MARITZ - Cape Town & Western Cape

Maritz, a fishing trawler that went down in 1980, offers a proper historical dive. We particularly like it because you feel the weight of its story. It hit Malaya Rock in stormy seas near Saldanha Bay, and tragically, 30 of 33 crew were lost. You’re descending onto a dangerous wreck, still very much a tomb, and that lends a respectful silence to the dive. The wreck itself sits at 24m, upright and largely intact, though time and the ocean have done their work. Visibility here can be a bit variable, so we always suggest picking a day with calm seas and a rising tide for the best chance of decent light. Inside the wheelhouse, you can still make out some of the controls, encrusted now with delicate nudibranchs and anemones. Outside, shoals of hottentot fish swirl around the mast, and we’ve often spotted shy octopus tucked into crevices in the hull. It's a dive that suits those who appreciate a wreck with a narrative, a place where history and marine life have truly intertwined.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-33.016666, 17.883333
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
24m

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 MARITZ

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 MARITZ

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