NOLLOTH - Cape Town & Western Cape

The Nolloth wreck isn’t about depth or big pelagics. It’s about a shallow, remarkably intact piece of history that delivers an intimate, detailed dive. We love this site for its sheer accessibility and how much you can actually see of the vessel, which went down way back in 1965. Dropping onto the Nolloth, you’ll immediately pick out the hull, almost fully preserved, sitting upright in the sand. It’s only five metres deep, so you get incredible bottom time to poke around the superstructure and peer into what used to be her holds. Sunlight streams through the remaining deck plates, illuminating schools of hottentot and strepies that dart through the skeletal remains. Look closely in the nooks and crannies for shy Roman or the occasional octopus squeezed into a tight spot. We find the real magic happens on a calm, sunny day when the light penetrates fully. The visibility can be a bit variable, so pick your weather wisely. It’s an absolute dream for photographers looking for an easy, shallow wreck shot with great ambient light. This isn’t a drift dive, it’s a gentle exploration, perfect for newer divers building confidence or anyone who appreciates a historical wreck without the nitrogen narcosis.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-34.276943, 18.388332
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 NOLLOTH

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 NOLLOTH

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