Cape Town is globally famed for its spectacular wines, breathtaking hikes, and stunning sunsets. Beyond these iconic experiences lies a biodiverse marine environment waiting to be explored. Nestled between the meeting point of the Atlantic Ocean and the warm Indian Ocean currents, Cape Town offers a unique underwater world teeming with rich marine life. From vibrant kelp forests to encounters with diverse marine life, diving and snorkelling here reveal a unique glimpse into two oceans’ convergence.

Scuba Diving in Cape Town

For those eager to blow bubbles underwater and try an exhilarating activity, Cape Town hosts several reputable scuba dive schools that offer courses and guided dives catering to all experience levels. 

Two Oceans Aquarium Scuba School (V &A Waterfront): Comprehensive training and guided dives with easy access to prime dive sites in Cape Town. Dive activities can be boat or shore access at different depths, as well as diving in the aquarium with the raggie sharks or the tropical tanks with turtles. The aquarium offers marine conservation initiatives beyond diving, making your experience more meaningful. 

Dive Team & Pisces Dive Centre (Simon’s Town):  Known for personalized dive experiences exploring wrecks and rich marine habitats, offering both boat and shore dives in local dive spots off of Cape Town and False Bay area.

These dive centres offer both tailored experiences based on your dive level, from dive packages, gear and decades of experience.

Freediving and Snorkelling Experiences

James Kelptown (both Cape Town and False Bay): Renowned Ocean guide, providing a unique experience to explore the kelp forests by snorkelling. James offers an authentic and engaging adventures to various dive spots. 

Cape Town Freediving (both Cape Town and False Bay): Provides structured freediving courses and excursions suitable for all freediving experiences.

African Shark Eco- Charters (Simonstown): An exhilarating snorkel experience offering close encounters with iconic shark species to promote marine conservation.

Best spots to explore (diving and scuba):

Antipolis Wreck (Oudekraal)
The Antipolis is a shallow wreck of an old oil tanker located near Oudekraal on Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard. It lies about 25 meters from shore amidst granite boulders and kelp forests. It offers a unique snorkelling experience over a diverse rocky reef habitat with crayfish, small sharks, and various fish.

A-Frame (5 mins drive outside Simonstown)
A-Frame located near Simon’s Town, is a sheltered bay with calm waters ideal for snorkelling. It features diverse marine life in kelp forests and rocky reefs, multiple swim throughs and making it great for spotting fish, nudibranchs, and occasional seals in a protected environment.

Smitzwinkel Bay (near Cape Point)
Smitzwinkel is a rocky cove known for its clear waters and abundance of marine biodiversity. It provides snorkelers with opportunities to explore vibrant kelp beds and reefs populated by colourful fish species and cow sharks. 

Mouille Point (Cape Town, near the V&A Waterfront)
Mouille Point offers easy access snorkelling along the rocky coastline adjacent to the Cape Town waterfront. The area features tide pools and reefs where snorkelers can observe a variety of fish and invertebrates, making it a convenient spot for an introductory snorkelling experience.

Other marine activities

Cape Town and False Bay offer memorable ocean excursions beyond diving and freediving. Visitors can enjoy boat cruises to spot marine wildlife such as whales, dolphins, and seals.

 

The Hout Bay Seal Island (Duiker Island) cruises are short, family-friendly boat trips from Hout Bay harbour to a nearby island famous for its thriving Cape fur seal colony. 

For whale watching is well covered by Southern Right Charters, offering excursions in Hermanus and False Bay for close encounters with southern right whales during the season. 

Kayaking enthusiasts can explore the coastline with guided tours from Cape Kayak Adventures, which takes paddlers along hidden coves and scenic coastal routes.

For thrill-seekers, shark cage diving adventures in Gansbaai with White Shark Adventures offer safe and exciting encounters with bronze whaler sharks, rounding out the diverse marine experiences available in the region. 

Additionally, eco-tourism boat trips focusing on seabird colonies and marine conservation are available, creating enriching educational experiences along these vibrant coasts.

Written by local marine biologist, Danielle Stanley