The top 26 dive and snorkel sites in Western Cape, ranked by diver reviews, with maps and photos. Read the Western Cape guide
After wading through the garbage, the beautiful delicate sea horses under the jetty make this dive well worth while. Knysna is situated along the Garden Route, almost half way between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. It is famous for the Knysna Lagoon, home to the sea horses in this area.
Gansbaai is known for its dense population of whales and great white sharks. Divers from all over the world visit Gansbaai for a unique opportunity of diving with great white sharks.
This is possibly the most popular site with regard to dive training as most centres conduct their OW training dives here. The easy access and calm waters make it ideal. You also have a wreck, named the "BATA", about 50 metres from shore which is home to quite a few specias of fish including the elusive Double sash Butterflyfish. Many Pufadder shysharks frequent this site as well as some large rays. As you enter Simons Town you turn left and follow a road to a small parking area. There are facilities such as bathrooms and shower. prior to diving here permission needs to be obtained from the SA Navy as they periodically conduct exercises in area. Long Beach is also known as BATA Wreck.
Great White Sharks dive in shark cage. South of Gans Bay, close to the seal colony. Between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock. Shark Alley is also known as Ilha da Fera, Island of wild creatures.
The RMS Athens was mercilessly thrown against the rocks near Mouille Point in the famous Cape Town Great Gale on the 17th May 1865. All 30 crew members tragically lost their lives in the gale storm. Along with this wreck, 14 other ships either ran aground or suffered damage, although no other lives were lost. The wreck can be accessed from Green Point which is half way between the Cape Town CBD and Sea Point.
This is a great dive when training for deeper dives. It is also great for underwater navigation exercises, but care should be taken. There are basically 2 spots that are dived and both are marked by buoys which are actually empty containers. When looking towards them from the entry point the spot on the right is the shallower dive which goes to about 25 meters. The spot to the left of that goes to about 40 meters although unconfirmed reports of even deeper dives have been heard of. This site is located just off the N2 highway below Sir Lowrys Pass. When driving on the N2 towards the pass turn left into Sir Lowry Road and follow the road for a few hundred meters before you turn left again. There are signs as well to assist. After this left turn follow the gravel road until you reach the buildings where there are facilities including fast foods and cloak rooms. You will have to pay about R120 should you wish to dive here.
The Clan Stuart was a Brittish Terret steamer that ran aground on the 21st of November 1914 and although attempts were made to re-float her over a period of 4 months it was unsuccessful. Today you can still see the engine block breaking the surface which makes it very easy to spot from the road. Depth here is between 7 and 9 meters and you can see many large rays and puffadder shy sharks, not to mention various fish species. This is also a beautiful night dive but do ensure to have enough lighting as you need to cross the train tracks to get to the point of entry.Furthermore it is also well protected against the south westerly swell and in my opinion i have enjoyed the best dives here during autumn and winter. Visibility varies between 2 to 8 meters depending on weather conditions, but some have had the privilege of enjoying even better visibility, but this is rare.The risk factor is minimal, but larger sharks have been spotted here. Some boats also venture quite close at times so ensure a buoy be visible to indicate divers in the water. A permit is required to dive here which can be obtained from any post office. This site is situated on the way to Long Beach and is an easy accessible shore dive with enough parking. A short walk across the train tracks and you are at the point of entry. Sometimes swell can be tricky so take care when entering. Once in the water the wreck is about 50 meters from shore.
The Antipolis and Romelia was under tow by the tug, Kiyo Maru 2,when the tow cable snagged on the sea bed resulting in the cables breaking. The Antipolis was blown towards shore by strong winds and rough seas where it ran aground near Oudekraal. This is a tough dive with regards to the entry and the fact that there are steel plating with ragged and sharp edges. The water is also very cold. This site is situated very close to Sandy Cove, Oudekraal and Justins Cave. Park alongside the road opposite the Twelve Apostles Hotel on the yellow line as there is no other parking and you will note everyone parks there. After gearing up it is short walk along a narrow path followed by a tricky climb over large rocks and boulders.
Buffels Bay is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in South Africa, Western Cape, Cape Town which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
Shore entry dive along the harbour wall. Beautiful small sharks appear readily at the scent on squid/chokka bait. Species include pajama sharks, leopard sharks, shy sharks. Take a hoodie for the cold, and preferably open heel fins, not only for the cold but also for grip on the slippery shore entry.
This is a deep dive and is the longest and tallest wall dive in the area. The wall starts at a maximum depth of 32m and comes up to about 8m. The wall is covered in a variety of sponges, corals, ascidians and invertebrates. Nudibranchs, crabs and small fish makes for good macro photography. During summer months visibility can be quite good, up to 20m, but the water temperature will as cold as 10 C. Access to this site is by boat only, launching from Hout Bay harbour. Most charter companies will dive this site during summer when conditions are best.
After entering it is a short swim to the exact position indicated on the map. descend there and a short look around will show you a cave like swimthrough with some awesome sea life including various klipfish and nudibranch. To the right of the indicated area is a large rock which you can follow right around, but do take care of the current on the open ocean side. Here you can see many Cape Knifejaw and the elusive Galjoen which is a sought after fish for anglers. On occasion you may even encounter a playful Cape Clawless Otter or two. Do note that this is within the marine protected area and a permit is required to scuba duve here. Drive through Simons Town along the main road towards Boulders Beach. When you get to the turn off to Boulders on your left carry on for another 1km or so. There is parking available alongside the road where you gear up and then if you look on the map there is a pathway visible leading to the shore. Entry here is tricky and best go with someone who is familiar with this divesite as both entry points are over rocks and not easy to identify. Obviously if you are experienced you could try and enter at any other point you may regard safe, but do check the swell before making your decision.
Elandsbaai Reefs is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in South Africa, Western Cape which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
The Maori (British cargo ship) wrecked on 05th August 1909 in fog after colliding with a rock. Kelp and crayfish are in abundance and the wreck is in fairly good condition. Railway lines still lie in her aft. China and porcelain have been found on the wreck. The wreck is accessed from Hout Bay. Hout Bay is reached along the Penninsula Drive, departing Cape Town towards Sea Point, Stand and passing Llandudno.
The dive site Klein Tafelberg Reef is an offshore rocky reef in the outer Hout Bay area on the Atlantic seaboard of the Cape Peninsula, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa Maximum about is about 35m, and the top of the pinnacle about 14m The site is a huge granite outcrop with big boulders and a sand bottom in the deeper areas. The relief is very rugged and fairly spectacular in good visibility. There are the remains of a small yacht on a ledge part way doewn the north side of the pinnacle, and below that there are other outcrops to the north. It is cold and relatively deep, and a dry suit is recommended. This is a dive site where the use of Nitrox can be worthwhile to extend no-stop time The site is only accessible by boat. It is about 4.5km from Hout Bay Harbour and basically in the the mouth of the bay. A sonar is required to locate the exact spot. The site is exposed to south westerly swells, which can cause a strong surge. Klein Tafelberg Reef is also known as Salad Bowl, Yacht Reef.
Flat sand bottom at about 27m. The ship stands almost level imbedded in the bottom as if floating in sand. The bow points towards approximately 330° magnetic (northwest). Deep scouring at bow and stern, usually to about 28m maximum, depending on the tide. The vessel is is essentially intact and still looks much like when it was afloat. The hull is intact with a few holes cut in it, and the superstructure except for the wheelhouse, and tripod mast are also intact. There is a fairly large rectangular hatch just forward of the superstructure. The gunwale is at about 24m depth, and the boat is about 36m long. Top of the mast is at about 9m depth The Aster is marked on the charts at the same position as the Katsu Maru, but is about 30m to the northeast of the other wreck, and both can be visited on the same dive. Access is possible by boat only. The site is about a 2.2km ride from the harbour jetty. The wreck is in the harbour approaches, and there may be significant boat traffic Use sonar &side scanner for locating wreck
Great experiance... a lot of useful informations. Aquarium with just one non dangerous shark More from the aquarium website: http://www.aquarium.co.za Cape Town Aquarium
This is an interesting dive site and should only taken on by divers who are up to a lengthy surface swim. It is best to dive here when the south easter blows and always keep this in mind as if a south wester blows it could make the surface swim back a difficult task.As with the other dive sites here you will experience very cold water so be prepared. The beauty here is still the kelp forests and I am sure it will be enjoyed by all and you are also more than likely to encounter a seal or more as they love basking in the sun and can often be seen on the large rock. Park in the exact same area as when diving at Justins or sandy Cove. Entry points are also the same although the swim there is a bit further.
Known place for Shark Cage Diving. A Boat from the Harbour. Seal Island is also known as Shark Cage Experience.
Zentacle lists 13 dive shops in Western Cape. The top-rated are Garden Route Scuba (4.9 from 121 reviews) and Pisces Divers (4.8 from 136 reviews).
