Smitswinkel Bay Wrecks

Smitswinkel Bay is one of South Africa's most remarkable wreck dive destinations — five deliberately scuttled naval vessels lie in a protected bay between 18 and 30 metres, forming an artificial reef that has been colonised over decades into an extraordinary marine habitat. The wrecks include the SAS Pietermaritzburg (a frigate), SAS Fleur, and three smaller vessels, all within swimming distance of one another. Kelp and sea fans cloak the superstructures while hundreds of blacktail and hottentot school around the hulls. Sevengill sharks are common visitors and Cape fur seals hunt the fish aggregations around the wrecks. The bay is sheltered, making conditions generally calmer than exposed sites, and visibility is consistently good through the Cape winter.