Cow and Calf
Protected Area
Helderberg 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 - Cow and Calf offers some of Cape Town & Western Cape's richest pinnacle diving. Water ranges 14-16°C, warmest February, March, April.
The Cow and Calf site, tucked near the Cape Town shore, offers a shallow exploration of reef ridges and boulders. It’s a comfortable 5-10m dive, ideal for those looking for a relaxed time in the water or perhaps a refresher. We’ve found the gap between the inner and outer ridges to be the most interesting, with its modest depths making for a bright dive, even on a cloudy day. You’ll be navigating between the sheer face of the outer reef and the shallower inner ridge, often finding small critters tucked into crevices. It’s not a thrill-a-minute spot, but it’s an honest, accessible dive if you’re in the area.
Safety Notes
Cold water this month (avg 15°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.
Nearest Dive Centres to Cow and Calf
Dive shops near Cow and Calf
Just Africa Scuba
INDIGO SCUBA
Alpha Dive Centre
Alpha Dive Centre - Strand
Maties Underwater Club
Reef Wetsuits
Reviews for Cow and Calf
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Cow and Calf
Cow and Calf Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Cow and Calf, 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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