KAKAPO - Cape Town & Western Cape

The Kakapo, now this is a proper Cape Town classic, and one we find ourselves returning to often. It’s an old steamship, ran aground back in 1900 on her maiden voyage – quite the story, really. What we love about the Kakapo is how accessible it is, sitting in only five metres of water. You can spend ages poking around the scattered plates and twisted metal. The real draw here isn’t necessarily the structure of a complete ship, but the way the ocean has completely reclaimed it. We’ve seen octopuses peeking out from under a broken boiler, and schools of Hottentot fish darting between the ribs of the hull. It’s an easy, relaxed dive, perfect for photographers wanting to capture those moody, kelp-filtered light rays or newer divers getting comfortable with wreck exploration. We’d suggest going on a calm day; even at five metres, a bit of surge can really kick up the sand and drop visibility. Look for the distinct, heavy chain draped over some sections; it’s a good indicator you’re right in the heart of the wreckage.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-34.124443, 18.348333
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
5m

Marine Protected Area: Table Mountain National Park 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 KAKAPO

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 KAKAPO

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