GENERAL BOTHA - Cape Town & Western Cape

The General Botha, down at 50 metres, is a proper technical dive, and one we’ve always had a soft spot for. She was scuttled by gunfire in False Bay back in ‘47, an old training vessel, and now she sits upright, mostly intact, an impressive sight as you descend into the gloom. We love the sheer scale of the wreck; you can still make out the superstructure, and the bow section is particularly dramatic. Visibility can be a bit hit or miss, typical for False Bay, but when it’s good, the size of the General Botha really comes into its own. This isn’t a rummage-around sort of wreck; it’s about appreciating the structure, the history, and the way the ocean has claimed it. Look out for the resident shy sharks tucked into crevices and big hottentot fish schooling around the mast. Our favourite time to dive her is on a calm, winter’s day, when the swell has died down and the water has that crisp, clear feel. This is one for experienced wreck divers comfortable with deep profiles and potential currents.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-34.227500, 18.638332
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
50m

Marine Protected Area: False Bay Seal Island 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 GENERAL BOTHA

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 GENERAL BOTHA

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