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Topography, boat-only access, summer conditions, and marine-life notes.
Dive Spot Guide•
Stonehenge
Boat-access Cape Town reef with kelp, surge, and seals.
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Exposed Hout Bay reef complex in the TMNP MPA, with granite boulders, pinnacles, kelp, and swim-throughs.
About Stonehenge
Stonehenge is a boat-access reef complex off Hout Bay in the Karbonkelberg area, built around large granite boulders, pinnacles, gullies, holes, overhangs, and kelp-covered ridges. It is a classic Cape Town Atlantic coast dive: exposed, cold, and weather dependent, but rewarding on a calm summer window for divers who like varied topography, swim-throughs, and dense reef life.
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Research Estimate At Stonehenge
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 8m
AccessChallenging entry effort
CoralMixed health
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesLimited facilities
Crowd / PopularityFew visitors
CurrentLight current
SurgeStrong surge
Where Is Stonehenge?
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Community sourced coordinates.
Stonehenge Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
0m - 30m
Depth Note
Some granite boulders and pinnacles break the surface, while the reef complex continues beyond 30 m in deeper sections.
Best Season
Summer, with occasional autumn or early-winter windows when the south-west swell is low.
Typical Conditions
South-westerly swell, choppy surface water, white water in the shallows, and strong surge in gullies are the usual planning constraints. Upwelling can briefly bring cold clear water, but plankton blooms can quickly drop visibility again.
Safety & Access At Stonehenge
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Overhead environment
Safety Notes
Swim-throughs, holes, and overhangs add overhead environments; deeper sections exceed 30 m and are better suited to appropriately trained divers.
Access Restrictions
Boat-only access, with scuba diving inside the TMNP MPA subject to permit rules and restricted-zone checks.
Legal Notes
Plan on the current TMNP MPA permit rules and restricted-zone map; treat the site as controlled-access and do not assume permissive entry.
Local Intel For Stonehenge
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Boat-access reef complex with kelp-covered ridges, granite pinnacles, small walls, and swim-throughs. Best on a low-swell day when the surface is settled enough for a careful drop and pickup.
Freediving
Only for experienced freedivers on a calm day; the exposure, cold water, and boat-only access make it a poor casual freedive target.
Snorkeling
Not a routine snorkel site. The boat-only access, cold water, and surge-prone reef make it better suited to scuba than casual snorkelling.
Wildlife at Stonehenge
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Stonehenge
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Stonehenge
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility8m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
