it depends on the time of year. in summer, the gamefish migrate south, and they prefer the 60ft reefs, so we dive about 500m+ offshore, but in the end of winter/spring, the only fish about are on the backline, so it gets a bit tricky if the surf is sizable. still, it always involves a swim through the surf.
i've just spent a month in mauritius, from nov to dec. that was incredible diving, not from the prespective of fish life (i've seen more at sodwana) but the fact that you can just put on a pair of fins, swim over the barrier reef and you are diving coral reefs in warm crystal waters.
it must have been a while since you've been to SA? i hope you have a great dive in CT.
cheers
mark