Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Outer Photographer's Reef

The dive site Outer Photographer's Reef is an offshore rocky reef in the Seaforth area of Simon's Town on the Cape Peninsula, near Cape Town in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Understand Map of the dive site at Outer Photographer's 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. Position S34°11.778' E018°27.898' This site is in a Marine Protected Area (2004). A permit is required. Topography The reef is a ridge of granite approximately 170m long and 35m wide, with the long axis bearing roughly 315° magnetic. The reef is surrounded by sand. The long sides are very steep, and overhang in places on the south-westwall, which rises from the sand at about 27m to about 18m. On the south west side there is also a deep gully with sand bottom, which splits the reef into two sections, one very much smaller than the other. There are a few low outliers off the ends and to the sides which have not been mapped. The north western end slopes down quite gradually from a tabular top at roughly 18m depth, which ridges up slightly to the south east to a minimum depth of roughly 16m at low tide. The north-east wall is a little deeper both at the top and bottom, and not quite as sheer. Geology: Granite of the late Pre-Cambrian Peninsula pluton. Conditions The site is usually at it's best in winter but there are also occasional opportunities in other seasons. Get in This is a boat dive. It is too far to swim as a shore dive. See Marine life The top of the reef is heavily covered with feather stars and grey sea cucumbers, but is too deep for kelp, and though there are some sea squirts, they are not the dominant species. The reef is wall sided on both long sides, and there is a deep sand bottomed gully and a slight overhang on the south-west side. Photography Suggested Routes No specific route recommended. The site is small enough to visit most if not all of it on a single dive. The upper surface is relatively monotonous, so start by going down to the sand, then explore the wall, The south-west side is more topographically varied. Stay safe Hazards No site specific hazards known. Skills No special skills required. Certification appropriate to the depth will be expected. Ability to deploy a DSMB is recommended. Equipment No special equipment required. A DSMB is recommended in case you need to ascend away from the shotline. Back to Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay#Seaforth to Froggy Pond 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!