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Popular South African Dive Sites
Cape Town is the only city in the world to offer access to two
oceans, and as such has a great deal to offer the keen
snorkeller or scuba diver! There is a tremendous range of diving
to be enjoyed, both in the Atlantic, and the Indian Ocean: from
shipwrecks to reef diving, seals to shark diving, shallow to
deep or technical diving - something for everyone!
Antipolis
The Antipolis is a great shore entry dive site where we take OW1
divers, towards the end of their course, The wreck is shallow
and accessible with the surface visible at all times. You really
get the feeling of being inside the bowels of a shipwreck. There
is also a sunken bull-dozer to see, and many large crayfish
lurking about.
Maori
The Maori, an English steamship weighed 5 317 tons, en route
to to New Zealand with a mixed cargo of explosives, water piping
and crockery and a crew of 55, sank on 4 th August 1909. She
went ashore stern first in the bay which lies between Oude Schip
and Duiker Point. Presumably she had hit one of the many Oude
Schip pinnacles. Three lifeboats got away but they all suffered
mishaps. The fourteen men that remained on board were more
fortunate - all except three were taken ashore by line. In all,
more than thirty lives were lost.A popular dive site with all
divers from novice to the more advanced this dive has much to
offer. The depth ranges from approx 14m - 23 m and is often
diveable when others aren't due to it's natural protection. In
the background is the wreck of the floating crane, the Boss 400,
still waiting to sink properly, and on the sea-bed below it, the
remains of the Oakburn.
Oudekraal
Oudekraal is where we do all our summer course first sea
dives, as it has protected coves, easy beach entries.The well
known and colourful Justin's Caves are here, as well as the
oldest known wreck in SA (Het Huis te Kraaienstein (1670). There
is plenty of marine life to see.
Katsu Maru
An oriental trawler virtually still in tact and easily
accessible. She was sunk in the 1970s in Hout Bay harbour mouth
and lies on a stark sandy bottom on her star board side at a 45
degree angle, at a depth of 27m on deck and 32m on the sand. A
diversity of fish life can be found and colourful sponges and
other invertebrates grow on her - a torch is needed, and because
of her depth this is for the more experienced diver. A new wreck
is due to be sunk right next to her, see "Sinking the Aster" for
the latest details.
Outer Castle and Partridge Point
Outer Castle rocks and Partridge point rocks form two
extremes of a rich reef, in a marine reserve. The opportunities
for underwater photography are endless. and the depths are
suitable for divers at all levels. There are many overhangs and
swim-throughs. In winter raggies are sometimes seen.
Pietermaritzburg
Algerine class ocean minesweeper sunk by the SA Navy on 19
November 1994 for recreational diving purpose supporting an
incredible diversity of growth already! Depth: On the deck 15m
(max. 19m) A new and exiting dive site for all types of divers.
The wreck is very intact with most equipment still intact.
Vulcan Rock
A large and deep pinnacle rising to 5m below the surface
with hard and soft corals, nudibranchs, deep water cowries and
crayfish - often with playful seals and the 'awesome knock of
the rock'! Often visited by large fish, great whites sometimes
sighted.
Smits Wrecks
Five wrecks scuttled by the Navy in the early 1970s to form
an artificial reef ( The SAS Transvaal, SAS Good Hope, Rockeater,
Princess Elizabeth and Oratava. 2 Navy frigates, a diamond
dredger and 2 fishing trawlers). Depth: 24m - 42m. When the viz
is good you can see all five of them!
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