South Africa has always been regarded as a place to enjoy adventure on a grand scale. While there are numerous popular sites to dive along the warmer, more temperate coastal waters further to the south, the northern waters off Cape Town’s Atlantic Coast offer a completely different kind of adventure.
Diving Conditions
Temperatures here are normally between eight and fourteen degrees Celsius, which translate to cool or downright cold diving conditions that require a bit of a stouter heart than is required for enjoying warmer southern climes! Visibility is normally good at about ten meters average, and there can be a current, depending on where and when you dive.
Coral Gardens
At Coral Gardens, you enter the dive site from shore, clambering over slippery kelp covered rocks before finally slipping into the cool Atlantic water. Secure everything well before you start your trek out the water, because you’re going to need every bit of balance you can muster!
Once you are in the water, you’ll see a forest of kelp and a plethora of delightful kelp-dwelling invertebrates. You may even be greeted by the seals that frequent this area! As you swim out to the Coral Gardens site, you will see colorful walls covered in soft coral and sponges, including some beautiful electric blue sponges. Be cautious of the box jellyfish and sea urchins that inhabit the area, and watch for the walking anemone, small sea fans, and Mandela’s nudibrach, which tend to cluster together in small groups. Cowled nudibranchs, which are a rosy pink color, are also more commonly seen here than at any other dive site in the area.
You’ll see delightful rosy red noble corals, as well as corallines, limpet, and bamboo sea kelp, and if you are fortunate, you may even get a look at the schooling Hottentot that sometimes make their way through the kelp stipes in search of a hearty meal.
Oudekraal - Justin Caves
Easy beach entries are Oudekraal’s hallmark, as are Justin’s Caves (sometimes referred to as Justin Caves). Though boat access here is possible, the beach entry is easy and the swim out to the dive site is scenic.
This is a fairly shallow dive site, with depths at just eight to thirteen meters, and a mostly rocky bottom. The water tends to be fairly dark in the area due to the massive rock structures, so remember to bring a light with you in order to see the brilliant colors inside the cave walls and along the rocky bottom. On a good day, you will be able to enjoy excellent visibility, sometimes in excess of twenty meters. During the plankton bloom, you’ll be lucky to see much more than five meters in front of you, especially near the surface.
You will know you’ve reached Justin Caves when you see the massive cluster of boulders! Here, you can enjoy the sight of spiny starfish and rock lobster, as well as a wealth of spectacularly colored sponges, sea fans, noble coral and soft coral. This is almost like an oasis of life, since just a short distance away, there is barely anything growing but some mussels and dark colored sea cucumbers, along with the ever-present cape sea urchins.
Vulcan Rock
Vulcan rock is an incredible site, with abundant nudibranchs, hard and soft coral everywhere you look, deep water crayfish and beautiful cowries, and frequent visits from large pelagic fish. The area is also home to some inquisitive seals, and where there are seals, there is also the chance to encounter a Great White shark.
The pinnacle which rises to within nearly five meters of the surface also features a tunnel between sixteen and eighteen meters beneath the surface. Here, you can enter the cave if qualified, and enjoy the spectacle that the light from the four separate entrances makes.
This area should never be dived during less than ideal conditions, since it is subject to heavy surge and strong currents. The dive site descends to as low as forty meters, and when combined with the unpredictable conditions that can be a challenge to even the most seasoned divers, it is easy to see why this is one site that is recommended for skilled divers only.
As you descend and explore the area, you may hear a knocking sound, which is coming from loose boulders that are being pushed back and forth by the sea’s swell. Unless you are diving when you should not be, this should not cause you alarm – still, it is wise to be cognizant of everything going on around you!
Watch for shoaling Hottentots, and enjoy the colorful coral and hydroids that add an extra dimension to this spectacularly challenging dive.
RMS Athens
The Royal Mail Ship Athens lies in just seven meters of water, right on top of the wreck of the Piscataqua, which went down in 1865 as well. This worthy steamer, which succumbed to a massive gale that extinguished her boiler fires, rendering her incapable of navigation, was lost with her entire crew of thirty on May 17th, 1865. Today the wreck can be accessed from shore, and lies right between Green Point and Mouille Point.
There is not a lot of sea life to view here, due to the fact that there is often quite a heavy surge and crashing waves in the area, however the ocean floor is littered with bottles, which once contained whiskey and medicinals. Due to the same hazards that cause a scarcity of life on board, this wreck should only be dived during calm, flat weather.
Geldkis
Geldkis, or “Money Chest” can be accessed from shore, however, the site is subject to heavy chop and sea surge, so the swim out should only be undertaken during perfectly calm conditions, and by divers who are confident of their physical abilities.
The site gets its name from three chests of treasure which were reportedly lost when the Dutch East Indiaman Het Huis te Kraaiestein smashed into the rocks in Oudekraal Bay, on May 27th, 1698. Could the treasure be here still? No one really knows; however, the area is home to spectacular natural treasure in abundance, which can be enjoyed by anyone who visits!
Here, you’ll find spectacular underwater topography featuring gullies and overhangs, chimneys, and gullies. A group of fur seals make their home here, and are often seen frolicking in the water. They are familiar with divers, and often come up to say hello.
Red bait and black mussels create a colorful contrast with the sponges and sea fans, as well as the limpets, grey cucumbers, brilliant yellow cushion stars, and noble coral that grow in profusion here. Also, watch for nudibranchs and anemones, and keep an eye out for sharks! They are well aware of the seal population and have been known to troll the waters, looking for a nutritious meal.
While you can drive right up to many of these dive sites and jump straight into the water, it is always a great idea to find an experienced guide to accompany you. Not only will your level of safety increase, but you’ll be able to get straight to the features you want to see most, without worrying about a decrease in bottom time!