Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa
    Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area

    Boulders Beach

    Best months: Mar

    Protected Area

    Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area

    Why dive here

    With 269+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, blue whales, dolphins, dwarf minke whales and great white sharks - Boulders Beach offers some of Cape Town & Western Cape's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 14-16°C, warmest February, March, April.

    Best timeMar
    WetsuitA 7mm wetsuit with a hood
    Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Blue Whales, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales and Great White Sharks · 269+ species recorded
    Water14-16°C · warmest February, March, April
    CharacterWreck dive
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    Boulders Beach, yes, *that* Boulders Beach with the penguins, is way more than just a surface-level cute photo op. We love diving here because it’s a brilliant introduction to the Cape’s chilly kelp forests without the usual bone-chilling conditions or tricky entry. You’re pretty much guaranteed to share the water with some curious African Penguins, which is an immediate win. But look closer. The kelp itself forms these incredible, swaying cathedrals, light filtering through the fronds in a way that’s just magical. We've often found pyjama catsharks tucked away in the shadows, their striped bodies perfectly camouflaged. Keep an eye out for the colourful nudibranchs crawling along the rocks, too – they pop against the greens and browns. The maximum depth barely scrapes 9 metres, so it’s wonderfully relaxed, making it our pick for an easy afternoon dive or a skill refresh. Visibility here averages around 6 metres, which, for a kelp forest, is perfectly good. It’s an easy shore entry, just walk in, and you’re immediately immersed. We'd suggest going on a calmer day, though, to avoid too much surge.

    Safety Notes

    Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

    Cold water this month (avg 15°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.

    Today05:1117:5712h 46m daylightGolden hour 17:23

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Boulders Beach

    Boulders Beach Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Boulders Beach, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-33.92, 18.46) (8km away)

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    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    15°C

    59°F · Range: 12.4–17.2°C

    Air Temperature

    17°C

    62°F

    Wind Speed

    7.33 m/s

    14.2 knots

    Atmospheric Pressure

    1018.1 hPa

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data

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