Dive-site story
Resting directly off Simon's Town in the sheltered corner of False Bay, the remnants of this historic Dutch warship lie scattered across a sandy sea floor. The vessel was scuttled and burnt by its crew in early 1806 during the Battle of Blaauwberg to avoid capture by the British fleet. Today, deeply eroded oak hull frames, ballast stones, and rusted iron fittings emerge from the sand among patches of sea bamboo.
Centuries-old wooden frames and ballast stones from a Dutch ship of the line
Sheltered conditions ideal for novice divers, night diving, and macro photography
Regular encounters with small endemic shark species resting on the sand
Location
Use the map to plan with your operator and confirm the exact entry point on the day.
Seasonality
Winter and spring offer the clearest water in False Bay when northwesterly winds dominate.
Marine life
| Species | Likelihood | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pyjama sharkPoroderma africana | Common | ||||||||||||
| Puffadder shysharkHaploblepharus edwardsii | Common | ||||||||||||
| Common octopusOctopus vulgaris | Common | ||||||||||||
| Super klipfishClinus superciliosus | Common | ||||||||||||
| Cape cuttlefishSepia vermiculata | Seasonal |
Marine forecast
