The Canyon - Cape Town & Western Cape

Okay, so Taman Nukila, right in Ternate’s backyard, is a bit of an odd duck. It's not your usual remote wreck expedition, but that's what we love about it. You’ve got two wrecks here: one’s a natural sinking, the KM Pari, which sits a little deeper, down to about 23m. The other, an illegal fishing boat, was purposely sunk by the Navy at 19m. The visibility averages 16m, so it’s not always pristine, but it’s enough to get a good sense of the shape as you approach. What you'll find is a cool juxtaposition of metal and life. Schools of fusiliers and snapper hang around the superstructure, shimmering in the beams of light that break through the surface. We always spot painted spiny lobsters tucked into crevices, their antennae waving gently. Look closely, and you’ll often find frogfish camouflaged on the decks, or green shrimp doing their meticulous cleaning. It’s a site for divers who appreciate the way human history slowly gets reclaimed by the ocean, and it's surprisingly accessible from Ternate's city centre. Our pick is to go early, before any local boat traffic picks up.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-34.515100, 18.496100
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Betty's Bay 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 The Canyon

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 The Canyon

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