Dive-site story
Target Reef sits in False Bay off the Simon's Town coastline, named for its proximity to historic naval firing target moorings. The site consists of a sprawling granite outcrop emerging from a coarse shell-grit and sand seabed. Encrusting sponges, sea fans, and dense colonies of ascidians coat the granite boulders, providing shelter for endemic catsharks and cold-water invertebrate life.
Granite reef structure covered with sinuous palmate sea fans and soft corals
Frequent encounters with endemic Cape catsharks resting among boulder crevices
Rich macro life featuring diverse nudibranchs and sea spiders
Location
Use the map to plan with your operator and confirm the exact entry point on the day.
Seasonality
Winter months typically bring offshore north-westerly winds, yielding the calmest surface conditions and clearest water in False 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 | ||||||||||||
| Gasflame nudibranchBonisa alba | Common | ||||||||||||
| Cape fur sealArctocephalus pusillus pusillus | Seasonal |
Marine forecast
