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Detailed community dive guide for Dangerous Doug Reef, access, seasonality, and marine life.
Dangerous Doug Reef is an offshore granite reef off Simon's Town.
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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.
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
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.
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
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.
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
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.
Freediving
Not a natural freedive target; the normal plan is boat-based scuba.
Snorkeling
Not a snorkel-first site; the useful structure sits offshore and is better reached by scuba or boat.
Use the planner to scan this week, inspect today in local time, and understand how exposure shapes conditions at Dangerous Doug Reef.
Directional shelter context for incoming swell.
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
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Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Last Updated
Research Sources
Detailed community dive guide for Dangerous Doug Reef, access, seasonality, and marine life.
Local operator page for Windmill Beach access character and protected beach entry.
Official TMNP scuba permit and restriction rules.
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