Seal Island Falsebay - Cape Town & Western Cape

The Great Northern is one of our favourite wreck dives, especially for something so accessible. She went down on New Year’s Eve, 1902, so there’s over a century of growth on her hull now, sitting in the sand at a max of 13m. We’ve had dives here with visibility touching 20m, but 10-15m is more common, painting the scene in a soft, ethereal light. You’re not going deep, but that just means more bottom time to explore the nooks and crannies. We regularly spot those slender alligator pipefish darting amongst the twisted metal, and the peacock-tail anemone shrimp are always a delight – keep your eyes peeled for their iridescent colours. The corals here, particularly the soft varieties, have really taken hold, creating these vibrant patches against the dark wreck. We’ve spent whole safety stops just watching the bicolour parrotfish graze the reef, their crunching audible if you listen closely. It’s a photographer’s dream, particularly for macro, and the gentle conditions make it perfect for newer wreck divers or anyone who just wants a relaxed, fascinating dive.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-34.138800, 18.583400
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: False Bay Seal Island Provincial Nature Reserve

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 Seal Island Falsebay

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 Seal Island Falsebay

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