Scuba Dive in Cape Town: 2 Dives for certified divers

Cape Town’s best underwater scenery is not all tropical coral. Here, towering kelp forests sway beneath the cold waters of False Bay, with shysharks, octopus, stingrays, seals, and local fish moving through the stems. Two boat trips let you see different sides of this unusual marine world, from reef-covered rock to historic wrecks.

I like the small group of up to eight, which gives you more personal help with gear and a better chance to stay close to the PADI guide. I also like the thoughtful surface break, with hot chocolate, snacks, mountain views, and a fresh tank before the second session. The main drawback is the cold water, and rough conditions can change the route or shorten the day.

Key points

• Two underwater sites in one 6.5-hour outing: Expect a reef, wreck, or kelp site selected according to sea and weather conditions.
• Kelp forests are the main event: Look for catsharks, octopus, stingrays, endemic fish, and perhaps seals from the boat.
• A small Simon’s Town operation: The group is limited to eight, with a PADI Divemaster or Instructor helping with equipment and briefings.
• Cold-water preparation matters: Bring a jacket, swimwear, biodegradable sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for the boat.
• Useful comforts are included: Equipment, air or Nitrox, snacks, refreshments, hot showers, towels, WiFi, and the boat trip are covered.
• Plan for nature’s timetable: The final sites are confirmed two days before departure, since conditions control the schedule.

Simon’s Town is your launch point

You meet at Diveteam’s PADI 5 Star centre at 66 St George’s Street in Simon’s Town. The day begins indoors, which is welcome in a cool coastal climate. You can have tea or coffee in the lounge while the crew reviews the forecast, checks your paperwork, and explains what the day may bring.

This first briefing is more than a formality. Cape Town’s conditions can shift, and the crew uses the latest information to choose suitable sites. You may be headed for a reef, a shipwreck, or the kelp forest, but the final plan depends on what the sea allows.

Your PADI professional helps size your equipment and discuss your preferences. You then assemble the kit with assistance, inspect it, and make sure everything is working before it goes onto the boat. I like this setup because you are not simply handed a pile of gear at the last minute. You have time to ask questions and settle into the equipment.

The centre also has WiFi, hot showers, towels, and a fish identification library. Those details may sound minor before you leave shore, but they matter after several hours in cold water.

The boat ride across False Bay

Once the equipment is packed, you walk to the boat ramp. The skipper gives a separate safety briefing for the vessel before the boat heads toward the selected site.

The ride is part of the appeal. False Bay is framed by mountains, and the view gives you a strong sense of place before you even enter the water. Keep your sunglasses and jacket handy, since the boat can feel cool after the first underwater session. A hat and biodegradable sunscreen are also useful during the surface intervals.

You should be prepared for some motion on the water. One person in the supplied feedback became seasick, and the crew kindly brought affected participants back to shore before continuing. That response suggests the team takes comfort seriously, but you should still consider your own sensitivity to boat movement.

The route can also change. A planned site may become unsuitable, and the crew may select another reef or kelp area instead. This is not a sightseeing cruise with a fixed script. The benefit is safer, more suitable conditions. The tradeoff is that you cannot count on one exact wreck, reef, or animal.

First session: reefs, wrecks, and Cape biodiversity

The first underwater stop is commonly a reef system between Simon’s Town and Cape Point, though a historic shipwreck may be chosen instead. Reefs offer rock formations covered with marine life, while wrecks add a human story and a different structure for fish to use.

The reef sites can be surprisingly colorful. Sea anemones, starfish, corals, and fish create much of the visual interest. One account described a reef covered with starfish and anemones in many colors, while another noted several fish and two stingrays during a session lasting about 30 minutes.

You may also encounter small sharks known as shysharks, which are local catsharks with a reputation for keeping to themselves. They are not the dramatic open-water predators many people imagine when they hear the word shark. Their quiet behavior makes a sighting feel like a reward for paying close attention.

The wreck option adds variety. You should not assume a wreck will be visited on your particular day, but the area has historical wreck sites that can be included when conditions and the plan allow. If you enjoy underwater photography, wrecks and reef overhangs offer strong subjects, though natural light and visibility will affect what you can see.

The guide remains central here. You receive a site briefing before entering the water, and the small group makes it easier to follow the professional’s pace. The underwater session is not meant to be a race. Take time to scan the rock, reef, and kelp edges, where smaller animals can be easy to miss.

The surface break has a practical purpose

After the first session, the boat pauses while you warm up and change tanks. This is your chance to enjoy the mountains around False Bay, have hot chocolate, and eat a snack such as fruit or chocolate. Water is also provided.

The break is especially useful because the water is cold. A short pause helps you regain comfort before the second tank and gives the crew time to prepare the equipment. If you tend to cool down quickly, wear your jacket as soon as you are back on the boat rather than waiting.

There is no lunch included, so do not expect a full meal during the six-and-a-half-hour outing. Snacks and refreshments are supplied, but you should plan your food before or after the activity. This matters if you need regular meals or are used to spending a full day on the water.

Second session: Cape Town’s famous kelp forest

The second site usually focuses on the kelp environment. This is where the outing feels most distinct from warm-water scuba holidays. Instead of drifting over a flat coral garden, you move through tall underwater plants that create corridors, shade, and cover for marine life.

The kelp can make the setting feel almost forest-like, with sunlight filtering through the stems. Look carefully around the bottom and between the plants for octopus, stingrays, catsharks, and endemic fish. You might also see seals from the boat, though an underwater seal encounter is not guaranteed.

The wildlife list is appealing, but you should keep expectations sensible. Animals are wild, and the route is chosen according to conditions. One participant saw a large red fish, attractive corals, and several other fish when the planned site changed. That is a useful reminder that a substitute site can still produce a memorable session.

Visibility may vary, and cold water affects how long you can remain comfortable. The supplied equipment includes air or Nitrox, but you should already hold the required certification and bring your certification card and logbook. This is not an introductory lesson for a non-swimmer or an uncertified person.

Back at the centre: showers, logbooks, and fish identification

After the second session, the boat returns to Simon’s Town and the equipment goes back to the centre. Hot showers and towels are included, which is one of the better practical touches in a cold-water outing.

You can debrief with the guide and sign your logbook. The fish identification books are useful if you saw something unfamiliar, especially a shyshark, endemic fish, or a small creature tucked into the kelp.

On some outings, the guide may take video and share it afterward. Do not treat this as a guaranteed service. A camera option is not included, and the activity specifically excludes camera service, so bring a waterproof camera if recording the day matters to you.

What the $205 price really covers

At $205 per person, this is not a cheap casual water activity. It is a full half-day-plus operation with a boat, two underwater sessions, professional supervision, equipment, air or Nitrox, snacks, refreshments, towels, and hot showers.

The price makes more sense if you would otherwise need to rent every part of the kit separately. It also covers the time involved in checking equipment, loading the boat, briefing the group, changing tanks, and managing two different sites.

Transport to Simon’s Town is not included, and neither is lunch. You need to arrange your own way to 66 St George’s Street. That extra planning is important if you are staying elsewhere in Cape Town.

The small group adds value. With no more than eight people, you get a more manageable briefing and less crowding around the boat and equipment area. For certified divers who want a guided introduction to False Bay rather than an independent shore outing, the package is reasonably balanced.

Cold water and personal preparation

The cold is the most important practical issue. One person described the water as cold even while praising the sites. Bring a jacket for the boat, and expect the temperature to affect your comfort both in and out of the water.

Your packing list should include:

• Sunglasses and a hat
• Swimwear
• A jacket
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• A towel, even though towels are supplied
• A waterproof camera if you want your own images
• Your diving certification
• Your logbook

You must be a certified diver and a swimmer. The activity is not suitable for children under 10, people with heart problems, people with a cold, or anyone who has been underwater within the previous 24 hours.

That last restriction is important if you are building a busy scuba itinerary. Leave at least 24 hours after this activity before flying, based on the stated safety guidance, and do not schedule another underwater session during the prohibited period.

Weather controls the day

The operator confirms the outing two days before departure with an update on conditions. This is a good reason not to place the activity at the very end of a short Cape Town visit. Give yourself some flexibility in case weather requires a change.

A changed site does not automatically mean a poor day. The area has several types of underwater scenery, and the crew may replace a reef with kelp or a planned wreck with another suitable site. Still, if your main goal is one particular shipwreck or a specific animal, you should treat that as a possibility, not a promise.

The free cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging your Cape Town schedule. The starting time varies, so check availability before making transport plans.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this outing if you are already certified, want a guided introduction to False Bay, and enjoy wildlife encounters more than guaranteed photo opportunities. The mix of reef, wreck possibility, and kelp forest gives you a fuller picture of Cape Town’s underwater life than a single short session.

It also suits divers who appreciate support with equipment and site selection. The crew handles the boat operation and gives detailed briefings, while you focus on your certification level and comfort.

You may want another option if you dislike cold water, get seasick easily, need guaranteed access to a particular wreck, or want a full meal and included photography. Non-swimmers and uncertified people should not book this activity.

Should you book the Simon’s Town outing?

Book it if you want cold-water marine life, kelp forests, and small-group guidance in one well-organized day. The highest praise goes to the friendly, helpful crew, the attractive underwater sites, and the care shown when conditions or seasickness affect the plan.

I would book with two expectations: the water will be cold, and nature may change the route. Bring warm clothing, leave room in your schedule, and do not rely on included photos. For a certified diver who accepts those limits, the combination of two sites, professional support, mountain views, and False Bay wildlife makes the $205 price fair.

FAQ

Where does the scuba activity begin?

You meet at the Diveteam Dive Centre at 66 St George’s Street in Simon’s Town.

How long does the activity last?

The full outing lasts about 6.5 hours, including preparation, the boat trip, two underwater sessions, surface time, and the return to the centre.

How many underwater sessions are included?

The package includes two scuba sessions at different sites.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. Dive equipment, air or Nitrox, tanks, a professional guide, and the boat trip are included.

Is a guide included?

Yes. A PADI Divemaster or Instructor leads the activity, assists with equipment, and gives the safety and site briefings.

How large is the group?

The group is limited to eight participants.

Is lunch included?

No. Snacks and refreshments are included, but lunch is not.

Do I need to bring proof of certification?

Yes. You should bring your diving certification and dive log.

Can the sites change?

Yes. The activity is weather dependent, and the final plan is confirmed two days before departure with a conditions update.

Is photography included?

No camera service is included. You may bring a waterproof camera, and video may sometimes be taken by the guide, but this should not be expected as a guaranteed service.