The diving in the Western Cape and around Cape Town is some of the most exciting in the world. It certainly is one of the top 5 places to cage dive with great white sharks, but the underwater environment also offers much more than tremendous sharks.
Western Cape’s diving can generally be divided into three major areas: False Bay, the south coast and the Atlantic seaboard. Here divers will find four distinct habitats, namely rocky shores, reefs, kelp forests and sandy bottoms.
There are also a myriad of wrecks on both sides of the peninsula. You can expect colder waters and heavier currents on the western side which hosts a relatively small shelf before dropping into extremely deep waters. In False Bay to the east, current is minimal and the waters are warmer, attracting many species.
Scuba diving in the Western Cape province of South Africa is possible year-round. Expect cooler temperatures during the winter season (June-August). However, the southern coast is much calmer and more accessible during these cooler months. On the other hand, the Atlantic coast becomes inaccessible during the winter months.
As a rule of thumb, the season in which you visit will determine where you dive. Water temperatures average between 55 and 63°F (13 and 17°C).
If you are looking for a thrill and the possibility of seeing something big, then diving in Western Cape is the right choice for you.
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