Mossel Bay faces the Indian Ocean and holds seven sites spread between natural reef and artificial structures, all at moderate depths accessible to beginners and intermediates. Santos Reef, De Bakke Reefs, and Mitch's Reef offer rocky gullies, orange sponges, sea fans, and feather-worms close to shore, while shark cage diving is an established activity in the area. Species recorded here include eagle rays, nudibranchs, long-nosed fur seals, and various catsharks. Four operators run from the town, and diving is possible throughout the year.
Monthly water temperature across Mossel Bay's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water is at its coolest in mid-winter, warming progressively from spring through summer to reach its highest point in January and February. Visibility varies across sites and conditions, but some sites report ranges up to thirty metres when conditions favour it.
Water temperature around Mossel Bay ranges from about 15°C in July to 21°C in January, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
In the warm season (about 21°C) a 5mm suit is comfortable in Mossel Bay; in the coldest months (about 15°C) step up to a 7mm or semi-dry suit.
Fin maps 7 sites in Mossel Bay (6 scuba diving sites and 2 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both).
6 more sites to explore
