Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa
    Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area

    Roman Rock

    Best months: Mar

    Protected Area

    Table Mountain National Park 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 - Roman Rock offers some of Cape Town & Western Cape's richest drift diving. Water ranges 14-16°C, warmest February, March, April.

    Best timeMar
    WetsuitA 7mm wetsuit with a hood
    Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Blue Whales, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales and Great White Sharks · 269+ species recorded
    Water14-16°C · warmest February, March, April
    CharacterDrift dive
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    Roman Rock has always been one of our favourite False Bay dives. It’s a good 20-minute boat ride out, but once you’re down, it’s a whole different world from the kelp forests closer to shore. Dropping to a maximum of 18 metres, you’re greeted by a landscape of large boulders and rocky outcrops, which gradually give way to a coarse, shelly sand bottom. We love the way the light filters through the water here, illuminating the vibrant reds and oranges of the feather stars that cling to the steeper rock faces. You’ll see plenty of sea fans swaying in the gentle surge, and if you look closely, we often find sand slugs making their slow way across the sand. Keep an eye out for curious bellowfish darting among the rocks and the occasional common pipefish blending perfectly with the reef. It’s a great site for divers who appreciate the subtler beauty of a reef, perhaps after a few dives on the classic kelp sites. Visibility can be a bit variable, averaging around six metres, so pick a calm day if you can. It’s a relaxed dive, usually with minimal current, allowing you to really take your time exploring.

    Safety Notes

    Drift dive - carry a surface marker buoy (SMB) and stay with your group. Brief the current direction before entry.

    Cold water this month (avg 15°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.

    Today05:1117:5712h 46m daylightGolden hour 17:23

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Roman Rock

    Roman Rock Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Roman Rock, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-33.92, 18.46) (8km away)

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    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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