Langebaan Training Area - Cape Town & Western Cape

Natacha is a site we keep coming back to in the Loyalty Islands, and honestly, we think it’s one of the best pinnacles in the region. It’s a bit of a boat ride, about 45 minutes out into the Bayes channel, but that just means fewer crowds. The four pinnacles here are absolutely smothered in gorgonians. Not just a few, but huge, colourful fans reaching out, swaying in the current. You can actually feel the surge gently pushing you as you drift past these coral gardens. We’ve seen schools of spangled emperor and five-lined snapper so dense they almost form a wall, and the blue fusiliers are always a riot around the tops of the pinnacles. Keep an eye out into the blue for dorado flashing past. We’ve had a few encounters with tiger sharks here, usually cruising the deeper sections around 20-25m, which is always a thrill. It’s a site that suits divers who appreciate healthy coral, pelagic action, and don’t mind a bit of current to make things interesting. Definitely aim for a slack tide if you want to really spend time photographing the smaller stuff like the granular frog shells we’ve spotted tucked into crevices.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-33.045600, 18.040400
Type
pinnacle

Marine Protected Area: Marcus Island Marine Protected Area

Best Time to Dive in Cape Town & Western Cape

The warmest water temperatures in Cape Town & Western Cape occur in January, averaging 18.9°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 18.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 18.9°C (air: 20.8°C)
  • February: 18.9°C (air: 20.7°C)
  • March: 18.9°C (air: 19.5°C)
  • April: 18.9°C (air: 17.3°C)
  • May: 18.9°C (air: 15.8°C)
  • June: 18.9°C (air: 15.0°C)
  • July: 18.9°C (air: 13.2°C)
  • August: 18.9°C (air: 13.2°C)
  • September: 18.9°C (air: 13.9°C)
  • October: 18.9°C (air: 16.5°C)
  • November: 18.9°C (air: 17.8°C)
  • December: 18.9°C (air: 19.3°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Cape Town & Western Cape

Nearest Dive Centres to Langebaan Training Area

Marine Life in Cape Town & Western Cape

Home to 271 recorded species including 176 reef fish, 45 sharks & rays, 28 whales & dolphins, 5 hard corals, 4 other, 4 octopus & squid.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Langebaan Training Area

Based on average water temperature of 18.9°C.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 19°C water
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories