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Detailed community dive guide for Dangerous Doug Reef, access, seasonality, and marine life.
Dive Spot Guide•
Dangerous Doug Reef
Dangerous Doug Reef is an offshore granite reef off Simon's Town.
Scuba DivingBoatIntermediate
Reef
Plan it as a boat-first reef dive; Windmill Beach shore access is only for calm days, strong navigation, and fit divers.
About Dangerous Doug Reef
Dangerous Doug Reef is an offshore granite reef off Simon's Town in False Bay, built from scattered outcrops, sand patches, gullies and low relief rock. It suits planned boat dives more than casual shore access, with Windmill Beach only workable for fit divers in calm conditions. The reef rewards divers who like route-finding over a broken granite landscape rather than a single clean wall.
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Research Estimate At Dangerous Doug Reef
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 10m
AccessChallenging entry effort
Aquatic LifeAverage variety
FacilitiesLimited facilities
Crowd / PopularityVery quiet
SurgeModerate surge
Where Is Dangerous Doug Reef?
This spotNearby spots
Community sourced coordinates.
Dangerous Doug Reef Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
12m - 20m
Depth Note
High points are around 12m, with deeper reef and sand toward about 20m. The site is a broken granite reef rather than a single feature.
Best Season
Winter, especially when swell is low and westerly winds are settled.
Typical Conditions
Best on calm-swell days; the reef is offshore and the Windmill approach becomes awkward when the sea state builds.
Safety & Access At Dangerous Doug Reef
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Boat trafficRestricted access
Safety Notes
Treat the Windmill route as a navigation exercise, not a casual swim. Surface only with a plan and stay out of the small-craft line.
Access Restrictions
Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area; scuba diving permit required. Check local zone boundaries before planning any shore approach.
Legal Notes
Follow current TMNP MPA permit and zone rules before diving.
Local Intel For Dangerous Doug Reef
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba
Boat drop is the default plan. Expect a broken granite reef with sand patches, gullies and low outcrops; shore attempts are navigation-heavy and only work in settled conditions.
Freedive
Not a natural freedive target; the normal plan is boat-based scuba.
Snorkel
Not a snorkel-first site; the useful structure sits offshore and is better reached by scuba or boat.
Dangerous Doug Reef Dive Conditions Planner
Use the planner to scan this week, inspect today in local time, and understand how exposure shapes conditions at Dangerous Doug Reef.
Current Snapshot
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🌥️Variable
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Surface / Entry
Wind No data · Tide No data
Sea State
Swell No data · Period unavailable
Visibility Outlook
Rain chance No data
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Exposure Profile at Dangerous Doug Reef
Directional shelter context for incoming swell.
Exposure Note
Hourly forecast data is not available yet.
Wildlife at Dangerous Doug Reef
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Dangerous Doug Reef
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
No Dive Logs Yet
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Dive Spot Log Averages At Dangerous Doug Reef
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility10m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
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Dangerous Doug Reef Guide - Frequently Asked Questions
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Dangerous Doug Reef Guide - Sources and Updates
Last Updated
Research Sources
www.diveaction.co.za · Operator
Local operator page for Windmill Beach access character and protected beach entry.
www.sanparks.org · Official
Official TMNP scuba permit and restriction rules.
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