FRONTIER - KwaZulu-Natal

Frontier is an odd one, a wreck site that barely breaks the surface. Honestly, we love it for its sheer quirkiness. It’s barely a dive in the traditional sense, more a fantastic snorkel or a very shallow free-dive adventure. The wreck sits in just three metres of water, a jumble of twisted metal and rusted hull plates that feels more like an artificial reef created by an abstract artist than a shipwreck. You’re not going to be penetrating engine rooms here. Instead, it’s all about the top deck, the superstructure that’s completely colonised by the Indian Ocean. We’ve seen juvenile snapper darting through the gaps, small octopus clinging to the rust, and often, schools of surgeonfish grazing the algae right off the hull. Visibility can be a bit variable, especially after a strong swell, but when it’s good, the light plays through the metalwork beautifully. Our pick is always to go at high tide; it gives you just that little bit more water to play in, and the currents tend to be calmer. It’s perfect for getting new divers comfortable with wrecks, or for anyone who just wants a relaxed float over a slice of history.

Location
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-31.626667, 29.551945
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
3m

Marine Protected Area: Hluleka Marine Protected Area

Best Time to Dive in KwaZulu-Natal

The warmest water temperatures in KwaZulu-Natal occur in January, averaging 27.0°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.0°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.0°C (air: 24.4°C)
  • February: 27.0°C (air: 24.6°C)
  • March: 27.0°C (air: 24.0°C)
  • April: 27.0°C (air: 21.7°C)
  • May: 27.0°C (air: 20.1°C)
  • June: 27.0°C (air: 18.2°C)
  • July: 27.0°C (air: 17.5°C)
  • August: 27.0°C (air: 18.2°C)
  • September: 27.0°C (air: 19.3°C)
  • October: 27.0°C (air: 20.3°C)
  • November: 27.0°C (air: 21.8°C)
  • December: 27.0°C (air: 23.2°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in KwaZulu-Natal

Nearest Dive Centres to FRONTIER

Marine Life in KwaZulu-Natal

Home to 495 recorded species including 400 reef fish, 41 sharks & rays, 19 hard corals, 9 sea snails & nudibranchs, 7 whales & dolphins, 7 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for FRONTIER

Based on average water temperature of 27.0°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • 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