SS Star of Africa
Protected Area
Table Mountain National Park 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 - SS Star of Africa offers some of Cape Town & Western Cape's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 14-16°C, warmest February, March, April.
Dropping onto the SS Star of Africa, you're immediately struck by how much of this old steamship remains. It lies broken but mostly intact, with huge sections of hull, ribs, and machinery forming a substantial artificial reef. We've spent dives just navigating the interior, imagining the engine room, and exploring the holds where a surprising number of shy octopus have set up shop. The wreck attracts a good crowd of hottentot and strepies, often schooling around the deeper sections. It's a great spot for wreck enthusiasts looking for a proper structure to explore, rather than just scattered debris.
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 SS Star of Africa
Dive shops near SS Star of Africa
Ollava
Pisces Divers
Cape Town Dive Centre
Scuba Shack
Learn to Dive Today
Blue Flash
Reviews for SS Star of Africa
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for SS Star of Africa
SS Star of Africa Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for SS Star of Africa, 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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