Diving Sites, Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route
Plettenberg Bay offers all scuba divers, regardless of experience a variety of locations, coral reefs, seal dives, night dives and shore dives, in and around the Bay. You could be exposed to over 100 species of fish and if you are among the lucky few, find yourself surrounded by a pod of dolphins.
Plettenberg Bay boasts some of the finest soft coral reefs in the world, sponges, shellfish, starfish and the main attraction – the rare pansy shell.
If it’s scuba diving you’re after, then head for Pro Dive at the Beacon Isle Resort. You can hire some, or all, of your gear there, take lessons (including lessons for kids from eight upwards) and then choose to dive the coral reef that most attracts you.
Dive Sites
Groot Bank
Average Depth: 20 metres
Max. Depth: 30 metres
Entry: Boat Launch
Situated between Plettenberg Bay and Nature’s Valley, Groot Bank is an extensive reef and known for its dramatic topography and rich marine life.
The reef is pristine and covered in vibrant array of starfish, soft corals, sponges and fans. Numerous of caves, arch, swim-throughs, tunnels and drop offs can be explored.
Most commonly sighted fish include; stenbras, roan, yellowbelly rockcod and pyjama catsharks. Big game fish include ragged-tooth sharks. Keep a look out for seals, whales, dolphins and hammerhead sharks.
Shallow Blinders
Average Depth: 13 metres
Max. Depth: 10 metres
Entry: Shore
A short swim from the shore, this trio of pinnacles and gullies offers macro photographers colourful subjects.
The large reef is covered with anemones, fans, sponges and serves as a nursery to many fish species during the summer months. Summer also brings the ragged-tooth sharks to the reef, spotting one of these make any dive an incredible experience. Pyjama and leopard catsharks and puffadder shysharks can be spotted all year round.
Other sightings include; cuttlefish, boxfish and rays are often seen on the dive out. Regular inhabitants of the reef include; nudibranchs, octopus, sea spiders and scorpionfish.
Deep Blinders
Average Depth: 8 metres
Max. Depth: 18 metres
Entry: Shores
Beautiful drop offs and sandy areas nearly always promising a glimpse of bull rays or stingrays. The shallowest part of the reef is covered in redbait pods.
Dolphins Column
Average Depth: 12 metres
Max. Depth: 18 metres
Interesting diving around the pinnacle and gullies, and as aptly named, dolphins and raggies can be spotted here too.
Playground
Average Depth: 15 metres
Max. Depth: 24 metres
Main features are the terraces going down which are quite interesting. Big mako sharks can be spotted here on occasion.
Virgin Reef
Average Depth: 18 metres
Max. Depth: 34 metres
Virgin Reef bursts with colour and invertebrate life. Definitely a more interesting dive to do.
Redbait Reef
Average Depth: 4 metres
Max. Depth: 8 metres
A very comfortable dive, but unfortunately due to the reef being so damaged, not much is to be seen. This dive is mainly for Open Water students and novice divers.
Jacob’s Point
Average Depth: 12 metres
Max. Depth: 16 metres
Entry: Boat Launch
Jacob’s Wall is a spectacular wall dive covered in soft coral and can be accessed by a 5 minute boat ride from Beach Island Hotel.
This shallow site, centered around a large pinnacle, showcases the colour and beauty of Plett diving. The surrounding reef is a kaleidoscope of colour with orange wall sponges, sea fans and purple soft coral. Other sightings include large romans, zebras, shysharks, blacktail and nudibranchs. A very colorful dive and abundant marine life.
The MFV Athina
Average Depth: 7 metres
Max. Depth: 9 metres
The wreck of the Greek trawler, the MFV Athina, went ashore in 1967 and is actually visible from the Robberg Nature Reserve lookout point when visibility is good. The bottom is sandy and it is an interesting dive.
Whale Rock
Average Depth: 24 metres
Max. Depth: 30 metres
Normally a difficult site to dive as water conditions are not often favorable, but when it is calm, ragged tooth sharks are abundant along with many soft corals, sea fans and sponges. There is also plenty of marine life here.
Voorstraat
Average Depth: 6 metres
Max. Depth: 18 metres
Fantastic caves for exploration and a lot of color.
| More info on the town of Knysna | More info on the Garden Route area |
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