Explore Simonstown

Simonstown, nestled along the scenic shores of False Bay in South Africa, offers divers a unique underwater adventure. The bay's diverse marine habitats, including rocky shores, vibrant reefs, lush kelp forests, and sandy bottoms, create a tapestry of life that is nothing short of spectacular. Divers can expect to encounter a rich array of marine creatures, from playful seals to colorful fish and even the occasional penguin, making each dive a memorable experience.

The town's diving allure lies in its historical shipwrecks, remnants of False Bay's storied past as a major shipping port. These wrecks, often teeming with marine life, provide an exciting exploration ground for seasoned divers. While Simonstown's colder waters and stronger currents may pose a challenge, they also add an element of thrill and reward for those looking to uncover the bay's secrets. With its easy access to dive sites like Long Beach, renowned for its training facilities and gentle conditions, Simonstown remains a dream destination for divers seeking adventure and discovery.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ Millers Point

Millers Point is also known as Shark Alley due to the high numbers of Seven-gill sharks that use to be found here in the kelp forest. This site is in a marine protected area. Make sure you get your diving permit and take nothing other than memories and photos.

820
Logs
401
Divers
9.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Seal Island Falsebay

Seal Island in False Bay is home to 50 to 60 thousand seals at a time. This is a breeding colony that attracts the Great White shark to these waters during the time the seal pups start swimming.

21
Logs
20
Divers
12.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ A-frame Cape Town

Enter at the rocks on the left and swim toward the two pinnacle rocks out toward the ocean. The smaller rock on the left has a swim-through with three entry points. To the right is a larger rock with lots to see along the wall of the rock. This dive is more for advanced divers.

1,120
Logs
418
Divers
8.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Windmill Beach

This site has a very easy and protected beach entry and a small cove with a sandy bottom that is suitable for training exercises, while also having a varied topography, diverse ecology, and large area.

2,129
Logs
705
Divers
8.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Long Beach Simons Town

Due to the shape of the harbour, Long Beach is well protected from most winds and waves. This dive site has a maximum depth of about 18 meters. This dive site does not require a boat ride and is a great shore dive.

3,950
Logs
1,016
Divers
6.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Castle Rock Cape Town

Pristine kelp forests ranging in depths and some amazing reef structures as you get further out with massive pinnacles rising from 14m up to 5m. Average depth of dive site is around 10m. This site can can be quite sheltered from the rock structure blocking a NW wind which can be nicer on days with a bit more wind.

315
Logs
156
Divers
14.0 m
⌀ Depth
8.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Pyramid Rock

About 50-100 meters further out than Millers Point, Pyramid Rock is a kelp dive that also consists of many overhangs and swim throughs. This site was named after a rock formation with a distinct pyramid shape that breaks the surface of the water. This site has a maximum depth of 12 meters and an average of 5-10m.

126
Logs
84
Divers
12.0 m
⌀ Depth
10.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ SAS Pietermaritzburg, wreck

This wreck is situated the Miller’s Point area. This is an easily accessible wreck in fair condition, but deteriorating rapidly. The wreck is of some historical interest but is not protected by legislation. The wreck is mostly intact and lies at 22m with the highest point being at about 18m depending on tides.

251
Logs
180
Divers
20.0 m
⌀ Depth
8.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Ark Rock

Named for the large rock of the same name on the SAN charts. 550m north of Penguin Point. This is the biggest rock close offshore in Simon’s Town area, and it is unmistakable as a landmark.

204
Logs
156
Divers
12.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Partridge Point

Also known as Seal Rock. This site is at the southern edge of the Castle Rocks restricted zone, within the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area, where no fishing has been permitted for many years, and the result can be seen in the numbers of fish.

460
Logs
290
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
8.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Shark Alley

This dive site is accessible by boat and is approximately 8 km offshore. The average depth at Shark Alley is 3 meters and the maximum depth is 5 metres. Shore dives can be done through Shark Alley shallows.

311
Logs
147
Divers
10.0 m
⌀ Depth
8.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Boulders Beach

Simonstown Boulders is an easily accessible shore dive. The average depth is 6 meters and the maximum depth is 9 meters, so it is a good training dive site for beginners.

717
Logs
224
Divers
8.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Outer Photographers Reef

This is just one of the many smaller offshore reefs in the 20 to 30m depth range that can be found along the coast of False Bay south of the Roman Rock reef complex, where there are a moderate number of scattered granite outcrops of various sizes, many of which are virtually unknown.

93
Logs
60
Divers
21.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Waters Edge

This is the point where Simon’s Bay meets the south coast of the Cape Peninsula, and the coastline makes a distinct turn, becoming more exposed to the swell and winds from the southeast. This site is in a Marine Protected Area (2004). A permit is required. The site is entirely inside the Boulders Restricted Zone.

81
Logs
27
Divers
6.0 m
⌀ Depth
4.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

★★★★★ SAS Transvaal (Wreck)

The wreck of the SAS Transvaal lies at an angle on a flat sand bottom. The bow is toward the NE. The wreck is mostly intact, the mast has fallen to port side, Hull structure is collapsing so beware of entering! Best to dive in winter and summer is the worst, current is quite strong.

12
Logs
11
Divers
28.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility

Diving in Simonstown

Simonstown diving is well protected and therefore enjoys fairly stable conditions. It has great facilities for training, mostly due to the calm and gentle sandy slope of Long Beach. 

There are sites in the area which have caves, crevasses and swim throughs to explore. Eerie kelp forests are a unique experience for many divers. Some wrecks, such as the SAS Pietermaritzburg, lie in the area.

The best Months to Dive in Simonstown

Diving in Simonstown is possible year round due to the mild Mediterranean-type climate. The summer months (October – April) have air temperatures around 24°C/75°F and water temperatures of 18°C/64°F. The winter months (May – September) have air temperatures of 17°C/63°F and water temperatures of 15°C/59°F. All diving here is cold, usually requiring at least a 7mm wetsuit.

Statistics

Historical data and trends

Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions

Centers Map

Impact Divers

117 St Georges Street, 7975 Cape Town, ZAF