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A rocksucker, a type of clingfish, suctioned to a rock in the kelp forest
 

For many years, Cape Town has attracted divers and ocean lovers with its dramatic coastline, rich marine life, and colorful underwater landscapes. While it was once most famous for its great white sharks, its photographic story has evolved—and in many ways, that’s been a gift for underwater photographers. The real treasure lies beneath the surface, where False Bay offers two distinct diving experiences depending on the season and wind direction—each with its own photographic opportunities.

West Side Wonders: Winter Diving in Simon’s Town

Between May and October, the western side of False Bay, especially around Simon’s Town, becomes a photographer’s playground. The northwesterly winds bring calm seas and good visibility, revealing towering kelp forests, playful seals, and endemic creatures like the various shy sharks. The light can be magical, streaming through the kelp fronds and illuminating the reef below for breathtaking wide-angle images. Home of the movie My Octopus Teacher, many of the dive sites here are sheltered and accessible, making it easy to slow down and focus on both creative compositions and subject behavior. The textures and topography in these forests lend themselves beautifully to storytelling images.

Eastern Surprises: Summer Color in Gordon’s Bay

From November to April, the southeasterly winds shift conditions and open up the eastern side of the bay—and this is where Cape Town truly shines. Gordon’s Bay is often overlooked, even by local divers, but those who venture here are rewarded with wild, vibrant reefs, unique kelp forests and abundant macro life. The reefs are alive with pink, orange and purple sponges, soft corals, and sea fans—a backdrop that makes even the most camouflaged critters stand out. Swim-throughs, overhangs and deep gullies create natural framing opportunities, whether you’re shooting wide or going in close. There’s an incredible range of marine life here: from photogenic nudibranchs and elusive fish species to small sharks and intriguing rock dwellers. As an added bonus, because there are fewer divers, the animals tend to be more relaxed, giving you a better chance to capture those natural, character-filled moments.

Offshore Encounters: Blue Sharks off Cape Point

For those looking to add something truly special to their portfolio, the deep waters off Cape Point offer the chance to photograph sleek, inquisitive blue sharks and even the occasional mako shark. This is where the Agulhas Current swings in closer to land, bringing warmer waters and pelagic visitors closer to shore—a rare opportunity for photographers wanting something a little different.

Year-Round Potential, Untapped Possibilities

False Bay’s two coastlines mean there’s always somewhere to dive, no matter the time of year or the wind direction. Each side offers a different feel and a different kind of topography, and for photographers, that means more opportunities to explore, practice, and refine your craft.

If you’re looking for something beyond the usual dive destinations—a place where you can shoot both macro and wide angle, work on new techniques, and be surprised on every dive, Cape Town might be just what you’re after. And if you find yourself underwater in Gordon’s Bay with your camera in hand, don’t be surprised if you leave with more than great photos. This place has a way of capturing your heart, too.
 

A beautiful little amphipod peers out from the center of a dorid egg cluster
 

A fantastically patterned basket star clutching tightly to a gorgonian
 

A large nudibranch species preparing to chow down on a prey item
 

While known for its kelp forests and great whites, offshore Cape Town is home to a number of shark species, including the beautiful blue shark
 

An aptly-named blue speckled klipfish resting in a mussel garden
 

A tiny but beautiful “candy” nudibranch traverses a skeleton shrimp covered substrate
 

This Cape dorid sure makes a compelling case for nudibranchs and sea slugs being called cute!
 

A curious octopus peeks around a clump of algae—to get a better look at the photographer?
 

A speckled klipfish seems curious about the camera, as it looks out from the darkness
 

Coral reefs often get all the attention for their riotous colors but the temperate waters around Cape Town can rival any reef!
 

An iconic South African nudi, the blue and yellow gasflame nudibranch
 

A comically cute horned blenny looks shocked to have been captured on camera
 

Cape Town's diverse underwater ecosystems include seagrass meadows, perfect for longsnout pipefish
 

The aptly-named mosaic pleurobranch up close; certain species in this genus can reach massive sizes
 

A rocksucker looks downright fed up to have had his picture taken
 

A spectacular orange sea fan stands tall and proud in the temperate waters off Cape Town
 

A beautifully colored and patterned speckled klipfish warily eyes the camera from the safety of a sponge
 

Several klipfish species make their home in the waters around Cape Town, including this super klipfish
 

This gasflame nudibranch is perched on a clutch of eggs—either laying or feasting
 

Kate Jonker is an ocean explorer, underwater photographer, and storyteller from Cape Town, South Africa. As co-owner of Indigo Scuba Diving Centre in Gordon’s Bay, and owner of Underwater Photo Company, Kate leads unforgettable dive experiences and offers personalized photography coaching. Her role as a Senior Ambassador for Marelux allows her to contribute to the underwater photography community, where she continues to inspire others to explore, appreciate, and protect the ocean’s remarkable beauty. To see more of her work, head over to her website, www.katejonker.com, or give her a follow on Instagram.