These dives must be booked through one of the local operators.

White sands reef:

This reef is characterized by gullies seperated by stretches of sand. SOft corals, sponges and other invertabrates cover the reef and rays and Basket stars are quite common. It is situted just off Hobie beach.

Depth: 12-30 m

Bell Buoy:

This reef is only ten minutes from the harbour or five minutes from Hobie beach. This is a very popular dive site with the dive centres + locals. There is a lot of overhangs, arches and pinnacles to explore and large pods of Red bait. This is also the shelter of a seal colony and this makes the dive very exciting. Almost guaranteed to see raggies in the gullies. Octopus, corals, hydroids, nudibranches, Gorgonians and anemones makes this reef very colourful. Combine this with the resident and migratory fish life and it makes for a wonderful dive.

Depth: 2-20 m

Philip’s reef:

This reef is 300-500 m large and has abundant fish and sponge life. Sea fans, sea-squirts and other soft corals also live here. The first night dives in Eastern Cape was done here and it is an ideal site for macrophotography. It is situated near Bell Bouy and directly offshore from Pollack beach. The reef is easy to locate and generally a very good dive.

Depth: 8-17 m

Riy banks:

This is a popular fishing area and boasts an abundance of game fish and sharks. Massive walls teeming with life. Some of the pinnacles rise from 30m to 4 m below the surface. Can see game fish, raggies, rays, pajama sharks and plenty of the other usual reef fish. The site also has some beautiful soft corals and because of its distance it usually has good visibility. It is situated about 21 km offshore and is a dive for the more adventurous diver.

Depth: 11-40 m

Suicide beach:

This reef is characterised by a lot of drop-offs, caves and overhangs. Sharks and game fish like Leervis and Yellowtail are found here.

Depth: 15-30 m

Avalanche:

This extensive reef has a lot of spectacular walls and corals densely populate the gullies. Usual reef fish, colourful reef. Situated on the so called Wild side. Always an interesting dive and vis can often be better on this side as opposed to the bay area. Enjoyable in good vis

Depth: 15-25 m

Mark 4:

Rocky outcrops, gullies and interesting rock formations makes this the ideal dive site for novice divers. Usual reef fish, colourful reef. Situated on the so called Wild side. Always an interesting dive and vis can often be better on this side as opposed to the bay area. Lots of nooks and crannies with fish hiding. A torch is therefore a must to see everything. This site was only recently found, basically by accident, when a buoy was being placed to use as a marker for boats entering / exiting Noordhoek. There is also a small swim through to look for.

Depth: 18 m

Thunderbolt reef:

This vast reef strecthes from Cape Recife almost to Shelley beach and gets its name from the HMS Thunderbolt which struck the ref in 1847. Basket starfish, hard and soft corals are abundant and as one goes deeper the protected tree-like Pink coral makes its appearance.

Depth: 15-30 m

To find out more about these and other exciting dives in the area call  Curt Coetzee on 0826592853 or the Noordhoek Dive club, or Pro Dive on +27 (0)41 362 7880 or e-mail them at dive@prodive.co.za or visit their website http://www.prodive.co.za

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