A protective cover for preventing water and debris from entering a pool ladder anchor socket embedded in a pool deck surface, the socket having a hollow sleeve portion, an aperture, a flange surrounding the aperture, and a tightening projection projecting upwardly from the flange, the protective cover comprising a cap and a plug formed of compressible elastic material, the plug is inserted through the aperture to create a watertight seal which protects the sleeve portion, while the cap has a cap recess which is aligned with and encloses the tightening projection, allowing the cap to achieve flush contact with the flange.