Dive-site story
Located within Simon's Bay in False Bay, Phoenix Shoal is an isolated rocky reef named after the British warship HMS Phoenix that ran aground here in the nineteenth century. The formation rises from a sandy sea floor with granite boulders and low sandstone outcrops carpeted in colorful sea fans, colonial ascidians, and sea urchins. Diverse endemic benthic shark species patrol the rocky crevices, while octopus and cuttlefish shelter along the reef edges.
Frequent encounters with endemic South African catsharks resting among granite overhangs
Dense carpets of bright orange sea cucumbers, sponges, and red bait ascidians covering the bedrock
Sheltered conditions inside Simon's Bay make it accessible when outer False Bay faces heavy swell
Location
Use the map to plan with your operator and confirm the exact entry point on the day.
Seasonality
Winter and spring months typically bring offshore winds and the clearest underwater visibility to Simon's Bay.
Marine life
| Species | Likelihood | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pyjama sharkPoroderma africanum | Common | ||||||||||||
| Puffadder shysharkHaploblepharus edwardsii | Common | ||||||||||||
| Red RomanChrysoblephus laticeps | Common | ||||||||||||
| Common octopusOctopus vulgaris | Common | ||||||||||||
| Spotted gully sharkTriakis megalopterus | Seasonal |
Marine forecast
