RMS Athens Wreck
Protected Area
Robben island Marine Protected Area
Why dive here
With 269+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, blue whales, dolphins, dwarf minke whales and great white sharks - RMS Athens Wreck offers some of Cape Town & Western Cape's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 14-16°C, warmest February, March, April.
The RMS Athens is a proper old-school wreck, lying broken in two pieces not far from Green Point. She went down in a storm in 1865, and while time and surges have certainly taken their toll, there's still plenty to poke around. You'll find yourself navigating through scattered plates and ribs, imagining the old steamship. What we really enjoy here are the shy reef fish that have made a home among the metal, along with the occasional puffadder shyshark tucked away. It's a great spot for advanced open water divers looking for a bit of history and a relaxed rummage, though we'd always recommend checking the local conditions, as visibility can vary quite a bit.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Cold water this month (avg 15°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.
Nearest Dive Centres to RMS Athens Wreck
Dive shops near RMS Athens Wreck
Two Oceans Aquarium
Into the Blue Scuba
Coral Wetsuits
Dive Action
University of Cape Town Underwater Club
UCT Underwater Club
Reviews for RMS Athens Wreck
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for RMS Athens Wreck
RMS Athens Wreck Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for RMS Athens Wreck, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-33.92, 18.46) (8km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
15°C
59°F · Range: 12.4–17.2°C
Air Temperature
17°C
62°F
Wind Speed
7.33 m/s
14.2 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1018.1 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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