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.
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.
Many dive sites, especially the reefs, have a variety of fish and invertebrate species. These include the shaggy sea hare, pineapple fish, nudibranch and biscuit skate. There are octopus, stingrays, jellyfish and crabs too.
Seals are a common sight and they are unafraid of human contact, often swimming up to divers. In the mouth of Long Beach, Southern Right whales have been seen on dives. Humpback whales, orcas and several species of dolphins live in these waters too, though they are less frequently seen while diving.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 300
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 3000
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 7000
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 9
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 80
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 19
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 120
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 130
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.
