BOY FRANCIS

Best months: Mar

Protected Area

Paternoster Rocks Provincial Nature Reserve

Why dive here

With 269+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, blue whales, dolphins, dwarf minke whales and great white sharks - BOY FRANCIS offers some of Cape Town & Western Cape's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 14-16°C, warmest February, March, April.

Best timeMar

WetsuitA 7mm wetsuit with a hood

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Blue Whales, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales and Great White Sharks · 269+ species recorded

Water14-16°C · warmest February, March, April

CharacterWreck dive · max 17m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Boy Francis is our pick for a classic Cape Town wreck dive, a real gem that’s easily accessible and never disappoints. This fishing trawler went down back in 1974, carrying a hefty catch on the first night of the season. We always try to time our dive for calmer seas, though the surge can still be a playful companion down there. You’ll hit the deck around 17 metres, which means plenty of bottom time for a good explore. What we love about the Boy Francis is how much character she still holds. Her bow points west, and you can swim through the old holds, imagining the haul that went down with her. Look for the massive anchor chain draped over the side, now home to colourful nudibranchs and anemones. We’ve often found pyjama sharks tucked away in the darker crevices, their stripes a sharp contrast against the steel. The main mast rises like a ghostly finger, attracting schools of hottentot and strepies that swirl around you, catching the light. It's a proper wreck dive, complete with atmosphere and plenty of life to discover.

Typical BOY FRANCIS Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Cold water this month (avg 15°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.

Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

Today05:1317:5712h 44m daylightGolden hour 17:24

BOY FRANCIS Wreck History

Year Sunk

1974

Vessel Type

fishing vessel

Cause

storm

The story of the Boy Francis is a dramatic tale of fortune and fate. On January 2nd, 1974, the first night of the South African fishing season, the vessel was loaded with an unusually large catch, a promising start to the year. However, the weather turned, and the fishing vessel was caught in a heavy storm. Overburdened and battered by the elements, the Boy Francis foundered and sank.

Fortunately, the entire crew was rescued, leaving behind only the vessel and its valuable cargo on the seabed. Today, the Boy Francis rests at a very accessible depth of 17 meters. As a relatively small wreck, divers can easily explore the entire site in a single dive, searching for remnants of its fishing gear and observing the marine life that has claimed this unlucky vessel as an artificial reef.