Diving in Cape Town
- False Bay: Located on the eastern side, False Bay is an excellent diving spot with warmer waters and gentle currents. It's a welcoming habitat for playful seals and colourful fish like wrasses and butterflyfish, providing divers with a relaxed experience surrounded by vibrant marine life.
- Atlantic Seaboard: On the western side, the Atlantic Seaboard offers a more challenging but rewarding diving experience. With colder waters and stronger currents, divers need skill and experience. The adventure is worthwhile, featuring intriguing wrecks and hosting marine life such as great white sharks, seals, and various fish.
- South Coast: Moving along the South Coast reveals a diverse underwater landscape, from rocky shores to kelp forests and sandy bottoms. The rocky shores house various marine species, while the kelp forests and sandy bottoms provide a dynamic and visually captivating dive.
18 Best Dive Spots in Cape Town
1. The A-Frame
Depth: 8-18 meters
Level: All levels
Location: Hout Bay
2. The Clan Stuart
A sunken shipwreck near Duiker Island offers a hauntingly beautiful underwater exploration. The wreckage is adorned with soft corals, attracting a variety of fish.Depth: 6-25 meters
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Location: Duiker Island
3. Castle Rock
Situated in False Bay, Castle Rock is renowned for its diverse marine life and kelp forests. Expect encounters with playful seals and a variety of fish species.Depth: 5-25 meters
Level: All levels
Location: False Bay
4. Justin’s Caves
An intriguing dive site with a series of underwater caves near Oudekraal. Explore the caverns, home to lobsters, sea fans, and a rich variety of marine creatures.Depth: 6-18 meters
Level: Intermediate
Location: Oudekraal
5. The Maori
A historic shipwreck off the coast of Sea Point, The Maori is now an artificial reef teeming with marine life, making it a popular spot for underwater photographers.Depth: 12-24 meters
Level: Advanced
Location: Sea Point
6. V&A Waterfront
Explore the underwater wonders around the iconic V&A Waterfront, where you can find a mix of artificial structures and marine life against the backdrop of Cape Town's cityscape.Depth: 5-10 meters
Level: All levels
Location: Cape Town
7. SAS Pietermaritzburg
Depth: 18-24 meters
Level: Advanced
Location: False Bay
8. Pyramid Rock
Located in False Bay, Pyramid Rock is a pinnacle dive known for its dramatic underwater topography and the chance to encounter pelagic fish, rays, and sharks.Depth: 18-40 meters
Level: Advanced
Location: False Bay
9. Partridge Point
Home to a thriving colony of seals, Partridge Point offers a dynamic dive experience with playful seal interactions and diverse underwater scenery.Depth: 12-24 meters
Level: All levels
Location: False Bay
10. Duiker Island
Famous for its Cape Fur Seal colony, Duiker Island provides an exhilarating dive experience with curious seals, kelp forests, and excellent visibility.Depth: 6-18 meters
Level: All levels
Location: Hout Bay
11. Smitswinkel Bay
Depth: 12-28 meters
Level: Advanced
Location: False Bay
12. Vulcan Rock
A pinnacle dive near Hout Bay, Vulcan Rock features stunning underwater rock formations and the chance to spot schools of pelagic fish, including yellowtail.Depth: 25-40 meters
Level: Advanced
Location: Hout Bay
13. Whittle Rock
An underwater pinnacle near Simon's Town, Whittle Rock is a haven for divers seeking encounters with diverse marine life, including rays, pyjama sharks, and sea fans.Depth: 18-40 meters
Level: Advanced
Location: Simon's Town
14. Sandy Cove
A sheltered dive site in Hout Bay, Sandy Cove offers a gentle slope with sandy patches, making it an ideal spot for novice divers and underwater photographers.Depth: 6-18 meters
Level: All levels
Location: Hout Bay
15. The Antipolis
A shipwreck dive off the coast of Hout Bay, The Antipolis is now an artificial reef adorned with marine life, attracting divers with its historical and biological significance.Depth: 18-30 meters
Level: Advanced
Location: Hout Bay
16. The Aster
Depth: 6-18 meters
Level: All levels
Location: Oudekraal
17. MV Katsu Maru
An intentionally sunk vessel off the coast of Cape Town, MV Katsu Maru is a captivating wreck dive, attracting divers with its marine life and submerged artefacts.Depth: 22-30 meters
Level: Advanced
Location: Cape Town
18. Star Walls
Located near Hout Bay, Star Walls is characterized by impressive underwater walls adorned with soft corals, sea fans, and the occasional appearance of pelagic species.Depth: 18-40 meters
Level: Advanced
Location: Hout Bay
Best Time to Go for Diving in Cape Town
Cape Town welcomes scuba divers all year, and while winters (June-August) bring cooler weather, the southern coast becomes calmer and more accessible. Keep in mind that the Atlantic coast is less accessible during these colder months. A key factor for planning your dives is the water temperature, averaging between 55 and 63°F (13 and 17°C) throughout the year.Here are the prime times to spot some of the most popular marine life while diving:
- Blue Shark: November to June
- Great White Shark: March to October
- Humpback Whale: August to November
- Seal: Throughout the year
- Common Dolphin: Throughout the year
- Summer (December to February): In Cape Town, water temperatures usually range from 13°C to 18°C (55°F to 64°F). The clear waters make it easy to see vibrant coral reefs and various marine life. Warmer temperatures also mean you can enjoy longer dives comfortably. One interesting thing to note is the migration of pelagic species like sharks and rays, attracted by plenty of prey.
- Autumn (March to May): In Cape Town, water temperatures usually range from 11°C to 16°C (52°F to 61°F). Autumn marks the mating season, leading to unique underwater behaviours and interactions among marine life. The season comes with stable weather conditions and relatively warm waters, making it an excellent time for diving.
- Winter (June to August): Winter brings water temperatures ranging from 10°C to 14°C (50°F to 57°F). During this season, two key highlights emerge. Firstly, winter offers the best visibility for exploring wrecks and kelp forests, showcasing a different side of Cape Town's underwater world. Secondly, it's the time when adorable Cape Fur Seal pups are born, adding vitality to seal colonies as they play in the water.
- Spring (September to November): Spring brings water temperatures ranging from 12°C to 16°C (54°F to 61°F). This season is highlighted by two notable features. First, above the water, the coastline comes alive with vibrant wildflower blooms, adding to the beauty of dive sites. Second, spring welcomes back migratory species, increasing biodiversity and offering divers opportunities to encounter different marine life.