The Dive Site
Series
Hidden below the waters surrounding the Cape Peninsula lie one
of the unknown jewels of the area, known to only those who brave
the sea to get a first-hand account. Viewed from above it gives the
impression of being a bleak brown landscape as has been mentioned
to me on many an occasion. Enter the water and suddenly a whole new
world unfolds right before your eyes.
Cape Town is not well known as a diving destination of any note,
particularly to “outsiders” – ie. to those who do
not dive and also tourists to the area. It is certainly not well
marketed world wide, as have dive venues such as Sodwana Bay and
Aliwal Shoal. The aim of this series is to illustrate the many
great diving opportunities available and to draw attention to the
vast marine biodiversity that surrounds us.
Dive Site
Description
Maximum depth is 22 meters on the sand to the stern. The deck at
the bow is at about 17m, and it slopes down gradually to the region
of the wheelhouse, where the hull has fractured across the width of
the vessel. The forward section is canted to port, and the midship
section remains fairly level. The hull is also fractured at the
break of the quarterdeck .
Visibility is not often as much as 10m, and freqently less than
8m, but occasionally it can exceed 15m. The wreckage is heavily
encrusted with invertebrates, and home to several species of fish.
In September 2010 the dominant invertebrate species was clearly the
Mauve sea cucumber, which is actually more a light grey in colour.
The external surface of the wreck was covered almost everywhere
with a carpet of these echinoderms. .
This site is only really accessible by boat and is a popular
venue with the charter operators.
Follow this link
for more information and a dive site map.
Featured Critter –
Chinese klipfish
The Chinese klipfish(Clinus nematopterus) occurs in
False Bay and further east and can be found at depths of up to 50m.
It prefers areas with dense growth of feather stars. The
outstanding feature are the branched cirri at the tips of the
dorsal spine which no other member of the klipfish family has.The
fish is moderately common but rarely seen as they are well
camouflaged. They do not flee when approached, making them a great
photographic subject. The common name comes from the mistaken
belief that the fish was first found in the Sea of China, when it
was actually collected in False Bay.
About the
cache
This cache is not hidden underwater - it has been placed just
off a trail that runs above main road. From the cache site you may
be fortunate enough to see a dive boat moored on the wreck.