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Smitswinkel Bay Wrecks

Smitswinkel Bay, a collection of five scuttled vessels, is our favourite wreck dive in the Cape. It’s a proper playground, a deliberate attempt to create an artificial reef, and it’s worked brilliantly. You’ve got everything from a naval boom defence vessel, the SAS Fleur, to a couple of fishing trawlers, the Annie B and the Princess Elizabeth, all resting between 15 and 35 metres. We love dropping down onto the Princess Elizabeth first, often finding redeye and oman porgy shoaling around her mast. The visibility here can swing wildly, but on a good day, when the south-easter has blown itself out, you can see the shapes of multiple wrecks emerging from the blue. It’s always cooler down deep, a proper Atlantic chill that keeps you alert. Explore the holds, peer into the darker corners for shy albatross or even arrowhead dogfish if you're lucky. The sheer number of species recorded here, over 230, tells its own story. Smitswinkel suits divers comfortable with colder water and decent depth, offering ample opportunity for penetration and exploration across a truly unique complex. Just remember to check the forecast; a strong south-easter makes for a bumpy ride out.