HARVEST NEPTUNE - Cape Town & Western Cape

The Harvest Neptune isn’t your typical deep wreck dive off Cape Town. We’ve always found it has a real personality, even stripped of its engines and scuttled unceremoniously back in ’77. Dropping onto the deck at 36 metres, you’re greeted by the ghostly skeletal remains of what was once a working trawler. Those missing engines leave gaping holes, making for some fascinating, if silty, swim-throughs into the engine room and accommodation block. Our favourite part is the bow, usually swarming with hottentot and strepies, often schooling so densely they almost obscure the rusted metal. Look for the nudibranchs on the superstructure, their colours a stark contrast to the monochrome steel. The bridge area is largely collapsed now, but the stern is still quite intact, offering shelter for shy red romans and a few inquisitive octopus. It’s a dark, atmospheric dive, often with a chill in the water, so a good drysuit or thick wetsuit is a must. If you love exploring the bones of a ship and appreciate the way nature reclaims man-made objects, the Harvest Neptune is a genuinely rewarding experience. Just be mindful of the often-strong surge and always keep an eye on your bottom time.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-33.016666, 17.850000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
36m

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 HARVEST NEPTUNE

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 HARVEST NEPTUNE

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