Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pie Rock

The dive site Pie Rock is an offshore rocky reef in the Castle Rocks restricted zone on the False Bay coast of the Cape Peninsula , near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Understand Map of the dive site at Pie Rock reef This is a spectacular dive in good visibility, and large numbers of fish may be seen. Position S34°14.385' E018°29.065' About 760m from North Entry at Castle Rocks. Bearing 353° True (017° magnetic) to Bakoven Rock, approximately 278° True (302° magnetic) to North side of Castle Rocks. About 150m south east of Outer Castle This site is in a Marine Protected Area (2004). A permit is required. The site is entirely inside the Castle Rocks Restricted Zone. Name The site is called "Pie Rock" because one of the larger rocks in the area is said to look a bit like a giant wedge of pie. Depth Maximum depth is about 25m. Top of the pinnacle is at 5m. Average depth on a dive is about 15m. Topography Large granite corestone outcrops and boulders. The site is in two main sections, Pie Rock proper, and Pie Rock southern pinnacles. There is a pinnacle at the east side of the main site, which is also the deeper side. The southern pinnacles are part of a more extensive area of low reef. Geology: Granite of the Pre-Cambrian Peninsula pluton. Conditions The site is moderately protected from south westerly swell. South east chop may make it unpleasant on the surface, but it may be quiet below the wave base, however a strong south easter or one that blows for a long time will push up a swell that will make it unpleasant all the way down. Generally considered a winter dive site but there are also occasional opportunities in autumn and spring. Get in The site is generally considered a boat dive. Launch at Miller’s point. It could be dived from shore entry at Castle Rocks, but would require a 750m swim each way. For a shore dive use a SMB as boat traffic in the area can be heavy on a good day. Bearing from Castle Rocks north entry approximately 120° magnetic. Dont try this in an offshore wind. See Marine life Large numbers of false corals, feather stars, colonial ascidians, red sea cucumbers and colonial hydroids. A reasonable variety of fish, sometimes in fairly large shoals. Diver and seal at Pie Rock Anemone Bank steenbras Blue choirboy ascidians Klipfish Orange clubbed nudibranch Red chested sea cucumbers can reach a high population density Scallops can occasionall be seen on the sand Photography (photographic equipment suggestions) Routes No particular route recommended. Stay safe Hazards No site specific hazards are recorded. Skills Certification appropriate to the depth is expected, otherwise no special skills are required. Ability to deploy a DSMB may be useful if you surface away from the shotline. Equipment A DSMB may be convenient if you surface away from the shotline. Back to Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay#Castle Rocks This is a usable article. It touches on all the major areas of the topic. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!