Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/False Bay Yacht Club slipway
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/False Bay Yacht Club slipway
False Bay Yacht club is a small marina in Simon's Town, which is occasionally used for dive boat launches.
Understand
The ski-boat slipway is one of two boat launching facilities at the False Bay Yacht Club. It is used by dive boats at any time of year when diving conditions on the west side of False Bay are suitable. This can be at any time of year, but more often in winter, as it is protected from the south west swell, and the south east wind is less likely to raise an unpleasant wind chop. The slipway is well protected by the Simon's Town naval base harbour walls and boats can be launched and recovered in almost any weather conditions.
The slipway is a concrete ramp and is in fairly good condition. There is also a second slipway used by the travelift for launching larger boats. There is a concrete jetty in good condition to the right side of the slipway where boats can tie up temporarily. Very well protected from waves from all directions.
Access for club members' boats with seaworthiness certificates and licensed skippers.
The slipway is controlled by the False Bay Yacht Club.
Position
- FBYC slipway 📍 S34°11'32,57" E018°26'0.31"
- FBYC main gate 📍S34°11'34.13" E018°26'2.71"
- FBYC floating jetty 📍S34°11'30.72" E018°25'59.72"
Conditions
The launching facilities are usable all year, and the use of the facilities by dive boats is mainly dependant on good diving conditions on the east side of False Bay. This is more common in winter, when the sea is calm enough to dive. The dive sites on the Simon's Town area range from close inshore in the lee of the mountains, to just outside False Bay at Bellows Rock and Rocky Bank. A fairly strong north westerly or south westerly wind is not generally a problem for the inshore sites.
Facilities
Access is controlled by a security guard at the gate.
Parking for trailers is limited. Embarkation of passengers is often at the Simon's Town jetty, which is a few metres away outside the yacht club premises, but during dive festivals hosted by the yacht club, a floating jetty within the yacht club's marina is used.
Parking for vehicles without trailers is also limited and is occasionally a problem. During dive festivals the Cole Point parking area at the naval dockyard may be made available. This is a short walk away, but an inconvenient distance to carry dive gear, which can be unloaded at the gate. There are good bathroom facilities for members temporary members and guests. There is restaurant and bar in the yacht club for refreshments which is open on weekends, with indoor and outdoor seating which will cater to divers in wetsuits (outside), within easy walking distance of the slipway and floating jetty.
Fees
Temporary membership is usually included in the fees for the dive festival.
Get in
Stay safe
Hazards
Security of parked vehicles is reasonable, but it is advisable to lock valuables in the boot where they can not be seen by passers-by. The car park is visible to the gate guard if he happens to be outside his office.
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