 Wreck and coral reef diving
Cape Town has some of the most unique marine biodiversity in the world as a result of the convergence of the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Where the Agulhas and Benguela currents meet of the southern tip of Africa, the relatively large temperature difference within a limited area results in a significant ‘subtraction zone’, in effect an almost impenetrable barrier to the distribution of Eastern and West coast species. Thus, the fishes and other marine life of Southern Africa show a marked difference from the limited numbers of a great many species populating the warmer East Coast waters to the vast shoals of relatively few species of the Atlantic seaboard. Cape Town boasts a variety of magnificent scuba diving activities and sites for all diving preferences and qualifications. Below are just a few of the most preferred sites. Contact us for further alternatives and quotations… Atlantic Dive Sites The Atlantic ocean offers great diving, with visibility often exceeding 15-20m and is mainly dived in summer due to the weather conditions. On a typical Atlantic dive you'll see kelp forests, seals and colourful soft corals. Often dolphins visit the dive sites and if you're lucky, you will encounter the mysterious sunfish. Water temperatures are between 10 and 14 degrees Celsius. A good 5 / 7mm two piece wetsuit is necessary or even a dry suite. We kindly ask that you remove nothing from the wrecks and dive sites. Justin’s Caves This dive starts off with a short swim to a little sandy patch. Once on the bottom we swerve left over a shallow crevice, after which we find the first of Justin’s caves. Entrances are filled with the most beautiful coloured knobbly anemones, goose barnacles and feather worms. At the end of cave one, you reach yet another cave which splits into two other parts, both reaching the same destination. The site when exiting this maze of rock, is absolutely amazing! The underwater realm transfers into a bed of urchins and sea cucumbers! Max Depth 15 meters Shore Dive Wreck of the 'Het Huis te Kraaienstjin' This 1698 Dutch VOC wreck, has barely survived the passage of time. It takes a good look between the kelp, to discover the few cannons, an anchor and some pieces of wood which have survived. Max Depth 12m Boat Dive / Shore Dive The Antipolis Wreck (1977) This 25 000 ton Greek Oil Tanker sank during a storm on 29 July 1977. She was being towed with the Romelia when the cable snapped and they both became victims of the Cape of Storms. Max Depth 12 meters Shore Dive Wrecks of 'Katzu Maru and Aster' The Katz Maru, an Asian trawler which were scuttled in 1972, lies upside down in the shimmering waters off Hout Bay. The Aster, a fishing trawler, that was scuttled in the 1990's, lies up right next to her. Both wrecks are fully in tact and make good training dives. There is a lot of fish and other marine life typical of the Atlantic Ocean on them. Depth Diver 32m at low tide 36m high tide Boat Dive Certification Required Advanced Level Clifton Rocks Definitely one of our most favorite sites! Clifton Rocks gives you the whole Caribbean feeling! With the beach just 100 meters away, big boulders and lots of African sun, it’s a divers dream! This spot gives you CT diving in one. Filled with soft sponge, nudibranch, starfish, crayfish, cape rock grab, anemones and breath taking swim through s, Max Depth 18 meters Boat Dive / Shore Dive Stonehenge A multi level Boat dive to a reef with lot's of life on it. There is a large kelp forest and colourful soft corals, found especially in the shallower parts. This site is often visited by seals and dolphins. Max Depth 25m Boat Dive Diver Certification Required Entry Level Wreck of the 'The Maori' (1909) This 5317 ton steamship sank on 5 August 1909, with a cargo of crockery and water piping. It was on it's way from London to New Zealand, when it sank after striking a rock in thick fog. When Jacques Cousteau visited the site, he declared it the most preserved wreck of it's time. Unfortunately, over the years many people have dived the site and the wreck has suffered, but it is still a worthwhile and rewarding dive. We kindly ask that you remove nothing from this dive site. Max Depth 24m Boat Dive Diver Certification Required Advanced Level Wreck of 'The Oakburn' (1906) On 21 May 1906, the Oakburn, a 3865 ton British Steamer, hit the rocks of Maori Bay during thick fog. She was on a voyage from New York to Sydney carrying a cargo of railway equipment, sewing machines, musical instruments, glassware, oil and paper. The wreck is partly broken up, but there are still sections of the bow and engine that are recognizable. On the site many artifacts are still lying around. We kindly ask that you don't remove them. Max Depth 24m Boat Dive Diver Certification Required Entry Level Vulcan Rock This Boat Dive takes you to a large pinnacle rising up to within 5m of the surface, with a large tunnel at the bottom. It can be tricky dive as there is often a current running. It's a colourful site with many species of invertebrate, crayfish, bay fish and inquisitive seals. Max Depth 5m-40m Boat Dive Diver Certification Required Advanced Level The Steps A great multi level dive on a reef true to it's name. On top of the reef the depth is only about 8m and is covered with a dense . As you swim away from the middle of the reef you encounter a couple of drops (steps). The marine life is extremely colourful and the rock formations spectacular. This site is not very often visited by divers because the site is exposed to big swells easily. We also often encounter seals and dolphins here. Max depth 8m-32m Boat Dive Diver Certification Required  |  
|
