Partridge Point - Cape Town & Western Cape

Saporkren village offers an easy shore entry, which we always appreciate after a few days of boat dives. You just wade in, straight onto a fringing reef that starts shallow and slopes down to about 18 meters. We love it for the sheer density of small things. Forget big pelagics here; this site is all about the macro. Visibility hovers around 11 meters, sometimes less, but that’s perfect for settling in and really scrutinising the corals. We’ve spent entire dives just in a five-meter square, finding cowries tucked into crevices, half a dozen different gobies peering out from their holes, and anemonefish fiercely guarding their homes. Keep an eye out for pygmy seahorses on the gorgonians if you have a good guide, they’re tricky to spot but often present. It’s a photographer’s dream, particularly for those with a macro lens, and a genuinely relaxing dive for anyone who prefers a slow pace and a treasure hunt.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-34.255600, 18.481500
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 Partridge Point

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 Partridge Point

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