ctdf.co.za · Tourism
Cape Town Dive Festival site list showing Livingstone Reef depth and Open Water suitability.
Dive Spot Guide•
Livingstone Reef
Boat-only False Bay pinnacle reef with sea fans
Scuba DivingBoatIntermediate
DeepReef
Local operator required
Boat access and permit logistics make a local skipper or charter the practical default.
Offshore Simon's Bay boat dive with a mid-depth rocky pinnacle, weather-sensitive windows, and a route suited to calm days.
About Livingstone Reef
Livingstone Reef is a boat-only granite pinnacle reef off Simon's Bay in False Bay. The main structure is a compact cluster of rocks with crevices, low ridges, and a few overhangs, plus a second outcrop to the east. It suits divers comfortable with mid-depth offshore boat diving and weather windows, with sea fans, anemones, soft corals, and mixed reef fish on the relief.
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Research Estimate At Livingstone Reef
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
AccessModerate entry effort
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesBasic facilities
Crowd / PopularityModerate
CurrentNo current
SurgeLight surge
Where Is Livingstone Reef?
This spotNearby spots
Community sourced coordinates.
Livingstone Reef Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
14m - 23m
Depth Note
The main pinnacle tops out at about 14 m, the eastern outcrop is shallower again, and the surrounding sand runs to about 23 m.
Best Season
Winter is usually the cleanest window, with calmer False Bay conditions; light-wind summer days can also work.
Typical Conditions
Offshore False Bay granite reef with moderate relief, a sandy base, weather-sensitive visibility, and surge that rises when swell periods lengthen.
Safety & Access At Livingstone Reef
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Boat trafficSurge
Safety Notes
Choose light-wind windows, carry a DSMB, and plan for boat pickup and the MPA permit before you go.
Access Restrictions
Boat dive only; too far offshore to swim. The site sits inside the Boulders Restricted Zone of the Table Mountain National Park MPA.
Legal Notes
Recreational diving in the TMNP MPA needs the proper permit and compliance with park and launch rules.
Local Intel For Livingstone Reef
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba
Best for divers comfortable with boat dives and mid-depth reef structure. The route around the main pinnacle is the core dive, with the eastern outcrop as an add-on when conditions allow.
Snorkel
Not a snorkel target; the useful structure sits below comfortable snorkelling depth.
Livingstone Reef Dive Conditions Planner
Use the planner to scan this week, inspect today in local time, and understand how exposure shapes conditions at Livingstone Reef.
Current Snapshot
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Visibility Outlook
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Exposure Profile at Livingstone Reef
Directional shelter context for incoming swell.
Exposure Note
Hourly forecast data is not available yet.
Recent Logged Visits At Livingstone Reef
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
No Dive Logs Yet
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Dive Spot Log Averages At Livingstone Reef
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
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Livingstone Reef Guide - Frequently Asked Questions
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Livingstone Reef Guide - Sources and Updates
Last Updated
Research Sources
diveadvisor.com · Operator
Local Cape Town dive-center page listing Livingstone Reef among nearby sites and describing boat/shoreside support.
en.wikivoyage.org · Community
Site guide with boat-only access, permit context, conditions, depth, and marine-life notes.
www.sanparks.org · Official
TMNP MPA report covering False Bay bathymetry, swell, temperature, and marine biodiversity context.
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