HADDON HALL - Cape Town & Western Cape

Haddon Hall is one of our favourite shallow wrecks, especially for a relaxed dive when the wind plays ball. It’s barely 5 metres deep but there’s so much ship to see. Built in 1895, this old carrier came to rest off Saldanha Bay in 1913, and what’s left of her hull and superstructure is now an open invitation for exploration. We love finning slowly over the scattered plates, imagining the scale of a ship nearly 116 metres long. You can weave between the ribs, which feel like walking through the skeleton of a giant sea beast. This shallow depth means excellent light penetration on a sunny day. The visibility can be hit or miss in the Western Cape, but when it's good here, the light makes the whole wreck glow. Look closely and you’ll find small octopuses tucked into crevices, their eyes watching you. Schools of juvenile fish often hover around the larger metal structures, darting in and out of the shade. This is a perfect site for newer divers or those who just want to spend an hour poking around a proper old wreck without the challenges of depth or current. It's a proper historical site, easy to get to, and always delivers a solid dive.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-32.993332, 17.868334
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
5m

Marine Protected Area: Malgas 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 HADDON HALL

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 HADDON HALL

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