1. Cape Town Dive Shop: Into the Blue
Located in downtown Cape Town. Best suited for divers planning a full scuba diving trip who bring their own gear — though those doing just one or two dives without equipment are also welcome.
Located at the downtown Cape Town.
Planning a dive trip with them is recommended.
Boat dive R650 / Shore dive R400 / 10 boat dives R3250 (excluding equipment, scuba tank/cylinder, and permit) Tank R160 / Night dive (shore dive) R400 / Single-month dive permit R45Boat dive R650/ Shore dive R400/ 10 boat dives R3250 Tank R650/ Night dive R400
Shore Dives – a combination of reef, wreck, and kelp forest
Boat Dives – a combination of seals, reef, wreck and kelp forest
Drysuit: Course R3300, includes theory, confined water, and 2 open water dives — equipment rental not included. Drysuit rental R450/day
Drysuit: Course R3300. For rent R450/day
Wetsuit: 7mm sizes are limited. Men's size S is available, but women's size S is not.
Wet suit: 7mm for rent. Only size s for men not women. The size of small Asian women is not friendly.
If a 7mm wetsuit isn't available in your size, the shop can provide a 5mm full-length suit + short suit, hood, booties, and 5mm gloves.
5mm long + short suit, hoodie, boots and gloves can be rent
Gear up by yourself; the shop will handle the rinsing and cleaning.
Gear up by yourself; clean up by the shop
Both email and Facebook Messenger responses are fast and thorough — the team is patient and will do their best to help solve any problems.
I chose this dive shop as it locates in the town so I can uber in.
After the dive, I can still hang around or hike Lion's Head.
Dive into the Blue replies fast and efficiently.
If you're working with a local dive shop, it's recommended to be very specific about what you want to see and your preferences — they'll do their best to cater to each diver's needs.
A request can be communicated.
2. Cape Town Dive Shop: Ollava
Located in Simon's Town. Best suited for those planning only one or two dives and who don't have their own equipment.
Recommend for those who only do few dives during the trip and not having own equipment.
Located in Simon's Town
Dive package: equipment, boat dive, and dive guide fee included
Bronze 1 day R1900 2 dives
Silver 2 day R3250 4 dives
Gold 3 day R4700 6 dives
The Gold package may not always run depending on group size. The most popular option is Bronze, which typically includes a seal dive.
Bronze, Sea lions are the most popular option while Gold may depend on the participant number
Boat dive R1200 / Shore dive R900
Boat dive R1200/ Shore dive R900
Drysuit: Course R3000 / Drysuit rental: not available (though size discussions are possible and they'll try their best to accommodate)
Drysuit: course R3000/ no rent
Wetsuit: Other male divers have typically dived in 7mm wetsuits. However, the shop advised that for my size they would usually provide a 5mm short + 5mm long suit + hood.
No size for Asian women
Response time is fast, mostly via email. Packages are the main offering, which didn't quite fit my itinerary. That said, previous divers who reached out — fellow PTT community members azure27014 and imm — both gave positive reviews.
Response fast with email. Though the package doesn't fit my plan
People who had dive with them do recommend them a lot
3. Cape Town Dive Shop: Aliwalshoal
Located in Durban, which is far from Cape Town. Famous for large schools of sharks.
Locate in Durban which is far away from Cape Town. Famous for a school of sharks
Durban dive sites: Aliwal Shoal, Protea Banks
Offers accommodation. Packages and information are clearly and thoroughly written.
Offers accommodation. Package and information are detailed.
Email replies are fast, detailed, and genuinely helpful. Both the accommodation and the service are exceptionally warm and welcoming. (Recommended by PTT community member imm)
Email replied with fast, plenty of information and happy to help.
Rated highly by my friend.
Information updated in 2017
Information updated in 2017
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