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

    Windmill Beach

    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 - Windmill Beach offers some of Cape Town & Western Cape's richest 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
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    Windmill Beach is one of those places that, on paper, sounds a bit... tame. Max depth 8m, a sandy bottom. But trust us, it punches well above its weight. We love it for an easy Sunday morning dive, especially when the southeaster is blowing. The entry is a breeze, just a gentle slope into a protected cove, making it ideal for shaking off the rust or introducing new divers to the Cape's unique waters. Once you fin out a little, the magic starts. That sandy bottom isn't barren; it's a bustling neighbourhood for a fascinating cast of characters. We've spent entire dives just watching the intricate dance of common brittlestars or spotting those perfectly camouflaged snakefish twitching in the sand. Look closely for double-ended pipefish mimicking blades of seagrass. The visibility averages 6m, which means you’re often diving in a soft, emerald light, giving everything a slightly mystical feel. Don’t expect dramatic drop-offs; instead, this is about the small, intricate wonders. It's a superb site for macro photographers and anyone who appreciates slowing down and truly observing.

    Safety Notes

    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 Windmill Beach

    Windmill Beach Ocean Conditions

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

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    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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