Clifton Rocks - Cape Town & Western Cape

Clifton Rocks gives you a different kind of dive for the Cape. It’s a granite boulder field, massive rocks rising from a sandy bottom, forming a maze of crevices, overhangs, and swim-throughs. The boulders are undercut, creating shadows and narrow gaps that are fun to explore. You’ll weave your way through, watching the light play on the rock faces, and looking out for whatever small stuff has settled in the cracks. It's a site best suited for divers who enjoy a bit of navigation and aren't bothered by surge, which can get lively in the shallower areas.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-33.939100, 18.370367
Type
cave

Marine Protected Area: Duikerklip Provincial Nature Reserve

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 Clifton Rocks

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 Clifton Rocks

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical depth for diving at Clifton Rocks?
While the typical depth for Clifton Rocks is officially listed as unknown, the site description indicates that the granite boulders rise from approximately 10 meters deep. Divers can explore these impressive formations, which extend upwards, with some even reaching 5 or more meters above the water's surface.
What kind of marine life and underwater topography can divers expect to see at Clifton Rocks?
At Clifton Rocks, divers will encounter a unique underwater topography characterized by large granite corestone boulders and granite outcrops. This intricate environment features deep crevices, overhangs, several smallish swim-throughs, and a few fairly narrow gaps. While specific marine life is not detailed, the varied rock formations and sandy bottom to the north provide diverse habitats for general marine life.
How difficult is the Clifton Rocks dive site, and what skill level is recommended?
The Clifton Rocks dive site is classified as having an intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for divers with some experience. Divers should be prepared for potentially strong surge, especially within the narrow gaps and where the rocks become denser and shallower to the south.
What is the best time of year or conditions to dive at Clifton Rocks?
The provided information does not specify the best time of year or ideal conditions for diving at Clifton Rocks. However, divers should be mindful that surge can be strong at times, particularly in the narrow gaps and where the rocks become denser and shallower to the south. It is always advisable to check current local conditions before planning your dive, and you can find general guidance on when to dive on DivePlnr.
Are there any specific certifications or permits required to dive at Clifton Rocks?
The available data does not specify any particular certifications or permits required to dive at Clifton Rocks. As an intermediate dive site, a standard open water certification is typically expected, but it is always recommended to verify any specific local requirements with dive operators in Cape Town & Western Cape.
What are the typical current and swell conditions like for diving at Clifton Rocks?
For diving at Clifton Rocks, divers should anticipate that surge can be strong at times, especially within the narrow gaps between the granite boulders. Furthermore, to the south, where the jumble of rocks gets denser and shallower, surge and breaking waves can be quite impressive, indicating potentially challenging current and swell conditions.