H.C. RICHARDS - Cape Town & Western Cape

The H.C. Richards isn’t a deep dive, not even close. At a max of three metres, it's more of a snorkel or a very relaxed dive, but don't let that fool you. This is an old iron hulk, formerly the Emily Faithfull, dismasted off the Cape and then scuttled to form part of a jetty in Salamander Bay. We love how the shallow depth brings the wreck’s rusty skeleton into sharp relief, especially on a sunny day when the light catches the barnacle-encrusted plates. What you get here is pure texture. The wreck is a mosaic of rust and growth, a fantastic macro playground. Look for pipefish tucked into crevices and small crabs scuttling across the decaying metal. It’s not about big pelagics here, it’s about slow exploration and appreciation for how nature reclaims man-made structures. We'd suggest going at high tide for the best visibility, as the bay can get a bit stirred up. It’s our pick for a leisurely afternoon dive, perfect for photographers or anyone keen to just potter about and soak in a bit of Cape history without the pressure of depth or currents.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-33.074165, 17.996666
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
3m

Marine Protected Area: Jutten 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 H.C. RICHARDS

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 H.C. RICHARDS

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