South Africa water temperature for diving ranges from bracing to comfortable, and the difference can be dramatic over short distances. The cold Benguela Current runs up the Atlantic west coast, while the warm Agulhas Current flows down the east coast from the tropics. Cape Town sits near the meeting point, which is why the water on the Atlantic side of the peninsula can be several degrees colder than in False Bay, only a short drive away.
The figures below are typical ranges through the year. They are not promises: wind-driven upwelling can drop the temperature by up to about 10 °C in a day, and temperatures at depth are often colder than at the surface. Ask your dive centre for the latest reading.
Typical water temperatures by region
| Region | Typical range | What most divers wear |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic seaboard (Cape Town) | 10–14 °C | 7 mm with hood and gloves, or drysuit |
| False Bay | 12–19 °C | 7 mm with hood; drysuit popular |
| Gansbaai | 12–18 °C | Supplied thick wetsuit for the cage |
| Mossel Bay | 15–22 °C | 5–7 mm, hood in winter |
| Tsitsikamma | 10–21 °C | 7 mm with hood (upwelling) |
| Gqeberha and Algoa Bay | 15–22 °C | 5 mm; 7 mm in winter |
| KwaZulu-Natal (for comparison) | 20–27 °C | 3–5 mm |
Choosing your exposure protection
7 mm wetsuit
The standard choice for the Cape. Pair it with a separate 5 to 7 mm hood, gloves and booties. A two-piece suit or a hooded vest adds warmth for little cost.
Semi-dry suit
A thick wetsuit with tight seals at the wrists, ankles and neck, so less water flushes through. A good step up if you get cold easily.
Drysuit
Many Cape locals dive dry for comfort on repeated and longer dives. Only dive a drysuit if you are trained to use one.
5 mm wetsuit
Fine for much of the year in Mossel Bay and Algoa Bay, but keep a hood handy for upwelling days.
Staying warm before and after the dive
Cold divers make mistakes, so warmth is a safety issue as well as a comfort one. On boats, the wind chill after a dive can be worse than the water. Bring a windproof boat jacket or a thick towelling robe, a beanie, and a flask of something hot. Change out of a wet suit between dives if you can, and eat and drink well; dehydration and fatigue both make you feel the cold more.
Thick suits are buoyant, so you will need more weight than you are used to. Do a proper weight check at the start of your trip, and recheck it if you change suits. Gloves reduce dexterity, so practise reaching your inflator, dump valves and alternate air source before you descend.
Renting or bringing gear
Dive centres along the coast rent wetsuits, hoods and booties, and most will help you choose the right thickness for the season. Bring your own mask if you have one that fits well, and consider your own hood and gloves too, since fit matters most there. If you get cold easily, ask whether a semi-dry or a second layer is available.
Where to go for warmer water
If you want the warmest water in this guide, head east to Mossel Bay or Gqeberha scuba diving in Algoa Bay. For the full cold-water kelp experience, nothing beats False Bay kelp forest diving. Water temperatures and wind change with the seasons, so read the best time to dive in South Africa before you pack. If you are new to cold water, a course in local conditions helps; see learn to dive in South Africa.
Questions divers ask
How cold is the water in Cape Town for diving?
On the Atlantic side it is usually about 10 to 14 °C. False Bay is warmer, roughly 12 to 19 °C depending on the season.
Is a 5 mm wetsuit enough for South Africa?
For Mossel Bay and Algoa Bay for much of the year, yes, with a hood on cold days. Around Cape Town most divers use 7 mm or a drysuit.
What is upwelling?
When winds push warm surface water offshore, cold water from the deep rises to replace it. Temperatures can fall by up to about 10 °C within a day.
