SAS Transvaal (Wreck) - Cape Town & Western Cape

The Blade is one of those sites that just feels… substantial. It’s exactly what it sounds like, a big slab of reef pushing out from the coast, with a relatively shallow top around 8 meters, then dropping sharply on both flanks down to 29 meters. We love it for the sheer drama of the topography; swimming along the edge, looking down into that deep blue, you really feel the ocean’s scale. Visibility averages around 15 meters, which, honestly, is plenty to appreciate the structure and the schools of fish that hang around. We often spot big groups of Ballyhoo zipping past, and the resident Saddle Squirrelfish always seem to be peeking out from the coral ledges. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff too; the nooks in the rock are where we’ve found Sharpnose Pufferfish and occasionally a well-camouflaged Orangespotted Filefish. It's a great spot for advanced divers who appreciate dramatic reef formations and the potential for pelagic encounters.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-34.264100, 18.478700
Type
reef

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 SAS Transvaal (Wreck)

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 SAS Transvaal (Wreck)

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