Dive Travel — South Africa
Cape Town’s underwater world is an enthralling natural wonder teeming with marine life, including Great White Sharks, Seven-gill Cow Sharks, vibrant reefs, and the majestic Great African Kelp Forest. You can also see Orcas, Sunfish, Cape Fur Seals, African Penguins, and various species of whales and dolphins. This diverse marine environment makes Cape Town a prime destination for diving enthusiasts looking to explore unique underwater landscapes and meet a wide array of marine species.
Scuba diving in and around Cape Town offers varied opportunities. Numerous snorkeling and dive sites cater to every skill level. There are vibrant coral reefs, both shallow and deep, majestic kelp forests, and thrilling wreck dives.
Its abundant marine diversity makes it interesting, as it is a place where two oceans meet.
Why is Cape Town’s underwater world unique?
Our waters, located at Africa’s tip, are a unique meeting point of the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans. While not the exact spot where the two oceans converge (that’s Cape Agulhas), the collision of the cold, nutrient-rich Benguela current from the West Coast and the warm Agulhas current from the East meet here.
These currents create unique conditions that foster incredible biodiversity. The nutrient-rich waters support abundant reef life and sustain kelp forest ecosystems.
Map of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay
The Cape Peninsula stretches south from Cape Town to Cape Point or the Cape of Good Hope at its southern tip. Table Mountain National Park, a Marine Protected Area, provides a sanctuary for diverse marine life. The peninsula forms the western boundary of False Bay.
False Bay, a stunning underwater haven, faces southward and spans nearly 1,000 km2. Nestled between the Cape Peninsula and the Hottentots Holland Mountains in the extreme southwest of South Africa.
You can explore the underwater wonders on both the Atlantic side of the peninsula and inside False Bay.
Diving on the Atlantic side of the Cape Peninsula
There are many dive sites to explore. Diving here is exhilarating, though the water is biting cold from the Benguela Current.
A dry suit isn’t necessary, though some prefer it. Most divers wear 8- to 10-mm wetsuits with hoods and booties to ensure comfort and protection in the cool waters.
Divers happily dive the Atlantic side with 10mm wetsuits
Many dive sites along the coast are accessible as shore entries. Pods of dolphins and whales frolic in the cold water, and friendly sunfish are sometimes seen surfacing during your boat ride to or from your dive sites.
A large Cape Fur Seal colony resides outside Hout Bay on Duiker Island, and seals may be seen on dives along the coast.
Cape Fur Seal Colony at Duiker Island
Here, you can explore fascinating shipwrecks, some shallow enough for snorkelers and freedivers.
MV Aster Fishing Trawler Shipwreck in Hout Bay
The underwater landscape features an array of both large and small boulders that form rocky reefs, which slope down into the sea from the mountains. West Coast Rock Lobsters can be found hiding in the crevices and among the wrecks, which are adorned with Multicoloured sea fans, starfish, urchins, and anemones.
Large boulders form a swim-through near the Bos 400 shipwreck
Coldwater corals and awe-inspiring kelp forests, with tall fronds reaching up to the water’s surface, make diving here an unforgettable experience.
A diver exploring a large kelp forest on a deep dive
Diving in False Bay
Conditions vary from cold, seasonal upwellings along South Africa’s southwest coast to occasional warm-water intrusions from the Agulhas Current system, creating nutrient-rich waters in False Bay.
Divers wear 8 to 10-mm wetsuits with hoods and booties when diving in the bay to enhance their comfort and protection, even though the water is warmer.
Read more on Exploring False Bay's Aquatic Wonders.
False Bay is varied and offers a variety of dive options.
Large Whip fans on a deep reef in Simon’s Town
The western side of False Bay
Explore the numerous dive sites around Simon’s Town and down the Cape Peninsula to the captivating Smitswinkel Bay wrecks.
Shore diving is a popular activity here, with many dive sites easily accessible by simply stepping over boulders into the water. These shallow sites attract snorkelers, freedivers, and scuba divers alike, offering a delightful experience for all skill levels.
A swim-through at a popular shore dive site called A-Frame in Simon’s Town
The Boulders African penguin colony and Seal Island seal colony offer divers the unique opportunity to spot these fascinating animals. Divers can also commonly see African clawless otters, whales, and dolphin pods.
African Penguins at Boulders Beach
Boat access to deep reefs, shipwrecks, and deeper kelp forests. These dive sites are spectacular. Vibrant reefs boast sea fan forests and massive orange wall sponges. Schools of fish swirl through the kelp, which provides a home to about 14,000 marine species.
Discover the allure of the Kelp Forests of South Africa.
The eastern side of False Bay
Diving on False Bay’s eastern side, stretching from Gordon’s Bay to Cape Hangklip, offers a unique underwater experience. While shore dives are scattered along the coastline, access can be challenging due to the steep mountain slopes.
The scenic shoreline of Clarence Drive (R66)
The coast is dotted with many kelp forests, attracting snorkelers and freedivers who frequently dive here.
The mountains slope gracefully into the ocean, forming a rocky reef. The dive sites here boast diverse typography and varying depths, offering a unique experience at each turn. Accessing these underwater treasures by boat is the best way to dive here.
See Cape Fur seals, African clawless otters, and African penguins in their natural habitats.
Vibrant reef full of different corals, stars and sponges
The variety of marine species living on these abundant reefs makes this side of the bay truly special. Although visibility is usually lower, it creates a perfect macro dive hot spot.
Gasflame nudibranch (Bonisa nakaza) endemic to the South African coast
The nutrient-rich waters sustain a diverse marine life, creating colorful reefs filled with interesting critters. Riveting sea fan forests are scattered across the reefs. Home to over 75 species of nudibranchs, schools of fish, octopi, catsharks, Longsnout pipefish, and more, the area boasts a variety from tiny sea spiders to unique crabs.
Explore the allure of Scuba Diving in Gordon’s Bay.
A cuttlefish on the reef in Gordon’s Bay
Explore a unique ecosystem
Diving in Cape Town offers an unparalleled adventure, blending rich marine biodiversity with unique underwater landscapes. The waters around the Cape are a diver’s paradise, from majestic kelp forests and captivating shipwrecks to encounters with iconic species.
The meeting of two ocean currents creates ideal conditions for marine life to thrive, making every dive an opportunity to explore a unique ecosystem.
Cape Town’s underwater world offers an exhilarating and unforgettable experience, whether you seek the thrill of wreck diving or the serene beauty of False Bay’s reefs.
I hope to welcome you soon to explore the captivating underwater world here.
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by Madelein Wolfaardt
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