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The rugged South African coastline is littered with ship wrecks, most of which met their fate during winter storms. The the list of ship wrecks is endless and only the best wreck diving diving sites are listed here.
The Cape Peninsula lies at the convergence of the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans. The sealife and scenery is affected by both the cold Agulhas and the warm Benguela Currents.
Cape Town’s Wreck Dives are found on both sides of the Peninsula, in two different oceans with distinct climates, temperatures and dive seasons.
Western Seaboard:
• The Maori (1909)
Location: Between Hout Bay and Llandudno - approximately 75m (250ft) offshore – boat entry
Average depth: 20m (65ft)
Maximum depth: 25m (80ft)
The Maori was a British cargo steam ship of 5317 tons – 175m (580ft) in length. The ship was carrying a cargo of explosives, water piping and crockery from London to New Zealand when it was wrecked on rocks in thick fog on 5 August 1909. 32 lives were lost. The Maori is well preserved for its age – lies in a sheltered bay
• The Oakburn (1906)
Location: Between Hout Bay and Llandudno
– boat entry
Exposed position – a calm day is needed to dive
Average depth: 20m (65ft)
Maximum depth: 25m (80ft)
The Oakburn was a British cargo steamer of 3865 tons that was carrying a cargo of railway lines and equipment, glassware, sewing machines, musical instruments, oil and paper – from New York to Sydney. 2 lives were lost.
The Oakburn gives divers a virtual tour of the working life of sailors in times gon by. She’s broken up but easily recognisable.
• The Boss
The Oakburn lies under the precarious wreck of a giant crane ship - The Boss - so, this is two wreck dives in one. Its just a matter of time before The Boss topples, crushing The Oakburn though, so best check her out soon.
• The Katzmaru (1970s)
Location: Hout Bay
Average depth: 29m (97ft)
Maximum depth: 32m (106ft)
Usually calm – easily accessible – fish and marine life
The Katzmaru is an Oriental trawler – lying on a stark, sandy seabed – virtually intact.
• The Aster
Location: Hout Bay (just north of the Katzmaru)
Maximum depth: approx. 30 m (100ft)
Protected in the bay - a relatively safe but deep dive
The Aster was a lobster catcher - scuttled in April 1977 to form an artificial reef after being thoroughly cleaned out and swimthroughs cut into her.
• Het Huis de Kraaiestein
An easy dive, even for the novice, this wreck lies at seven to ten metres. Accessed from the shore below the Oudekraal Hotel, its a popular dive and a great night dive site in summer. The Kraaiestein was a Dutch East Indiaman built in 1697 that sank on her maiden voyage She’s rather broken up now so part of the enjoyment for divers is to swim through the gullies and outcrops looking for cannons and anchors. As for the treasure she was carrying, the story goes that of the 19 chests of coins three were unaccounted for - its possible that Simon van der Stel or his soldiers made off with them.
Eastern Seaboard:
• SAS Pietermaritzburg (1994)
Location: about 6km (4 miles) past Simon’s Town towards Cape Point
Average depth: 16m (52ft)
Maximum depth: 20m (65ft) on the sand
Scuttled on 12 November 1994 to form an artificial reef – in relatively shallow water. Lies straight up on the sand – in perfect condition – making an interesting and eerie dive. Bought by SA Navy in 1947 – it was formerly the HMS Pelorus and led the D-Day invasion of Normandy in WW II.
It is anticipated that marine life growth on this wreck should be rapid because it lies at a relatively shallow depth. It is in an eerily perfect condition at the moment. Not a penetrative dive but take a torch!
• The Wrecks of Smitswinkel Bay
5 wrecks scuttled to form artificial reefs in 1970s
Location: Approximately 4km (2.5 miles) from Miller’s Point - reached by boat from Kalk Bay, Miller’s Point or Simon’s Bay
Average depth: 35m (115ft)
Maximum depth: 40m (130ft)
Usually calm – in sheltered bay
- SAS Transvaal and SAS Good Hope – former navy frigates
- The Rockeater – a diamond dredger, this wreck lies deep (at 36m) and boasts an abundance of life and colour.
- The Princess Elizabeth and The Oratava – fishing trawlers.
Because of depth – artificial light is needed to see the wonderful colours of the marine life.
More sites:
GARDEN ROUTE
At Knysna on the Garden Route there is one commonly dived wreck - The Paquita - a German iron barque which sank in 1903.
KWAZULU-NATAL
Aliwal Shoal in KwaZulu-Natal has 2 wrecks:
• The Nebo - 25 meters (82ft). This 2000 ton steamship sank on 20th May 1884 just north of the Aliwal Shoal. She was on her maiden voyage from Sunderland to Durban, carrying the Amanzimtoti railway bridge. Although there is no certainty, it was officially reported that she had struck an uncharted pinnacle. There is much doubt about this version of events, especially as the supposed pinnacle has never been reported since. Some experts believe that the weight of the railway bridge upon the deck could have caused her to be capsized by a large wave. There is more credibility to this story, as the Nebo is lying upside down, 28 metres below sea level.
• The Produce (1974), 2 000 ton bulk tanker at 30 meters (100ft). The Norwegian bulk carrier, weighing in at 15000 tons ripped open her hull on Northern Pinnacles on 11th August 1974. The crew made a brave attempt to get to shore, but the ship was irrevocably doomed and sank shortly afterwards. The crew were rescued, and there were no fatalities. The rusted framework now provides an established residence for varied fish species, and makes for very good diving. The bridge of the vessel lies 12 metres under the surface, and the ship lies on a sand bed at approximately 35 metres.
Popular Diving Sites in South Africa:
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