Castle Rock Cape Town - Cape Town & Western Cape

Fox Cove, out in the northern reaches of the fiord, offers a completely different vibe from some of the deeper, darker walls. We love it for the sheer variety of life you’ll spot in relatively shallow water, around 10 to 18 metres. It’s a rocky reef sloping down to sand, draped in thick kelp. We've often found cowfish weaving through the stalks, and the colourful butterfly perch flit about like, well, butterflies. Look closely and you’ll find giant eleven-armed seastars clinging to rocks and the strange sea potatoes dotting the sand. We’d always suggest this site for those days when the inner fiord feels a bit too... enclosed. It’s exposed to north and northwest winds, so pick a calm day or one with a southerly breeze. Visibility usually sits around 10 metres, but sometimes it just pops. Keep an eye out for the red rock lobsters tucked into crevices. It’s a great spot for an easy, relaxed dive, full of smaller critters and vibrant colours you might miss elsewhere.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-34.240700, 18.477700
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Table Mountain National Park 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 Castle Rock Cape Town

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 Castle Rock Cape Town

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