Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Wilhelm's Wall

Maximum depth is about 33 m, at the west end of the ridge. and the top of the ridge is about 12 m. (Average depth of a dive is likely to be about 20 to 25 m.)

Visibility is likely to be typical of that part of the peninsula coast. The exploratory dive had visibility of over 10 m, following a short but strong southeasterly wind.

The wall is mainly along the southwest and northeast sides of a fairly narrow granite gully. which blends into shallower but lower reef to the southeast. The gully is fairly flat bottomed, and the parallel ridge to the south is more broken and less consistently steep.

Geology:

Precambrian granite of the Peninsula pluton.

The site is exposed to wind from all directions, and swells from the northwest to southwest, so should be dived in low swells and easterly winds, and is likely to be good after a strong southeaster if the swell is reasonably low. It is likely to be good most often in summer, but can also be dived during other seasons when conditions are suitable.

This is an area which sometimes has upwellings after a strong south-easterly wind, resulting in cold, clear water for a while, then an algal bloom which will reduce surface visibility, but may leave it reasonably clear but quite dark in deeper water.

Colourful sponges, noble corals, sea anemones,basket stars, brittlestars and other starfish on the steep rock faces, Kelp and smaller seaweeds on the top of the ridge, and sea urchins on the deeper reef top surfaces. Small shoals of hottentot seabream.

The eponymous wall

Some swim-throughs have been reported, but their position is not known.

The topography is on a scale too large for scenic photography unless the visibility is unusually good, and there are lots of fairly small, colourful invertebrates, so macro and wide angle lenses will be most versatile most of the time. On a really good day natural light will be sufficient, but the site is deep enough that there will not be much red left in the ambient light, even on a good day, so lighting will be needed to restore colour.

Drop the shot at the coordinates given, which is against the south face, near the deep crack joining the north and south sides. Swim along the face of the wall and around to the other side, and then just explore the parts not yet reported.

No site specific hazards reported.

The site is a bit deep for entry level divers, and the parts above 18m are not particularly interesting. The site is fairly easy to navigate if you stay on the wall, but if you plan to explore further, the ability to deploy a DSMB is recommended. Good buoyancy skills are also important as the rock face is near vertical over a height of up to about 15m.

The water will be cold - usually below 10°C on a day with good visibility, so a dry suit is recommended though not essential. A DSB is recommended, and Nitrox will give you a longer dive.