Dive-site story
Cow and Calf consists of two prominent granite outcrops rising from a sandy seabed along the eastern margin of False Bay. Divers follow a network of gullies, overhangs, and swim-throughs carpeted with soft corals, encrusting sponges, and sea fans. Giant kelp fronds sway in the shallows around the boulders, tapering off as depth increases toward the base of the reef.
Rugged granite architecture with swim-throughs and boulder gullies
Dense clusters of multicoloured sea fans and bryozoans on sheer rock faces
Frequent encounters with endemic cold-water catsharks resting in crevices
Location
Use the map to plan with your operator and confirm the exact entry point on the day.
Seasonality
Winter months typically bring offshore northwesterly winds that flatten the sea and improve underwater visibility along this coastline.
Marine life
| Species | Likelihood | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pyjama sharkPoroderma africanum | Common | ||||||||||||
| Leopard catsharkPoroderma pantherinum | Common | ||||||||||||
| Puffadder shysharkHaploblepharus edwardsii | Common | ||||||||||||
| Gasflame nudibranchBonisa argentea | Common | ||||||||||||
| West Coast rock lobsterJasus lalandii | Common | ||||||||||||
| Cape fur sealArctocephalus pusillus pusillus | Seasonal |
Marine forecast
