Cape Town
Image generated by artificial intelligence
Why dive in Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard?
BEST SEASON
Featured Animals 5
- Unlikely
- Likely
- Very likely
Nocturnal Frequent sightingsBlue Shark
Prionace glauca
The Blue Shark (Prionace glauca) is a highly migratory, oceanic requiem shark distinguished by its slender body, deep blue dorsal coloration, and long, narrow pectoral fins. It primarily feeds on cephalopods and pelagic fish but is an opportunistic predator and scavenger. This species undertakes extensive migrations and often segregates by age and sex.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsBroadnose Sevengill Shark
Notorynchus cepedianus
The Broadnose Sevengill Shark is notable for having seven gill slits, unlike most sharks which have five. It is a large, strong species that inhabits coastal and offshore waters. This shark is known to be opportunistic, feeding on a variety of prey including fish and marine mammals.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsCape Fur Seal
Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus
The Cape Fur Seal is a large marine mammal known for its thick fur and external ear flaps. They are highly social animals, often found in large groups along coastlines and islands in southern Africa.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsFur Seals
Arctocephalinae
Arctocephalinae is a subfamily of pinnipeds known as fur seals, characterized by their dense underfur, external ear flaps, and ability to rotate their hind flippers forward for terrestrial locomotion. They are marine predators, primarily feeding on fish, squid, and krill. Fur seals exhibit strong sexual dimorphism and are highly social, forming large breeding colonies on rocky coastlines and beaches, though their conservation status varies widely among the nine species within the subfamily.
BEST SEASON
Cathemeral Frequent sightingsGreat White Shark
Carcharodon carcharias
The Great White Shark is the largest known predatory fish, characterized by its torpedo-shaped body, conical snout, and large, serrated triangular teeth. It is an apex predator found in temperate and tropical waters worldwide, playing a crucial role in marine ecosystems. This species exhibits regional endothermy, allowing it to maintain a body temperature higher than the surrounding water, which aids in its active predatory lifestyle.
BEST SEASON
More marine life 9
Bryde's WhaleBalaenoptera edeni
Cape Rock LobsterJasus lalandii
Common Eagle RayMyliobatis aquila
Common OctopusOctopus vulgaris
Humpback WhaleMegaptera novaeangliae
Ocean SunfishMola mola
Short-tail StingrayBathytoshia brevicaudata
Southern Right WhaleEubalaena australis
Striped CatsharkPoroderma africanum
Where is Cape Town
Atlantic Ocean · South Africa
Frequently asked questions about Cape Town
When is the best time to dive in Cape Town?
The best time to dive in Cape Town is from November to March. In those months the water is between 10°C and 13°C.
What marine life can you see diving in Cape Town?
Divers can encounter 14 species in Cape Town. Highlights include Blue Shark, Broadnose Sevengill Shark, Cape Fur Seal, Fur Seals, and Great White Shark.
When can you see the Blue Shark in Cape Town?
The Blue Shark is most often seen in Cape Town from November to May.
When can you see the Broadnose Sevengill Shark in Cape Town?
The Broadnose Sevengill Shark is most often seen in Cape Town from November to April.
When can you see the Great White Shark in Cape Town?
The Great White Shark is most often seen in Cape Town from May to September.
What is the water temperature in Cape Town?
Water temperature in Cape Town ranges from 10°C in January to 14°C in April.
What wetsuit do I need to dive in Cape Town?
With the water between 10°C and 14°C, a 7 mm semi-dry or a drysuit is usually enough all year round.
What is the visibility like when diving in Cape Town?
Visibility in Cape Town ranges from 3 m to 20 m. The water is clearest from December to February.
What are the currents like in Cape Town?
Divers in Cape Town can expect light, strong, moderate, or very strong currents, depending on the month and the dive site.
What can you see on a night dive in Cape Town?
After dark, Cape Town reveals nocturnal species such as Blue Shark, Cape Rock Lobster, Common Octopus, Short-tail Stingray, and Striped Catshark.
Where is Cape Town located?
Cape Town is a dive destination in South Africa, in the Atlantic Ocean.
Every answer is built from the conditions and sightings data we keep for Cape Town. Spotted something that looks off?
Tell us