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The dive site Ledges is a shoreline rocky reef in the Gordon's Bay area on the east side of False Bay, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa.


Understand

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Aerial view of the dive site at Ledges. (Photo CDS&M)
See also: Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay#Understand

Position

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  • S34°10.193’ E018°50.726’ 1 Ledges

This site is not in a Marine Protected Area. A permit is not required.

Name

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Named "Ledges" for the ledge on the shore just above high water, which is the landmark from the seaward side. There is also a high rock outcrop at the north east end of the ledge where enthusiasts jump into the water from several meters up. Take care where you jump if you try this.

Depth

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Maximum depth is about 9 m.

Topography

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Fairly flat bottom with smallish boulders and occasional sand between.

Geology: The coastal outcrops of Tygerberg formation in the Gordon’s Bay area are visible here and to the north

Conditions

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Best during or after South Easterly winds. Reasonably sheltered from South Westerly swells.

Facilities

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Small paved parking area on the seaward side of the road.

Get in

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See also: Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay#Boat dives

Usually a boat dive. The site is about 1.8 km from Gordon's Bay harbour, or 2.4 km from Harbour Island.

Alternatively it could be a shore dive with quite a steep climb. Park at the paved parking area just before the junction of the R44 and Protea road. Find your own route before kitting up.

See

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Marine life

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See also: Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay#The marine ecology

Surprisingly interesting variety of organisms though the topography is pretty bland. Low reef with mounds of stringy stuff with sand and cerianthids. Fine sand offshore. Popular site for rock anglers, so quite a lot of nylon monofilament fishing line, often in tangled masses.

Photography

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Routes

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No particular route recommended.

Stay safe

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See also: Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay#Stay safe

Hazards

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Shore access requires a scramble down steep rocks and a slightly tricky entry and exit.

Skills

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No special skills required for boat dive. Reasonable fitness would be required for shore dive to climb down the mountainside from the road

Equipment

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See also: Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay#Equipment

No special equipment recommended.

Nearby

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Map
Ledges and nearby dive sites

Back to the Alphabetical list of sites, or list of dive sites in the Gordon's Bay area

Other regional dive sites:

This dive guide to Ledges is a usable article. It has information on location and equipment as well as some complete entries on what to see. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.