JOHN WILLIAMSON

Best months: Jan–Mar

Why dive here

With 490+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blue sharks, bull sharks, eagle rays and great white sharks - JOHN WILLIAMSON offers some of KwaZulu-Natal's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 21-26°C, warmest January, February, March.

Best timeJan–Mar

WetsuitA 3mm full wetsuit

Marine lifeBarracuda, Blue Sharks, Bull Sharks, Eagle Rays and Great White Sharks · 490+ species recorded

Water21-26°C · warmest January, February, March

CharacterWreck dive · max 6m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The John Williamson is a real favourite of ours, especially on those days when the deeper stuff feels like too much effort or the surge is just too strong for the outer reefs. Sitting in a shallow six metres, it’s not about grand scale, but instead a wonderfully intricate exploration. We love how the wreck is really broken up, scattered across the sand. It feels like you’re picking through a historical puzzle rather than just swimming over a solid hulk. What you get here is pure macro heaven. Look closely and you’ll find nudibranchs in colours you didn’t know existed, hiding in crevices and on the growth-covered metal. Scorpionfish camouflage themselves perfectly against the rusty plates, so keep your eyes peeled. There are always a few moray eels peeking out from under the larger sections of hull, and the occasional juvenile snapper darts between the pieces. It’s a site where you want to take your time, really slow down, and appreciate the small details. Ideal for photographers, or anyone who enjoys a leisurely poke around a historical artefact.