Photographer's Reef, South Africa
Also within 20 km of Hout Bay
- Hout Bay Harbour Wall Surf spot · 0.8 km from Hout Bay
- Hout Bay Surf spot · 1.7 km from Hout Bay
- Secrets (Chapmans Peak Shorey) Surf spot · 2.5 km from Hout Bay
- Sandy Bay south Surf spot · 3.2 km from Hout Bay
- Dungeons (The Slab section) Surf spot · 3.3 km from Hout Bay
- Sandy Bay Surf spot · 3.3 km from Hout Bay
- Chapman's Peak mystery lefts. Surf spot · 3.4 km from Hout Bay
- Dungeons Surf spot · 3.4 km from Hout Bay
About Photographer's Reef
A reef dive. It goes down to 13 m. You get in from a boat. It suits Advanced divers and up, as a dive guide states it. The coast faces W: swell from the W reaches it, and wind from the E blows out to sea. 1 dive centre or shop within 10 km, the nearest 6.2 km away. The sea is about 15°C in August, its coldest month (7 mm semi-dry or a drysuit), and 18°C in January, its warmest (7 mm wetsuit and hood). For experienced divers the best month is usually February, with about 4 good days in 7; in July and August, about 1. From the weather of past years. The town to stay in is Hout Bay. Within 5 km we also list 11 surf spots.
- What it is Reef.
- How deep Down to 13 m.
- Getting in From a boat.
- Who it suits Suits Advanced divers and up, as a dive guide states it.
- Dive centres 1 dive centre or shop within 10 km, the nearest 6.2 km away.
Facts: verified.
Dive centres nearby
Scuba Shack 6.2 km
Cape Town Dive Centre 12 km
Pisces Divers 14 km
Ollava 15 km
Into the Blue Scuba 19 km
The nearest named dive centres and shops within 25 km, in a straight line; training agencies where the map states them. Listings, not a recommendation. Dive centres: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Credits
Water about 16°C: 7 mm wetsuit and hood. Typical sea temperature for the time of year, not a forecast.
Visibility under 5 m. Typical for the time of year, estimated from ten years of NASA satellite water clarity, not a forecast. Clearest in Jan, Feb, Jun and Jul (about 7 m).
This week's visibility, the current and the life no free forecast gives. Ask a dive centre before you book.
Save this trip A link to come back to, or to send to the group.
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From Chicago: about 26 h 35 door to door, one way. An estimate; the journey never changes the score.
Fly. Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Cape Town International Airport (CPT), changing at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).
See flights MDW → CPT · Skyscanner from about £765 returnAdGetting there. 45 min from the airport to Photographer's Reef.
Accommodation.
Stay in Hout BayAd
Typical prices for a double room that month, not a quote.
Room photos are examples, not these hotels (credits).
See all places to stay in Hout Bay (ad) on Booking.com →Closest towns to stay in
Hout Bay 7 min by car · rooms from £40 a night · 49 places to stay
Places to stay in Hout Bay · Booking.com Ad
Typical prices for a double room that month, not a quote. Distances are straight lines unless a drive is given: a site out at sea is reached by boat.
Hire and lessons.
Dives and courses in Hout Bay · GetYourGuideAdDive gear hire in Hout Bay · GetYourGuideAd
Budget 
Mid-range 
Luxury Where it is
Photographer's Reef on Google Maps · Directions
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One finger scrolls the page; two fingers move the map. Pins are our own positions. Map OpenFreeMap, © OpenMapTiles, data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Forecast
Best on Sat 24: Sea 1.5 m. Wind 9 kn gusting 12.
The score for experienced divers, coloured as on the area pages:GoodFairPoor
| Day | Score | Sea | Wind | Gusts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 18Oct | 32, poor | 3.2 m | 11 kn | 16kn |
| Mon 19Oct | 49, good | 2.1 m | 8 kn | 12kn |
| Tue 20Oct | 65, good | 1.8 m | 8 kn | 12kn |
| Wed 21Oct | 32, poor | 3.1 m | 14 kn | 23kn |
| Thu 22Oct | 34, poor | 2.4 m | 5 kn | 14kn |
| Fri 23Oct | 49, good | 2.1 m | 7 kn | 10kn |
| Sat 24Oct | 80, good | 1.5 m | 9 kn | 12kn |
| Sun 25Oct | 62, good | 1.7 m | 19 kn | 25kn |
| Mon 26Oct | 44, fair | 2.1 m | 18 kn | 24kn |
| Tue 27Oct | 55, good | 2.0 m | 14 kn | 21kn |
Day scores are the conditions out of 80, from the two best daylight readings: a morning and an afternoon dive. Sea is the open water's waves near the site, in metres. Wind and gusts are in knots (10 kn is about 19 km/h); "boats in" marks gusts that keep dive boats in. This week's visibility, the current and the life no free forecast gives.
The season
Good diving days in a typical week, each month, for experienced divers, from 2016 on (ERA5 history scored the same way).
- Jan3of 7
- Feb4of 7
- Mar3of 7
- Apr3of 7
- May2of 7
- Jun2of 7
- Jul1of 7
- Aug1of 7
- Sep2of 7
- Oct3of 7
- Nov3of 7
- Dec3of 7
Typical, not a forecast: the sea and the mean wind of each day, with no gusts or rain in the history.
Rough cost
About £1,075–£2,130 each for 6 nights, 2 people sharing. A guide from typical prices, not a quote. Dives are not priced yet: we have no sourced price for a guided dive, so they are not in it.
- Flights £765–£1,585
- To the UK airport £35–£65
- Hire car £50–£85
- Stay £110–£185
- Food £115–£210
Places to eat near Hout Bay
- Dunes Beach Restaurant and BarSeafood · 0.4 km from the centre
- Bucca BugattisPizza · 0.5 km from the centre
- Dario's CafeItalian · 0.5 km from the centre
- Delish RestaurantBreakfast and brunch · 0.5 km from the centre
- Papino's RestaurantPizza · 0.5 km from the centre
- Souvla StixMediterranean · 0.5 km from the centre
Within 2 km of the town centre, listed by how complete the listing is (website, opening hours, cuisine) and whether two sources name it. Not a judgement of the food: we have no reviews. Listings © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and Overture Maps Foundation. Credits
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Where to stayAd
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