Tony's Reef

This dive site is known as Tony’s Reef, possibly named after a long-standing local dive boat skipper. Located in False Bay, it offers a rugged reef experience with varying depths. The maximum depth reaches approximately 14 meters on the sandy bottom. The topography consists of fairly rugged reefs characterized by medium to large ridges and outcrops sloping down steeply to a shelly pebble zone and eventually to sand. The seabed exhibits two distinct zones: fine sand closer to shore with small ripples, transitioning to coarser, shelly sand further out featuring larger ripples. A notable feature is the presence of east-west ridges and gullies, some broken up, overlaid by transverse gullies running onshore-offshore; several of these have a base of clean, rounded boulders—a sign of strong wave action during rough weather. Photography benefits from macro techniques, though wide-angle shots utilizing natural light or external flash can minimize backscatter. This reef is home to typical False Bay marine life including sea fans, encrusting sponges, false corals, and red bait in shallower areas. Burrowing anemones are commonly found along the sandy edges.