Boulders Beach - Cape Town & Western Cape

El Aguila is a Roatán classic for a reason. This 75-meter freighter, purposely sunk in 1997, sits broken in three pieces at around 30 meters, making it a proper wreck dive with plenty to explore. We love finning through the open cargo holds, where the sunlight filters down, illuminating schools of snapper and the occasional grumpy-looking grouper hiding in the shadows. The bow section, in particular, is beautiful, often patrolled by barracuda, and we’ve even spotted reef sharks cruising the perimeter on a good day. The wreck acts as a huge artificial reef, and the coral growth, especially on the top decks, is impressive. Look for nimble blennies peeking from crevices and the vibrant colours of peppermint bass flitting about. Our top tip: get there early. This site gets busy, and having El Aguila to yourself, even for a few minutes, changes the whole vibe. Currents can be mild to moderate, so keep an eye on the dive briefing. It's a solid wreck dive for those comfortable at depth, offering plenty of nooks and crannies for curious eyes and some excellent wide-angle photo opportunities.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-34.196500, 18.451900
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area

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 Boulders Beach

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 Boulders Beach

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