WILHELMINA CORNELIA

Best months: Mar

Protected Area

Jutten Island 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 - WILHELMINA CORNELIA offers some of Cape Town & Western Cape's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 14-16°C, warmest February, March, April.

Best timeMar

WetsuitA 7mm wetsuit with a hood

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Blue Whales, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales and Great White Sharks · 269+ species recorded

Water14-16°C · warmest February, March, April

CharacterWreck dive · max 10m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Wilhelmina Cornelia isn't some deep, dark behemoth. She's a shallow wreck, sitting upright in around 10 metres of water, often shallower depending on the tide. This makes her fantastic for newer wreck divers or photographers wanting longer bottom times. We love how accessible she is, just a short boat ride from Simon's Town. Dropping down, you're immediately struck by the sheer amount of kelp swaying around her superstructure. It’s a green curtain that parts to reveal the remains of the trawler. Her stern is largely intact, with the prop shaft still visible, and you can poke your head into some of the cargo holds. Watch for the resident pyjama sharks often tucked away in crevices, their striped bodies a stark contrast to the rust. We always find plenty of shy cat sharks here too, plus the usual suspects like strepies and hottentot darting in and out of the metalwork. The visibility can vary, but on a good day, with the sun filtering through the kelp, it’s a truly atmospheric dive. Dive her on a calm day; the surge can be a real nuisance if the swell picks up.