Partridge Point

This dive site, known as Partridge Point, is a significant granite reef complex located off the coast. The area’s name derives from several landmarks: "Seal Rock" due to the frequent presence of Cape fur seals basking on it, and "Peter's Pinnacles", named after its original mapper. "Big Rock" represents the highest point within the site, while "Deep Partridge" refers to the deepest section of the reef complex east of Seal Rock. A smaller outlier reef area, "Fish Tank," was named by divers exploring it for the first time. The reef is characterized by a diverse topography—ranging from low boulder fields and rubble formations to chaotic jumbles of enormous boulders perched atop larger ridges. It’s bordered by sand on the south and east sides, and extends northwards towards Castle Rocks in shallower waters. The site features numerous swim-throughs and overhangs created by these varied rock structures. Visibility can vary; however, good conditions offer spectacular views of the reef structure with wide-angle or fisheye lenses. Due to suspended sediment, an external flash is recommended for macro photography. The seabed contains extensive kelp forests and a heavy invertebrate cover. Divers commonly encounter shoals of small fish such as Hottentot sea bream and Fransmadam, alongside larger species like Roman, John Brown, Two-tone Fingerfin, and Galjoen. Cryptic species like klipfish and Redfingers are also frequently observed. Cape fur seals regularly visit the site, often basking on Seal Rock or swimming nearby. The maximum depth of the reef reaches approximately 26 meters in sandy areas east of Seal Rock, with shallower depths around Big Rock (around 17 meters) and near swim-throughs south-east of it (approximately 22 meters). Pinnacles rising to a height of about 6 meters are also found on top of some boulders.