Photographer’s Reef - Cape Town & Western Cape

Seaview is an absolute favourite of ours when we're in Carriacou, especially if we're feeling like a really relaxed dive. At just 11 metres, it's a calm, shallow site, perfect for newer divers, but honestly, we find ourselves lingering there sometimes just for the sheer density of life. The average 17-metre visibility means you can often see from one end of the site to the other, a nice change of pace. The "seaview" itself is a sprawling, sandy patch with isolated coral heads, a real magnet for macro critters. We've seen so many Chain Morays here, their speckled heads peeking out from every crevice. Keep an eye out for Dark-spotted Snake Eels poking out of the sand, too – they're surprisingly common. We’ve had dives where we spotted five octopus, a couple of scorpionfish, and even a turtle or a frogfish. It's a goldmine for little things, and the big schools of Sergeant Majors create these shimmering walls of fish. We love Seaview for an easy, unhurried dive, where the real reward is taking the time to slowly explore every nook and cranny.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-34.197300, 18.457200
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Table Mountain National Park 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 Photographer’s Reef

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 Photographer’s Reef

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