CYNTHIA

Best months: Mar

Protected Area

Marcus Island Marine Protected Area

Why dive here

With 269+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, blue whales, dolphins, dwarf minke whales and great white sharks - CYNTHIA 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 8m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Cynthia, just outside Granger Bay, offers a chill wreck dive that’s perfect when you want something close to shore. At a shallow 8 metres, it’s a site we often swing by for an easy second dive or when the south-easter is blowing. She was a tug that sank at anchor, and you can still make out the superstructure – the bridge area is especially cool to poke around. What we really love about the Cynthia is how much life has moved in. The deck is carpeted in soft corals, and there are always plenty of shy hottentot and strepies darting between the plates. Look closely in the nooks and crannies for nudibranchs, especially during the spring. It’s a great spot for newer wreck divers to get a feel for penetration, with plenty of light filtering down into the holds. The visibility here can vary a lot, from 5 metres on an average day to 15 metres if you’re lucky, so pick your day. Go on a calm morning, ideally after a few days of no wind, and you’ll find it at its best.