Pro Tip: The best time to dive in Simon's Town is during the winter months and when the north-west winds are blowing. However, that doesn’t mean summer diving is off the table—there are still plenty of opportunities to explore these waters all year round.
Let’s face it – not all dive articles get it right. Recently, we came across a blog post from a popular hotel chain titled "Top 5 Dives in Cape Town," and it caused a bit of an uproar in the diving community. Funny comments flooded WhatsApp and Facebook groups, poking fun at the chosen dive sites, which either weren't great or were undivable.
The kicker? It was pretty clear that the author had never dived in Cape Town—or even dived at all! It looked like an attempt to grab SEO traffic and lure people into booking rooms, with zero regard for diving accuracy. Some even joked that it might have been AI-generated. Fact-checking? Nonexistent.
So, we decided to set the record straight with our own top 5 dive sites in Cape Town. This is part one of a two-part series, where we'll take you on a tour of Cape Town’s best shore and boat dives, starting with the iconic Simon's Town.
Shore Dives in Simon's Town
1. Windmill Beach
Depth: 8–10m | Suitable for Scuba and Freediving
Windmill Beach is a Cape Town classic. This spot offers an easy entry and exit with a clear, straightforward dive route, making it perfect for both training and recreational dives. Maxing out at around 10 meters, this site was one of the key filming locations for My Octopus Teacher, showcasing its calm waters and diverse marine life. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned diver, this place will never let you down.
2. A-Frame
Depth: 8–10m | Suitable for Scuba and Freediving
Looking to swim through towering kelp forests and dart through exciting swim-throughs? A-Frame is the spot for you. The underwater terrain here isn’t just about kelp; during summer, you'll often spot eagle rays and short-tail stingrays gliding over the sandy patches. While it's an easy dive in the right conditions, be cautious when the Southeast winds pick up, as waves can break over the rocks.
3. Pyramid / Millers Point
Depth: 12m | Suitable for Scuba and Freediving
Though we haven’t seen sevengill cow sharks here in years (they’ve been elusive since 2016), Pyramid is still a top-notch dive. It’s a relatively easy shore dive, but you'll need good navigational skills—otherwise, you might find yourself swimming far longer than you bargained for! This site offers calm waters and a chance to explore kelp forests full of marine life, even without the presence of the once-famous cow sharks.
4. Clan Stuart
Depth: 9m | Suitable for Scuba and Freediving
If you're into wreck diving, Clan Stuart is a must. This shipwreck, sunk in 1914, rests at a manageable depth of 9 meters, making it accessible to both scuba and freedivers. Keep an eye on the swell though—this exposed site has been known to swallow a few diving masks! It’s a historical wreck with a unique story, offering an underwater adventure that’s perfect when the seas are calm.
5. Castle Rocks
Depth: Varies | Best for Freediving
Ready for a challenge? Castle Rocks is one of Cape Town’s premier kelp forest dives and is often hailed as the top freediving spot in Simon's Town. Though scuba divers are welcome, getting your gear down the hill is no easy feat. But if you’re fit and up for an adventure, this spot will reward you with one of the most picturesque dives Cape Town has to offer. It's well worth the trek.
Book your next shore dive with us here.
Boat Dives in Simon's Town
1. Roman Rock Lighthouse
Depth: 7–25m | Suitable for Scuba and Freediving
Sitting just outside Simon's Town Harbour, Roman Rock Lighthouse hides one of the area’s most vibrant reef systems beneath its iconic structure. Offering a variety of depths, this site is perfect for divers of all levels. Freedivers will enjoy the shallow sections, while scuba divers can explore down to 25 meters, where marine life flourishes. No trip to Simon's Town is complete without a dive here.
2. SAS Pietermaritzburg
Depth: 16–20m | Best for Scuba Diving
One of Cape Town’s most famous wrecks, the SAS Pietermaritzburg (PMB) has a fascinating history. As an A-Class minesweeper she was one of the leading ships that cleared the way for the D-Day landings during World War II and now rests at a maximum depth of 20 meters. The PMB is ideal for first-time wreck divers or those completing their open water training dives. Exploring this piece of history is both a thrill and an honor.
3. Whittle Rock
Depth: 5–40m | Best for Scuba Diving
Whittle Rock is False Bay's hidden gem. Covering a vast area, this reef offers something for everyone, from beginner to advanced divers. Its depths range from a shallow 5 meters to a thrilling 40 meters. The reef is dotted with ancient anchors, some dating back to the 1700s, adding a historical twist to your dive. Due to its distance from shore, this site is rarely dived, making it one of the most pristine underwater environments you’ll encounter.
4. Batsata
Depth: Surface–30m | Suitable for Scuba and Freediving
Batsata Rocks is just beyond Smitswinkel Bay and offers a great combination of depth and swim-throughs. Freedivers and scuba divers alike will appreciate the unique rock formations and thriving marine life. This spot is perfect for those looking to explore a lesser-known, unspoiled site.
5. Smitswinkel Bay Wrecks
Depth: 25–33m | Best for Advanced Scuba Diving
If you’re an advanced diver with Nitrox certification, the Smitswinkel Bay wrecks are calling your name. Five shipwrecks, Princess Elizabeth, Traansvaal, Good Hope, Rockeater and Orotava, were deliberately sunk in the 1970s as artificial reefs, and today they’re teeming with life. Sitting between 25 and 33 meters, these wrecks are covered in soft corals and make for an unforgettable dive—but only for the experienced.
Book your next boat dive with us here.
This list is by no means a full representation of all the amazing dive sites in False Bay—it’s just a taste of some of our favorite spots. There are countless other dive sites waiting to be explored, some of which may offer equally or even more incredible experiences.
Ready to explore Simon's Town like a pro? These are the real must-dive sites, not the fluff that some SEO-focused articles will tell you. Keep an eye out for parts two of this series, where we’ll dive deeper into Cape Town’s other diving hot spots—next up, the Atlantic Seaboard!
Stay adventurous, and dive safely.
