PANTELIS A. LEMOS - Cape Town & Western Cape

The Pantelis A. Lemos wreck isn't about depth, it's about sheer scale. This monster of a bulk carrier, split into three main sections, lies just six metres down in False Bay. We love it for how accessible it is, even for newer divers, but don't mistake shallow for uninteresting. Swimming over the massive engine room or exploring the bridge section, you really feel the history – a ship built in '73, gone by '78. The real show here, beyond the steel itself, is the life it holds. The visibility can be a bit variable, especially after a strong southerly, but when it’s good, you’ll find pyjama sharks tucked into crevices, schools of hottentot darting through openings, and plenty of nudibranchs clinging to the superstructure. Our favourite part has to be the stern section; it’s just massive, and the way the light filters through the collapsed plating creates some incredible photo opportunities. We'd suggest aiming for a calm morning; the swell can make it a bit bouncy at the surface, but it's always worth the dive.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-33.165000, 18.022778
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
6m

Marine Protected Area: Sixteen Mile Beach 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 PANTELIS A. LEMOS

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 PANTELIS A. LEMOS

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