Adventurers Dive Log: Scuba Diving in South Africa
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Scuba Diving in South Africa
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. Presumerably 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 & PARTRIGE 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!
FALSE BAY REEFS
In addition, there are many beautiful reefs in False Bay: Caravan Reef; Roman Rock; Batsata Rock; Partridge Point; Whittle Rock; Outer Castle and Boat Rock. These are not accessible as shore dives.
For Information contact:Charles Maxwell
South Africa
Adventurers Dive Log