BRITANNIA - Cape Town & Western Cape

There’s something about diving a wreck in such shallow water. The Britannia, a cutter sunk near the crawfish factory back when the industry was just taking off, is a true shore dive. We usually hit this one on a calm day, just a gentle swell, because it’s only five meters deep. You drop down, and suddenly, you’re face-to-face with history. The wreck itself is pretty broken up, scattered across the sandy bottom, but you can still make out the ribs and some of the hull plating. It’s not a swim-through kind of wreck; instead, it's a treasure hunt for details. We love poking around the remnants, imagining the old fishing days. What makes it special, though, is how completely it’s become part of the reef. Schools of hottentot dart through the structure, and we’ve seen some surprisingly large octopus tucked into the crevices. Look closely, and you’ll spot nudibranchs inching across the encrusted metal. It’s a fantastic spot for photographers who want to take their time getting macro shots. Our favourite time to dive it is first thing in the morning before the wind picks up, when the light filters down, creating these incredible shafts through the water. It’s a relaxed dive, perfect for stretching out a surface interval, or for those days when you just want to get wet without a lot of fuss.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-33.011112, 17.951666
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
5m

Wreck History - BRITANNIA

Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
unknown

The wreck of the cutter Britannia is a fascinating piece of local history tied to the early commercial fishing industry of the Western Cape. The vessel was owned by James Kasner, one of the pioneers of the region's first crawfish factories toward the end of the 19th century. The Britannia was likely a workhorse vessel, servicing the factory and fishing grounds before meeting its end in the waters near Cape Town.

At a depth of only 5 meters, the remains of the Britannia are easily accessible to divers of all levels and even snorkelers on a calm day. The wreck is classified as dangerous, meaning it poses a hazard to navigation, so divers should be mindful of boat traffic. Exploring this site offers a direct connection to the area's maritime heritage, imagining the vessel in its heyday as a vital part of a burgeoning local industry.

Marine Protected Area: Marcus Island 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 BRITANNIA

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 BRITANNIA

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