KER YAR VOR - Cape Town & Western Cape

The Ker Yar Vor is a sturdy trawler, deliberately scuttled back in 1979 to create an artificial reef. She sits upright at 22 metres, a very manageable depth that makes her a favourite for extended bottom times. We love how intact she remains; you can still make out the wheelhouse, the hold, and her general shape, a real ghost ship feeling. Drop down and you'll find her completely draped in soft corals, anemones swaying with the surge, and a surprising amount of fish life sheltering in her nooks. It’s a site that really comes alive when the visibility is good, giving you that spectacular wide-angle view of the entire wreck. Look closely inside the superstructure and you’ll often spot shy moray eels peeking out, while schools of hottentot fish dart across the decks. We’ve even seen the odd octopus tucked away in a crevice. This wreck really suits divers who appreciate a good exploration, perhaps a little penetration into the hold if conditions allow, without the added stress of extreme depth or current. It’s a photographer’s dream on a sunny day, the light playing off the corals and the silhouette of the wreck against the blue. Dive it early if you can, before any surge picks up, for the best chance of clear water.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-34.033333, 18.311666
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
22m

Marine Protected Area: Duikerklip 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 KER YAR VOR

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 KER YAR VOR

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