

Topography
Moderate reef of ridges running roughly magnetic north-south. Rugged sandstone ridges and gullies, mostly fairly broken, and of variable height on moderately consistent bottom depth. Occasional small patch of sand in a gully, but mostly rock bottom.

Geology: Ordovician sandstone of the Table Mountain group, probably Peninsula formation.

Conditions
Exposed to south westerly swells. Long period swell will make shore exits uncomfortable even if the swell is low. Boat dives should be OK in short period swells which are a bit big for shore entry.

Facilities
Limited parking at the turning bay at the end of Rocklands road.

Get in
Boat dive from Rooi-els slipway, or shore dive.

Shore dive: Turn off the R44 into Anemone street. Drive to the T-junction and turn right into Rocklands Road. Park at the north-east end of Rocklands Road. Find a suitable spot for entry among the rocks on the shore towards the point. Depending on conditions, there may be several suitable places, but all will require a walk across the rocks. If you are planning to return to the same spot for exit, check your landmarks well once beyond the kelp.

Alternative exit: If the sea picks up another exit is around behind the point (right side in the photograph), which is sheltered unless the north-wester is blowing. This will require quite a long swim but in some circumstances may be preferable to the exposed outer shores of the point.

Marine life
Quite colourful further out (50 to 100 m probably), Lots of bryozoans, sponges and corals, colonial ascidians etc. Kelp forests very dense inshore and fairly dense on the reef north of the point.

Photography
The area is fairly good for macro photography.

Routes
Shore dive: Straight out to sea from the point about 50 to 100 m. Dive and work your way around the reefs. Save at least 50 bar for the return trip. More if the conditions are a bit rough, as you will want to cross the dense kelp forest under the canopy.

Boat dive: Drop in about 50 to 100 m offshore and go where it looks good. The site has not been mapped and there may be much to discover.

Hazards
Shore access requires a scramble over rocks and a slightly tricky entry and exit. Strong offshore winds may develop in a short time.

Skills
No special skills required. Moderate fitness and agility is needed for the entry and exit

Equipment
A flashlight will be useful for looking under overhangs, and a reel and DSMB if doing a live-boat dive. Nitrox could be useful in the deeper areas.

Nearby

Back to the Alphabetical list of sites, or list of dive sites in the Rooi-els 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


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Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Sandy Cove

The dive site Sandy Cove is a shallow sand bottomed sheltered cove surrounded by rocky reef in the north Oudekraal area on the Cape Peninsula, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa.

Understand

The site is popular for open water training exercises, refresher courses and testing equipment when you don’t need depth. For some purposes it may be considered confined water. It is also the entry area for some really good dives. (see Geldkis, Geldkis Blinder, Strawberry Rocks, Mushroom Pinnacle and Het Huis te Kraaiestein)

Position

 * S33°58.90’ E018°21.65’ — on the north side of the point at north Oudekraal.

This site is in the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area since 2004. A permit is required.

Name
The site name "Sandy Cove" is a simple description of the site. It is a small sand bottomed cove protected by large boulders on the seaward sides.

Depth
The bottom is generally shallow, with a maximum depth of about 4 m on the sand.

Topography
The cove is almost surrounded by large number of granite corestones of various sizes, and has a flat sand bottom. The surrounding rocks provide protection from the seas and as the site is close inshore, it does not get the worst of the south easter. There are several small caves and swimthroughs under the group of large rocks directly opposite the sandy gully.

Geology: Sand bottom with surrounding boulders of late Pre-Cambrian granite of the Peninsula pluton

Conditions
Often good during or after south easterly winds. The cove is exposed to north westerly swells, which could produce poor visibility and uncomfortable or hazardous conditions.

The site is usually at it's best in summer but there are also occasional opportunities during autumn and early winter.

Facilities
None. Security is no better than other roadside parking areas in the area.

Get in
This site is a shore dive. Park at the side of the road on the outside of the bend on the north side of the Twelve Apostles Hotel. The path starts near the signpost and after a steep descent curves round to the north between some trees and a granite boulder. It continues north-eastwards and then splits in several directions. The first branch is to the left to the entry for Justin’s Caves, The second continues more or less straight down a slope to a shallow gully between big boulders. There is an old piece of rail and small boulders in this north west entry point for Sandy Cove and the other North Oudekraal dives.

The third branch is to the right, uphill slightly and through between some bushes, then down over the rocks to a shallow sandy gully, with a small beach at low tide. This south-east (closer to the road) entry point has a sand bottom with large granite boulders on both sides. The boulder on the right is convenient resting place for fins, camera etc when making final preparations for entry. The access at both these points is very protected and safe in almost any conditions you might consider diving.

Marine life
Most of the marine life seen in this cove is on the rocks around it and in the rocky areas to the west. Shoals of small fish occasionally enter the cove, but are usually very shy. The small caves and swimthroughs under the rocks opposite the sandy gully shelter a colourful and fairly diverse range of invertebrates, and the rocks outside the lagoon area are covered by a profusion of red and brown seaweeds, with a few greens.

Photography
Not recommended as a photographic destination, but who knows, you may be lucky.

Routes
No particular routes recommended. There is usually more to see around the rocks than on the sand, but there may be occasional shoals of small fish over the sand.

Hazards
Cold water, hot sunshine.

Skills
The site is very popular as an entry level training venue because it is so well protected, and getting lost takes some effort. It is suitable for checkout dives and would be considered confined water for training purposes by some agencies. It is also a suitable site for snorkelling and night dives.

Equipment
No special equipment recommended, but a good site to test new equipment.

Nearby

Back to the Alphabetical list of sites, or list of dive sites in the Oudekraal area

Other regional dive sites:
 * Dive sites of Table Bay and approaches

 * Dive sites of the Cape Peninsula east coast
 * Dive sites of False Bay offshore and approaches
 * Dive sites of False Bay east coast
 * Fresh water dive sites of the Cape Town Metropolitan Area