Whittle Rock, Cape Town, South Africa - Cape Town & Western Cape

Dropping down onto the AR-145, the USCG HU-25 Falcon 2101, is a real treat for wreck lovers. We’ve always been drawn to aircraft wrecks, and this one, sitting mostly intact, definitely delivers. You’ll find the fuselage is still largely connected, offering some fantastic penetration opportunities if you’re properly trained and equipped. Inside, the light plays through the openings, illuminating schools of baitfish that dart through the structure, making it feel alive despite its history. Our favourite part is exploring the cockpit area; it’s eerily preserved, with some instruments still visible. Look for the barracuda that often lurks around the tail section, and we’ve seen some hefty amberjacks circling the main body of the plane, especially on days with a decent current. The visibility can be hit or miss in North Carolina, but when it’s good, the Falcon looks absolutely majestic, a silent sentinel on the seabed. We’d suggest going early in the season, late spring, for the best chance of calm seas and clearer water. It’s a great dive for advanced open water divers comfortable with deeper wrecks and potential currents.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-34.248000, 18.553000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
15-30m

Wreck History - Whittle Rock, Cape Town, South Africa

Year Sunk
2010
Vessel Type
aircraft
Cause
scuttled

This is not your typical shipwreck. The USCG HU-25 Falcon, tail number 2101, was a high-speed, twin-engine jet used by the United States Coast Guard for decades. These versatile aircraft were the backbone of airborne search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and environmental patrol missions. After a distinguished service life flying from Air Station Cape Cod, Falcon 2101 was retired, becoming the first-ever HU-25 to be prepared for a second life beneath the waves.

On August 11, 2010, the decommissioned jet was carefully lowered to the seabed at a depth of about 65 feet, joining the ADVANCE II on the AR-145 artificial reef. For divers, the Falcon offers a truly unique experience. The aircraft rests intact on the sand, providing an incredible photo opportunity. You can peer into the cockpit where pilots once scanned the horizon, swim the length of its sleek fuselage, and observe how the ocean is slowly transforming this piece of aviation history into a living reef, attracting triggerfish, sea bass, and other colorful residents.

Marine Protected Area: False Bay Seal Island Provincial 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 Whittle Rock, Cape Town, South Africa

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 Whittle Rock, Cape Town, South Africa

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