Blow Hole - Cape Town & Western Cape

Blow Hole often gets overlooked, labelled as a training site, but that’s a disservice. We love dropping in here for a relaxed dive, especially when the south-easter’s blowing and other sites are a mess. It's a proper Cape Town shallow dive, maxing out around 18 metres on a good day, but most of the action sits around 5-10 metres. You’re pretty much guaranteed to find pyjama sharks tucked into the kelp, sometimes so many you’re counting them on every rock. We often spot shy sharks too, and the odd puffadder shy shark if you’re looking carefully. The sandy patches between the kelp forests are great for critter hunting, and we’ve seen everything from tiny nudibranchs to bigger rays cruising through. The water here usually has that classic Cape green tint, but on a good day, the light filters through the kelp like stained glass. It's an easy boat dive, no tricky entries, making it perfect for shaking off the dust or just enjoying a calm swim through the kelp. While it might be a training ground, we think it’s a brilliant spot for any diver who appreciates the subtle beauty of temperate reefs and a solid shark encounter.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-34.432500, 19.226800

Marine Protected Area: Walker Bay Whale Sanctuary 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 Blow Hole

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 Blow Hole

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