OTORI MARU NO 8 - Cape Town & Western Cape

The Otori Maru No. 8 is one of those wrecks that just keeps giving, especially if you love a good story with your dive. She went down in a thick fog back in ‘84, making her way to the fishing grounds, and now she’s settled nice and deep at 30 metres. We love how intact she is, still looking like a fishing vessel rather than just a pile of scrap. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the sheer scale – that big stern section still sits proud, often draped in kelp. We’ve found the wheelhouse is always a highlight; it’s largely intact and you can still poke your head in, imagining the final moments before she started taking on water. Visibility can be a bit variable here, so pick a calm day with minimal swell for the best experience. When it’s good, though, the light filtering through the kelp onto the deck makes for some dramatic photos. Keep an eye out for the shy reef fish that have made the wreck their home. We’ve seen a lot of hottentot and strepies darting in and out of the holds, and the odd shy shark tucked away in a shadowy corner. It’s a dive that rewards slow exploration, letting you piece together the vessel’s history as you go. Definitely one for the wreck hounds and anyone who appreciates a bit of maritime history beneath the waves.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-34.716667, 19.516666
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
30m

Marine Protected Area: Dyer Island Nature Reserve Complex

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 OTORI MARU NO 8

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 OTORI MARU NO 8

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