Fisan Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 I did try and google this before asking here for some HubAdviceTM. I'm looking for some awesome, fairly safe (regarding sharks), snorkeling areas (just sight-seeing), Also, I don't need to pay for a tour and equipment, only a permit if I must. Any recommendations? Specific attractions (like a shipwreck or something) will receive bonus points! So far I have: Kleinmond, Hangklip and Rooi-Els.
swiss Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 Cape Point Reserve, Smitswinkel and just opposite the Twelve Apostles Hotel, Campsbay
Shebeen Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 Boulders is #1 for me. You'll need a permit from sanparks, but waters edge is just round the corner
Headshot Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 There are good spots all along the False Bay coast towards Cape Point. I have snorkeled at Millers Point, Castle Rocks and in the reserve itself. Conditions are key. A strong S/E wind usually means False Bay is out and the Atlantic coast is better.
urbanroyal Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 Apologies for the hijack. ..but are all snorkels equal. ..was thinking of getting one...any suggestions guys...thanx..
Pants Boy Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 Smitswinkel has 5 wrecks, but they are between 30 and 40 meters down. Great fun if you can hack it and there's a scuba crew down there. Millers Point is good, although I've run into some Bronzies there.Buffalo bay in Cape Point reserve was always great for me, but also the place I saw my biggest farking shark ever. Poked my head through the last of the kelp and 'Bruce's sister was staring at me - the three of us divers averaged her out at ~5 meters. There's also some really nice scenery out of Betty's bay - a bit of a walk to the right of the harbor, then go straight out from the first point you get. There's a couple of massive 'pot holes' in the ocean floor that extends around 3-5 meters below the sea-bed, we used to take dinner plate sized abalone there (late 90's) Sits in about 10m of water IIRC
Pants Boy Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 Apologies for the hijack. ..but are all snorkels equal. ..was thinking of getting one...any suggestions guys...thanx..Get one that fits your mouth. If you dive down, spit it out. Put it back after surfacing. This also eliminates that stupid 'self drain' thingy that never works
Headshot Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 Apologies for the hijack. ..but are all snorkels equal. ..was thinking of getting one...any suggestions guys...thanx..My favourite snorkel was an old yellow Tabata, shortish with a rotating mouthpiece and a decent bend. Still have it. Buy any well known diving brand - but as someone else said, make sure it fits your mouth.
Baracuda Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 What about those fish with the teeth? I thought most of the spots above were quite hairy? Just asking.
Boerklong Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 Apologies for the hijack. ..but are all snorkels equal. ..was thinking of getting one...any suggestions guys...thanx..Fitting your mouth is key. They can hurt real bad and the sore will las a couple of days
Skylark Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 don't forget the WETSUIT!+1 Million, but then again some people seem generally immune to even the crazy Ct water
Pants Boy Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 What about those fish with the teeth? I thought most of the spots above were quite hairy? Just asking. They're chiller than you think. I've only once been terrified by a shark, and that was a small(ish) Great white off Isipingo reef ...
GrumpyOldGuy Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 Apologies for the hijack. ..but are all snorkels equal. ..was thinking of getting one...any suggestions guys...thanx..No, definitely not all equal, as other have said look for one that fits your mouth but remember the mask can change your features a little as well, so wear your mask when trying a snorkel. Also dont buy a cheap one that has a small bore, snorkel bores vary, narrow ones for kids wider bores for adults. Obviously adults need a greater flow of air, so a narrow bore may not allow you sufficient flow, conversely if a kid has a wide bore he may not be able to vent it properly every time, this can lead to a build up of dead air in the bore.A good test is to see if you can almost insert your thumb into the bore, obviously this is just a rough guide but you will immediately see if the bore is ridiculously narrow or ridiculously wide. Also ensure the tube is sufficiently strong, a snorkel that bends or kinks in a current is a non starter, some modern snorkels can be folded up, these are fine for diving in the Carribean or your pool, not the Atlantic ocean where they will kink in a current. Not good. Many modern snorkels have self drains, in principle these are a good idea as instead of having to blow water up and out the entire length of the tube, one only needs to blow the water down through the drain, this in turn requires far less effort and should make your snorkeling more pleasant, however as someone said they can fail, especially if you get sand in the valve but in my view if you look after the snorkel and rinse it well it should be fine, as in most things, quality ones work, cheap ones dont. Oh, and stay away from those funny ones with a ping pong ball on the top.....
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