Shark Rock Pier Reefs

This area is very sheltered from swell and quite often becomes clean especially when west winds blow. I consider this a very safe area for diving with respect to sharks and currents, however, boat and jet ski traffic may be a considerable risk. A large bright float is desirable to improve your visibility to surface water users. The slipway is a fine learning spot and the depth gradually increases from a meter to as much as six or seven meters, depending on the tides. It may be worth looking under the structure for baardman, zebra, or banded galjoen. Musselcracker (as big as 13 kg) and white steenbras also pass through this area. Spotted grunter and bronze bream can occasionally be seen. Further out from the slipway and toward the Shark Rock Pier are numerous reefs that rise from a sand bottom. Even 500 m out there are a number of good little reefs where garrick, cob, musselcracker, white steenbras, large soldiers, rockcod, bronze bream and parrotfish may be found; a host of smaller fish may also be found. The steenbras are often as big as 15 kilograms. Sharks are very scarce. I once crossed paths with a beautiful thresher here - it was a good three meters long half of which is the extremely long tail. Additional reefs occur in front of and to the right of Shark Rock pier (if one is facing the sea) - these are also quite far out to sea ~200 - 500 m and the depth is 6 - 12 m. This area boasts some unique invertebrates and can make for excellent photography when the water clears up.