BOY FRANCIS - Cape Town & Western Cape

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.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-32.700000, 18.083334
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
17m

Wreck History - BOY FRANCIS

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.

Marine Protected Area: Paternoster Rocks 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 BOY FRANCIS

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 BOY FRANCIS

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