Diving is best from April to September, when the prevailing northwester blows offshore. In October and November both sides of the Peninsula experience calm seas on many days throughout the year. Visibility seldom exceeds 20 metres and can sometimes reach 30 metres. Water temperatures vary between 12° C and 18° C in False Bay.

There are opportunities for scuba-diving from a chartered boat or from the shore. "Treasures" to explore or photograph include caves, caverns, drop-offs, overhangs and swim-throughs. There are many historic and recent wrecks, which have become artificial reefs teeming with colourful fish and invertebrates. Visitors are welcomed by most dive schools to participate in day or night dives, by appointment.

With its towering cliffs and steep approach, Smitswinkel Bay is not for the faint-hearted. It is best reached by boat, which is the only option for diving at Partridge Point in a neighbouring marine reserve. Few dive sites elsewhere in this country have so many soft corals. Of the 2000 marine species in False Bay, 61% are endemic to South African waters and 14% of these to the Bay. Closer to Simon’s Town are Outer Castle, Castle Rocks, Pyramid Rock and Spaniard Rock. In fact, of the 2000 marine species in False Bay, 61% are endemic to South African and 14% of these to Smitswinkel Bay itself. A favourite dive is the SAD Transvaal which lies on the sandy bottom at 34 meters with the beck at 29 meters. Its superstructure is heavily encrusted with anemones, corals, hydroids, sea cucumbers, sea fans, seq squirts, sponges andt tube worms. Resident dish include catsharks, dassies, galjoen, hottentot, janbuin, roman,strepies, stumpnose, yellowtail and zebras.

Although Partridge Point has very similar marine life, it is in a protected marine reserve and yellowtail is not on your menu! Even in areas where abalone, mussel, oyster and rock lobster can seasonally be harvested there are legal catch limits. tell me more>