NAMAQUE - Cape Town & Western Cape

The Namaque isn't your typical deep wreck dive, and that's precisely why we love it. Sunk in 1993, this old fishing vessel ran aground right near the shore, leaving its skeletal remains in less than two metres of water. It's a proper shore dive, a scramble over some rocks, and then you're finning over the fragmented stern and bow sections. What you'll experience here is a fascinating intertidal zone, a dynamic environment where the ocean constantly reclaims the wreck. You'll see the rusted plates shifting with the surge, and the light plays through the water, illuminating schools of hottentot and strepies darting between the metal ribs. We've spent ages just watching the small octopuses scuttle across the hull, blending perfectly with the encrusting sponges. It’s a photographer's dream for wide-angle shots on a calm day, especially if you catch it at high tide when the water is clearest. Don't expect dramatic drop-offs or large pelagics; this site is about the intimate details, the textures, and the sheer resilience of marine life adapting to a man-made structure. Perfect for a leisurely exploration when the wind keeps you out of the deeper sites.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-33.413334, 18.083334
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
2m

Marine Protected Area: Dassen Island 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 NAMAQUE

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 NAMAQUE

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