The naming of these various dive sites were historically done by Jacques Alberts and African Waters Scuba divers when they operated in the area. Since J-Bay Scuba started operating in the area, there were also several new spots that were added to the mix. We are always discovering new dive sites and will add and update them on this page from time to time.
A popular geelbek fishing spot. Huge miss lucy and mussel cracker have been spotted on this flat piece of reef. On one occasion a great white was spotted during the descent to 30m. The reef drops down to 32m towards the south eastern side. Due to the depth surge doesn't really affect the diving but sand picked up can affect viz although top to bottom viz has been enjoyed. At about 8km from the launch site the boat ride can become quite interesting if the easterly wind picks up.
Some years ago Pictus shell was dived by shell collectors off this reef at night. A fairly flattish reef with sections where the sand washed away, leaving holes for catfish and other reef fish to hide. The brittle stars on this reef are definately on some form of steriods as they measure about 30cm wide, sitting on big ferns in the surge. At a depth of 18 to 22m deep and only 4km from the launch site. Big swell can influence the viz as there is lots of sand in between the reef.
With up to 30m wide sandy gullies at an average depth of 16m this site is perfect for practicing navigation. To the west the gullies close up and become broken reef with teeth standing up 4m in height. The reef breaks up again and forms large round boulders with white sand in between. Large rays, raggies and loads of reef fish. The odd school of Half Beaks have also been spotted on this reef.
To the east the reef becomes a bit flatter before breaking up into big boulders. Lots of micro life on this reef. Nudi's, anemone, brittle stars, corals, ferns, sponges, shell fish and lots more.
As the name indicates you will find lots of yellow belly rock cod on this strech of reef. Average depth of 16m with wide sandy bottom gullies and walls going up for 4m. As the reef flattens out deep crevises and broken rock starts where these shy fish hide. Big ferns with brittle starts picking up nutrients as the water passes down the gullies. A huge variety of anemone, nudi's, reef fish and the odd ray. A few raggies have also been spotted on this popular reef.
If you dived Chelsea reef at Wild Side just outside Port Elizabeth you would understand the name of this reef as it's almost a duplicate but only shallower at 14 - 16m deep. Nice wide gullies with flat reef and broken rock where octopus, pajama shark, anemone, ferns, corals, sponges, sea stars and brittle stars can be found. The odd yellow belly rock cod, red roman, cape knifejaw, jan bruin and other reef fish is in abundance.
At only 14m deep a nice long dive. Only about 500m north east from Discovery Channel Reef but very different. Groups of 2 to 2,5m long raggies lay in the gullies. This was Paul van Jaarsveld's first time to see a Ragged Tooth Shark up close. Dive Log - Sunday 5 June 2011.
We ended up going back to this spot several times and Paul Roets captured some raggies for us on film. (Shared from his Youtube channel.)
The name says it all!! Discover something new or different on every dive on this shallow reef. At only 12m deep lots of light for nice photos of big red bait, anemone, nudi's, variety of corals and sponges. The odd ragged tooth, pajama sharks and puffer fish. Gullies running between rocky outcrops that rise up to 4m high. Strong surge influences viz due to white sandy bottoms when strong swell runs.
At a shallow depth of 7 - 10m deep. Nice gullies with sea grass and red bait. Lots of nudi's, anemone, double sash butterfly fish and other reef fishes. Many juvenile ragged tooth sharks hide in the gullies but due to the reef being so shallow surge is often a problem if big swell is running.