The dive site Whale Rock is an offshore rocky reef in the Robben Island area on the Atlantic seaboard of the Cape Peninsula, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa.
See also: Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay#Understand
Whale Rock 📍: S33°50.112’ E018°22.858’ — A shoal area of reef south of Robben Island.
This site is in the Robben Island Marine Protected Area since 2019. A permit is required.
The name "Whale Rock" is the name for the area on SA Navy charts.
Fairly shallow. Mostly less than 10 m.
Large area of shallow reef.
Geology: Pre-Cambrian sedimentary rocks, probably of the Tygerberg formation.
This reef is exposed to the south west swell. There is often a break in the area and the surge can be very powerful. The water is usually cold. The site should be dived when the sea is fairly flat.
The site is usually at it's best in summer but there are also occasional opportunities in other seasons.
See also: Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay#Boat dives
Only accessible by boat. The site is about 8 km from Oceana Power Boat Club slipway.
See also: Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay#The marine ecology
Large red bait pods abound in this area.
No particular route recommended.
See also: Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay#Stay safe
Surge can be very strong.
No special skills required.
See also: Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay#Equipment
No special equipment recommended
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