Protected areas for the South African rock lobster, Jasus lalandii, were sampled by using divers, traps and ringnets at sites within and adjacent to four protected areas (St Helena Bay, Saldanha Bay and Table Bay rock lobster sanctuaries and the Betty’s Bay marine reserve), over two years. Virtually no rock lobsters were found in St Helena Bay sanctuary, probably because of periodic harmful algal blooms. Abundance was greater in Saldanha Bay sanctuary than in adjacent fished areas, but only once in two years. Sizes were, however, larger in this sanctuary than the fished areas. By an order of magnitude, fewer and smaller rock lobsters were caught within the Table Bay sanctuary than in adjacent areas. Only at Betty’s Bay were rock lobster sizes and abundance consistently greater inside than outside the reserve. Fecundity was similar among sites, with females in protected areas contributing no more to egg production than would be expected by the proportional area occupied by protected areas. Rock lobsters do benefit from protection in Betty’s Bay reserve, but the west coast sanctuaries appear poorly located and seemingly contain large areas of unsuitable substrate. They clearly need relocation to be effective.