THOMAS T. TUCKER - Cape Town & Western Cape
The Thomas T. Tucker, a Liberty Ship run aground in 1942, sits in just three metres of water off Olifantsbosch Point. It’s not a deep dive, obviously, but what it lacks in depth it makes up for in character. You’ll find its scattered remains, a tangle of metalwork and twisted plates, providing shelter for plenty of local critters. Expect to see schools of hottentot and strepies darting through the structure, with the occasional shy octopus tucked into a crevice. It’s a great spot for a relaxed snorkel or an easy dive, especially on a calm day when the Atlantic swell isn't making things too bouncy.
- Location
- Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
- Coordinates
- -34.273335, 18.380000
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 3m
Marine Protected Area: Table Mountain National Park 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
- 13th Apostle (cave)
- ADELFOTIS - 15m (wreck)
- A Frame - 5-20m (reef)
- A-frame Cape Town (pinnacle)
- A-frame Cape Town (reef)
- ALBACORE - 60m (wreck)
- Albatross Rock (reef)
- ALCESTIS - 31m (wreck)
- Alpha Reef (wall)
- AMERICA - 12m (wreck)
- Ammunition Barges - 9m (wreck)
- Andre se Gat - 15-30m (cave)
- AN HUNG NO.1 - 2m (wreck)
- Ankers (reef)
- Anvil Rock (pinnacle)
Nearest Dive Centres to THOMAS T. TUCKER
- Alpha Dive Centre - ["PADI","NAUI"]
- Alpha Dive Centre - Strand
- Bellville Underwater Club - ["CMAS","IANTD"]
- Best Kiteboarding Africa
- Blue Flash
- Cape Town Dive Centre - PADI
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
- Tuna (Thunnus alalunga) - Reef Fish
- African Weakfish (Atractoscion aequidens) - Reef Fish
- California Yellowtail (Seriola lalandi) - Reef Fish
- Elf (Pomatomus saltatrix) - Reef Fish
- Rig (Galeorhinus galeus) - Sharks & Rays
- Allison's Tuna (Thunnus albacares) - Reef Fish
- Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) - Reef Fish
- Stripy (Katsuwonus pelamis) - Reef Fish
- Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) - Reef Fish
- Jac (Helicolenus dactylopterus) - Reef Fish
- Salema (Sarpa salpa) - Reef Fish
- Angel (Brama brama) - Reef Fish
- Ribbonfish (Lepidopus caudatus) - Reef Fish
- Cosmopolitan Spurdog (Squalus megalops) - Sharks & Rays
- Shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) - Sharks & Rays
- pearl-side (Maurolicus muelleri) - Reef Fish
- Gaper (Champsodon capensis) - Reef Fish
- Blue Shark (Prionace glauca) - Sharks & Rays
- Bronze whaler (Carcharhinus brachyurus) - Sharks & Rays
- Common brittlestar (Ophiothrix fragilis)
Recommended Packing List for THOMAS T. TUCKER
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