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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical diving depth around Seal Island in False Bay?
The maximum diving depth around Seal Island in False Bay is 12 meters. This relatively shallow depth makes it accessible for various diving experiences, including those focused on observing marine life near the surface.
What marine life can divers expect to see when diving or cage diving at Seal Island False Bay?
Divers at Seal Island False Bay can expect to encounter a thriving seal colony, home to 50 to 60 thousand seals. This breeding colony, in turn, attracts impressive predators such as the Great White Shark and the Broadnose Sevengill Shark, though these two shark species are rarely seen together.
Is diving at Seal Island False Bay suitable for beginner divers, or is prior experience required?
Diving at Seal Island False Bay is rated as an intermediate difficulty dive. Therefore, prior diving experience is required, and it is not typically recommended for absolute beginner divers.
What is the best time of year to dive at Seal Island False Bay for optimal conditions and marine life sightings?
The data indicates that Great White sharks are attracted to Seal Island False Bay during the time the seal pups start swimming. While specific months are not provided, this period would likely offer optimal marine life sightings for shark encounters. For more general optimal diving conditions, you might consult our When to Dive guide.
Do I need a specific scuba diving certification to dive or cage dive at Seal Island False Bay?
While the data doesn't specify a particular certification, given that Seal Island False Bay is rated as an intermediate dive, a minimum of an Open Water Diver certification is generally expected for scuba diving. For cage diving, specific certifications might not be required, but it's always best to check with local operators.
What are the typical water conditions, currents, and visibility like for diving at Seal Island False Bay?
The average visibility for diving at Seal Island False Bay is typically around 6 meters. While specific current information is not provided in the data, divers should always be prepared for varying conditions, especially in areas known for attracting large marine life.