About into The Blue

A PADI 5-Star Dive Centre dedicated to sharing the magic of Cape Town’s underwater world since 2005.

PADI Authorised 5 Star Instructor Development Centre emblem

Passionate About The Ocean

Founded in 2010, Into The Blue started with a simple mission: to share our absolute love for ocean exploration with locals and travellers visiting Cape Town. Today, we are proud to be a premier PADI 5-Star Instructor Development Scuba Dive Centre located in the heart of Sea Point.

We offer PADI-approved training at every single level, from complete beginner Discover Scuba dives to professional Career Development programs. Our highly trained, safety focused staff ensure you receive the finest instruction while experiencing the spectacular kelp forests, playful seals, and historic shipwrecks of the Atlantic and False Bay coasts.

Excellence

Why divers choose Into The Blue

From your first breath underwater to advanced certifications, plus fun dives with seals, wrecks and sharks around the Cape Peninsula.
Small groups, undivided attention

Never more than five divers per instructor. You get noticed.

Equipment that won't fail you

Maintained to standards that exceed what the ocean demands.

Two dive masters on every boat

Safety isn’t negotiable. It’s built into how we operate.

PADI certified and recognized

Train to the highest standard with the most recognized Scuba Qualification in the world.

Meet The Team

Our Diving Experts

Smiling staff member behind the counter of the Into the Blue dive shop
Theo Prinsloo
Dive Center Owner and IDC Staff Instructor
Theo is the founder of Into The Blue Scuba Dive Centre in Cape Town. Instructor-certified since 2007, he’s happiest underwater. Find him in the shop or skippering the boat.
Into the Blue skipper at the helm of a dive boat
Slade Williams
Boat skipper & PADI Specialty Instructor
A Instructor for 8 years and a Boat Skipper for 2 years. Slade loves the ocean from above and below the surface. You will find him driving our boats and finding dolphins, whales, mola mola, penguins and seals with his sharp skipper eyes.
Scuba diver giving a hand signal underwater beside a reef
Max Dinkelacker
PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
2 years of being a PADI Instructor. Max is a wizard when it comes to the animals of the sea. With knowledge in Marine biology, biodiversity and ecology he knows it all so if you are unsure of the aquatic animal you saw while diving Max will be able to help you to find the answer.
Smiling scuba diver hovering in open blue water during a boat dive.
Taryn Leibowitz
PADI Course Director and Boat skipper
With over 8 years’ experience training and guiding dives, Taryn brings a supportive, encouraging style. She’s dedicated to building confident divers who succeed well beyond the course.
Scuba diver giving the OK signal inside a shipwreck
James Hanning
PADI Open water scuba Instructor + Specialty Instructor
Known as “the cuttlefish whisperer,” James holds a Class 2 commercial diver qualification. He loves shy sharks and spends his time sharing the kelp forest’s wonders with everyone.
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Dirk Van Staden
PADI Open water scuba Instructor + Specialty Instructor
Teaching for around 2 years as a PADI Instructor certifying many divers in all levels of certification. Dirk has a patient, kind and througouh teaching style that fits well with all that would like to take the plunge into diving.
Scuba diver giving the OK hand signal in deep blue water
Frederico Strauss
PADI Open water scuba Instructor
A calm, patient instructor always eager to learn and share. Frederico teaches everything from Open Water to Divemaster level, and his pink fins make him easy to spot underwater.
How We Operate

Our Core Values

Safety First

We prioritize redundant safety systems, advanced certified gear, and rigorous briefing methods on every single expedition.

PASSION FOR THE BLUE

Our deep environmental awareness and ecological programs ensure our footprint is minimal and our preservation impact is major.

EXPERT TRAINING

We offer industry-accredited courses under experienced guidance to cultivate real, lasting, autonomous diving confidence.

CONSERVATION MINDED

Working alongside local marine networks to actively survey Atlantic kelp forests and clean up vulnerable coastal sanctuaries.

Our Journey

History and Milestones

2010

FOUNDATION OF INTO THE BLUE

Launched as a specialised private ocean guide service in the heart of Sea Point, showcasing Cape Town's unique underwater kelp ecosystems.

2010
2010

PADI ACCREDITED DIVE CENTER

Established our custom physical shop base with an on-site heated training pool for beginner practice, earning our full PADI status.

2010
2015

CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS

Partnered with regional South African marine groups to introduce kelp forest surveying and ocean cleanup programs as course options.

2015
2020

EXPANSION TO NEW SITES

Acquired secondary deep sea catamaran to explore advanced technical deep wrecks and open up offshore shark conservation dives.

2020
Testimonials

What our divers say

My wife and I had a really great time diving with Into the Blue Cape Town in May. The gear you get is very good, including Scubapro Seawing Nova fins, 7mm wetsuits, gloves, boots, and even an extra vest to wear under the wetsuit. The water was quite cold at around 14°C, and since I normally only dive in tropical waters, I was a bit unsure at first. But with the gear provided, I was absolutely fine for the whole dive. My wife did shiver at the end of dives though. You could stop the dives at any time and one of the dive master would get you to the boat. We had an amazing time in the kelp forest and even saw a pyjama shark. On our first dive at North Paw, we were also lucky enough to see a seal right at the end of the dive, which was a really nice surprise. The whole day was very well organized and the service was excellent. Everyone was friendly, professional, and made us feel comfortable. Unfortunately, we had to leave for the Garden Route the next day, otherwise we would definitely have booked another dive with them. Overall, it was a really great experience, and next time I am in Cape Town, I will for sure dive with Into the Blue again. Highly recommended.
Smiling woman in a dive mask at the ocean surface, half above and half below the water
MK
Into the Blue took our family group of 10 out snorkelling and scuba diving. They were great in accommodating both the snorkellers and divers needs at the same time and keeping everyone happy. They went out of there way to make it such a special day, taking us to different sites and providing snacks and hot drinks after the dive /snorkel. Thank you so much ‘Into the Blue’! What a fantastic day!
Scuba diver with his head above the water in the ocean off Cape Town
Thurl Abrahams
Great experience diving today - double tank dives in the kelp was an incredible experience...especially with the seals! It was cold...so be prepared! But the kit was great quality, the safety briefings were perfect and the diving with James as our dive guide was brilliant. Thank you to the full team...if you are in Cape Town...dive it!
Person in a wetsuit holding a snorkel mask and fins on a boat
Alex James

Ready to dive into Cape Town?

Book a PADI course, fun dive or dive holiday with Into The Blue today.