GRIQUALAND - KwaZulu-Natal

The Griqualand wreck, resting at 45 metres, is our pick for divers who appreciate a good story with their dive. She’s a merchant vessel, torpedoed by a South African Navy frigate in 1971 after a fire made her a danger to shipping. We love that detail, a real piece of history down there. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is her sheer size, 70 metres long. The bridge is pretty much gone, but the engine room is accessible if you’re comfortable with overhead environments and have the right training. Schools of giant trevally often circle the stern, and we’ve seen ragged-tooth sharks cruising past the bow section more than once. The mast still stands, usually decorated with lionfish. If you get there early, before other boats, the light filtering through the open deck sections creates an incredible, moody atmosphere. We’d suggest a twinset and a good torch; there are plenty of nooks to poke into. It's a deep dive, definitely one for experienced wreck divers comfortable with deco.

Location
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-30.083334, 30.926666
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
45m

Marine Protected Area: Aliwal Shoal 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 GRIQUALAND

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 GRIQUALAND

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