

Best for beginner divers, 6-10m, shore entry, mild current.
Buffels Bay, located within Table Mountain National Park, features a shallow reef and kelp forest suitable for beginner divers. The site offers depths between 6 and 10 metres with visibility ranging from 5 to 10 metres. Divers can encounter various marine life, including sea stars, snails, klipfish, crabs, and common octopuses. Occasionally, northern elephant seals, long-nosed fur seals, puffadder shysharks, bluebottles, and mauve stingers are recorded. Entry is from the shore, requiring careful timing to navigate the surf. Due to cold water temperatures between 15 and 19 degrees Celsius, a 5mm to 7mm wetsuit or drysuit is recommended. Divers should remain aware of boat traffic and local surf conditions.
-34.31912, 18.46232
Do not park on the helipad as you will get fined; park on the grass next to the day-camp area.
Enter Cape Point, follow the road past the visitor centre, take the second turnoff labeled Buffelsbaai, and keep right to the helipad area.
Recorded at this site
Depth
6-10m
Visibility
5-10m
Skill Level
Beginner
Entry
Shore
Water Temp
15-19°C
Current
Mild
Typical Dive
45 min
Best Time
Jun, Jul, Aug
Divers frequently record sea stars and snails. Other species observed include klipfish, crabs, common octopuses, puffadder shysharks, bluebottles, and mauve stingers. Northern elephant seals and long-nosed fur seals are also occasionally seen.
Yes, the site is suitable for beginners due to its shallow depths of 6 to 10 metres and mild currents.
The site has an average depth of 8 metres, with a range between 6 and 10 metres.
Buffels Bay is a shore dive. Divers should observe the shore break from the beach before entering the water.
Yes, the shallow reef and kelp forest environment are suitable for snorkelling, provided you are comfortable with the local surf and water temperatures.
Diving at Buffels Bay in Cape Town requires the following certifications: Open Water. Always dive within your training limits.
A 7mm wetsuit or semi-dry is recommended for diving at Buffels Bay in Cape Town. Water temperatures range from 15°C to 19°C.
The best months to visit Buffels Bay in Cape Town are June, July, and August. Conditions outside these months can still be good but are less predictable.
Buffels Bay in Cape Town typically has mild currents that most divers can handle comfortably.
Visibility at Buffels Bay in Cape Town typically ranges from 5 metres to 10 metres. Conditions vary with weather, tides, and seasons.