Two Oceans Aquarium - Cape Town & Western Cape

The team at Two Oceans Aquarium are, without a doubt, a fantastic entry point for anyone looking to get PADI certified in Cape Town. We love that their training tanks range from the small kelp forest exhibit, where you can get comfortable with the sway and flow, right up to the sheer scale of the I&J Ocean Exhibit. That big tank is our favourite for a reason. Imagine a tunnel, 10 meters long, sunlight filtering down, and then you’re in it. There’s a quiet hum of the filtration system, a gentle surge, and you’re suddenly sharing space with ragged-tooth sharks gliding past, their skin rough if you could touch it, and huge rays ghosting by, almost brushing your fins. It’s an environment that makes you feel incredibly small and connected, all at once. For a first-timer, or someone getting back into it, this is ideal. You’re in controlled conditions, but with genuine big animals – an experience that usually takes dozens of open water dives to achieve. Our advice? Try to book your open water dives on a weekday if possible; it tends to be a bit quieter in the tanks, giving you more room to simply absorb the experience. They specialise in PADI courses, and their IDC status means you’re learning from instructors at the top of their game. It’s a solid, unique choice for anyone diving in Cape Town.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-33.907850, 18.417600
Phone
+27 21 418 3823
Email
[email protected]
Website
https://www.aquarium.co.za/experiences/dive-school
Certification Agencies
["PADI"]
Courses
PADI 5 Star IDC [padi:28167]
Address
Dock Road, Victora Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa

Diving Capabilities - Two Oceans Aquarium

  • Freediving

Dive Sites Near Two Oceans Aquarium

Two Oceans Aquarium provides access to 15 dive sites in Cape Town & Western Cape.

Other Dive Centres in Cape Town & Western Cape

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)

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 Marine Life

Recommended Packing List for Cape Town & Western Cape

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