HALERIC - Cape Town & Western Cape

The Halerica. Even the name sounds like a rumble in the deep. This isn't one of those polite, broken-up wrecks, it’s a proper behemoth, 125 metres of steamship sprawled across the seabed off Paternoster Point. We love a wreck that still feels like a ship, and the Halerica delivers. She’s definitely dangerous, as the official classification warns, but that just adds to the thrill, doesn't it? You get a real sense of her sheer scale here, the bow section still rising defiantly, the stern completely broken. We’d suggest heading down early morning, before any wind picks up, because it can get choppy out here. Dropping onto the wreck, you’ll first notice the incredible growth, a colourful carpet of soft corals and anemones that have completely claimed the steel plates. Look closely, and you’ll spot a resident octopus or a shy catshark tucked into a crevice. The holds are still somewhat intact, offering swim-throughs if you're comfortable and properly trained. It’s a site for experienced divers, no doubt, but the sheer size and historical weight of the Halerica make it a truly memorable dive.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-32.726665, 17.885000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
25m

Marine Protected Area: Paternoster Rocks 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 HALERIC

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 HALERIC

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