AMERICA - Cape Town & Western Cape

The *America* wreck, sitting in just 12 meters of water, is one of our favourite easy dives in False Bay. We love it because it’s so accessible and offers a fantastic glimpse into Cape Town’s maritime history without needing advanced skills. Descending onto the wreck, you’ll find the remnants of a wooden sailing ship, slowly being reclaimed by the ocean. We’d suggest heading down on a calm day; the shallow depth means surge can be a factor, but a still morning makes for an incredibly peaceful dive. You can swim through parts of the hull, watch light filter through the timbers, and see how sea fans and anemones have taken hold. Look closely and you’ll often spot shy shy sharks tucked amongst the debris, along with playful schools of hottentot swimming overhead. It's a superb wreck dive for anyone keen on exploration without the pressure of deep water or strong currents, a real window into the past.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-33.914860, 18.448883
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
12m

Wreck History - AMERICA

Vessel Type
unknown
Cause
unknown

The wreck known only as the 'America' is an enigma resting in the cool waters off Cape Town. With no recorded date or cause of sinking, its history is a blank slate, leaving divers to speculate on its origins. Was it a merchant ship caught in one of the Cape of Storms' legendary gales, or perhaps an older vessel that simply succumbed to the sea? The name itself is the only clue, suggesting a possible link to the United States, but its true identity remains lost to time.

Lying at a shallow and accessible depth of 12 meters, the America is an ideal dive site for all certification levels. The wreckage, though scattered and broken, has become a vibrant artificial reef. Divers can explore the skeletal remains, now encrusted with colorful sponges and soft corals, while searching for the diverse marine life of the Western Cape, from shy shysharks to schools of reef fish. Its 'Dangerous Wreck' classification means caution is required around sharp metal, but it offers a fantastic and mysterious dive close to the city.

Marine Protected Area: Duikerklip Provincial Nature Reserve

Best Time to Dive in Cape Town & Western Cape

The warmest water temperatures in Cape Town & Western Cape occur in January, averaging 18.9°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 18.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 18.9°C (air: 20.8°C)
  • February: 18.9°C (air: 20.7°C)
  • March: 18.9°C (air: 19.5°C)
  • April: 18.9°C (air: 17.3°C)
  • May: 18.9°C (air: 15.8°C)
  • June: 18.9°C (air: 15.0°C)
  • July: 18.9°C (air: 13.2°C)
  • August: 18.9°C (air: 13.2°C)
  • September: 18.9°C (air: 13.9°C)
  • October: 18.9°C (air: 16.5°C)
  • November: 18.9°C (air: 17.8°C)
  • December: 18.9°C (air: 19.3°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Cape Town & Western Cape

Nearest Dive Centres to AMERICA

Marine Life in Cape Town & Western Cape

Home to 271 recorded species including 176 reef fish, 45 sharks & rays, 28 whales & dolphins, 5 hard corals, 4 other, 4 octopus & squid.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for AMERICA

Based on average water temperature of 18.9°C.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 19°C water
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories