Two Oceans Aquarium

Located at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, the Two Oceans Aquarium Dive School provides a distinctive approach to diving. It operates as a PADI Five-Star centre, serving as a gateway to the complex marine life of the South African coast.

The centre is deeply integrated with the aquarium's mission of conservation and education. This setting allows for unique diving experiences that bridge the gap between classroom learning and the unpredictable nature of the open ocean.

As a PADI Five-Star facility, the school maintains high standards for both training and guided excursions. The team is heavily involved in the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, focusing on the rehabilitation of marine life, such as their dedicated sea turtle conservation work.

The school offers a range of educational opportunities, from basic entry-level courses to specialised conservation training. This commitment to the environment is a core part of their identity, making it a meaningful choice for divers interested in marine biology.

The school offers the complete PADI progression, starting with the Open Water Diver and moving through to the Advanced Open Water Diver certification.

For divers looking to specialise, they offer the PADI Wreck Diver course, which is designed for those wanting to explore wrecks safely at greater depths. They also provide the PADI AWARE Shark Conservation course, catering to those who want to combine their diving with a deeper understanding of marine ecology.

The centre provides a full range of equipment for hire, ensuring you have everything required for both aquarium dives and ocean excursions. This includes wetsuits, regulators, fins, and masks.

For those looking to dive the local wrecks or explore the reefs, the school is well-equipped to support your needs on-site at the Dock Road location.

The aquarium and surrounding waters host a vast array of pelagic and reef species. You can encounter bull sharks, Sand tiger sharks, and various smaller shark species, alongside large schools of Amberjack (Seriola) and spotted grunter. In the kelp forests, the environment is driven by the movement of giant sea bamboo and various indigenous fish species.

Macro life and invertebrates are abundant throughout the exhibits and local sites. Divers can find octopuses, various species of crabs (Brachyura), and diverse jellyfish. The sandy bottoms and reef structures also house many species of invertebrates and crustaceans.

Fixed life provides the essential backdrop for these dives, including various sponges (Porifera), sea anemones (Actiniaria), and cold-water corals. The kelp forest itself is a cornerstone of the local ecosystem, creating a dense, swaying habitat for many smaller species.