Gordon's Bay & Rooi-Els

The dive centres launch their boats from Gordon's Bay and follow the coastline towards Rooi-Els, with boat and shore dives running as far as Pringle Bay. Every site can also be dived from a boat, which matters for divers with restricted mobility, since the shore entries cross a rugged bit of coast and sometimes a long climb. Shore days turn on timing: sets are more noticeable than on the Atlantic coast, so the water is watched for several minutes before choosing an entry or exit, and the sea can seem far rougher on the way back in.

All the sites are rocky reefs. Close to Gordon's Bay, Pinnacle is shallow and Cow & Calf is a relaxed reef named for two parts of the reef that look like a whale and her calf from the road. The Drop Zone is a large oval reef sloping from 15 m to about 26 m, and Noble Reef takes its name from its noble coral. Towards Rooi-Els the reef runs along a rugged coastline fringed by kelp forest, and Percy's Hole is among the best known sites there. Nudibranchs are everywhere, from crowned and gasflame to silvertip and inkspot, among sea fans, orange wall sponges and anemones.

The reefs suit divers of every level. There is no significant current in False Bay, so the water runs warmer than on the Atlantic coast but dirty water lingers and visibility tends to be poorer. Surface water ranges from about 10 to 22 °C on this side of the bay, sometimes with a distinct thermocline. A south-easter causes upwelling here as on the Atlantic coast, but the effects are usually less noticeable. Divers who want the Simon's Town reefs and the peninsula shore should look at Cape Peninsula Kelp Forests, across False Bay.