TUNAMAN - Cape Town & Western Cape

Tunaman isn't your typical Cape Town dive, and honestly, we love it for that. Forget depth, this site is all about the dramatic surface action. The wreck, a fishing vessel that ran aground on Dassen Island back in '83, sits right in the shallows. We're talking two metres, max. You're snorkelling or free diving here, not on tanks, and that's precisely its charm. Head out on a calm day, ideally with a decent easterly wind earlier in the week to push the plankton away. You'll swim over the remains of the hull, parts of it still breaking the surface, and it’s a surprisingly busy place. The current can be quite strong around the island, so pick your conditions carefully. Look for the schools of hottentot darting through the rusted metal, and the occasional shy octopus tucked into a crevice. It's a fantastic spot for photographers looking for that half-in, half-out shot, or just for a quick dip to connect with a piece of maritime history. Our favourite part? The way the kelp weaves through the exposed superstructure, giving the wreck a truly wild, untamed feel. It's raw, exposed, and perfectly Dassen Island.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-33.416668, 18.083334
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
2m

Marine Protected Area: Dassen Island 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 TUNAMAN

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 TUNAMAN

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