Barrack Rock - Cape Town & Western Cape

Barrack Rock is one of those sites we always make time for when we're in Cape Town. It's a proper pinnacle, rising from 24m, sometimes even deeper on the south side, all the way up to three metres below the surface at low tide. That dramatic profile means you're almost guaranteed action. We love dropping down into the kelp forest at the base, it's a dense, swaying world where shy sharks usually lurk. Then you slowly spiral upwards, and the reef structure just keeps revealing new things. Visibility averages around five metres, which sounds low, but it lends a real atmospheric feel to the dive, especially with the shafts of light pushing through the kelp canopy. We've seen fat schools of mackerel here, sometimes an escolar cruises past, and the common cuttlefish are always putting on a show. Keep an eye out for the small stuff too, the Japanese Pinecone-fish is a real treat if you can spot one tucked away. This site suits divers comfortable with colder water and a bit of a current, but the rewards are always worth it.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-33.029500, 17.945200
Type
pinnacle

Marine Protected Area: Marcus Island Marine Protected Area

Best Time to Dive in Cape Town & Western Cape

The warmest water temperatures in Cape Town & Western Cape occur in January, averaging 18.9°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 18.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 18.9°C (air: 20.8°C)
  • February: 18.9°C (air: 20.7°C)
  • March: 18.9°C (air: 19.5°C)
  • April: 18.9°C (air: 17.3°C)
  • May: 18.9°C (air: 15.8°C)
  • June: 18.9°C (air: 15.0°C)
  • July: 18.9°C (air: 13.2°C)
  • August: 18.9°C (air: 13.2°C)
  • September: 18.9°C (air: 13.9°C)
  • October: 18.9°C (air: 16.5°C)
  • November: 18.9°C (air: 17.8°C)
  • December: 18.9°C (air: 19.3°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Cape Town & Western Cape

Nearest Dive Centres to Barrack Rock

Marine Life in Cape Town & Western Cape

Home to 271 recorded species including 176 reef fish, 45 sharks & rays, 28 whales & dolphins, 5 hard corals, 4 other, 4 octopus & squid.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Barrack Rock

Based on average water temperature of 18.9°C.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 19°C water
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories