Boulders Beach
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.
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.
Nearest Dive Centres to Boulders Beach
Dive shops near Boulders Beach
Ollava
Pisces Divers
Cape Town Dive Centre
Learn to Dive Today
Scuba Shack
Blue Flash
Reviews for Boulders Beach
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)
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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