DURNESS - Cape Town & Western Cape

The Durness is one of those wrecks we always make time for when we’re on the west coast, just south of Bok Point. She’s a trawler, went down in ‘87, and sits upright in about 25 metres. Our favourite thing about her is the way the light filters through the structure on a good day – it really makes the resident fish pop. You’ll often find decent-sized schools of hottentot and strepies darting through the wheelhouse, and the hold is usually home to a few shy red roman. We’ve even seen a pyjama shark tucked away in the darker corners. The currents here can pick up, so we always plan our dive for slack tide. Keep an eye on the surge too, especially if there's a swell running. It’s a cracker of a dive for anyone who enjoys exploring a proper wreck, not just a pile of rubble, and the marine life always adds a good layer to the experience.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-33.600000, 18.333334
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
25m

Marine Protected Area: Seal Ledges 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 DURNESS

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 DURNESS

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