Dive-site story
York Shoal is an isolated offshore granite reef situated in the middle reaches of False Bay. Rising from a sandy seabed, the granite core features scattered low boulders, ledges, and crevices encrusted with cold-water invertebrate life. Because of its open-bay location, the site is accessed exclusively by boat and requires calm conditions with minimal sea swell.
Extensive invertebrate carpet of soft corals, sea fans, and bryozoans
Frequent encounters with endemic small benthic catsharks
Offshore boulder topography with small gullies and overhangs
Location
Use the map to plan with your operator and confirm the exact entry point on the day.
Seasonality
Winter brings prevailing north-westerly winds, flattening the bay and providing the clearest water on False Bay reefs.
Marine life
| Species | Likelihood | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pyjama CatsharkPoroderma africanum | Common | ||||||||||||
| Leopard CatsharkPoroderma pantherinum | Common | ||||||||||||
| Cape Sea UrchinParechinus angulosus | Common | ||||||||||||
| Sinuous Sea FanEunicella tricoronata | Common | ||||||||||||
| Gasflame NudibranchBonisa nakaza | Seasonal |
Marine forecast
