Nebo Wreck, Aliwal Shoal - KwaZulu-Natal

We love a good plane wreck, and the Wildcat delivers. This F4F is a beauty, settled upright on the silty bottom, just off Raiders Hotel. Found in 2015, it’s mostly complete, a genuine time capsule from WWII. We’re talking intact cockpit, gauges still there, and even the gun sights if you peer closely. The propeller is gone, but the rest is remarkably preserved, a stark contrast to some of the more mangled metal in Iron Bottom Sound. Diving it, you get a real sense of history. It’s shallow, maximum 15 metres, so you have ample bottom time to explore every angle. Visibility can get a bit soupy if there’s current, so we always prefer a slack or incoming tide; it makes all the difference when you’re trying to spot the finer details. Look out for the resident orange-lined triggerfish darting around the wings, and those vibrant blue parrotfish grazing on the metal. It’s an easy dive, perfect for photographers or anyone keen to connect with a piece of wartime history in a serene setting.

Location: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates: -30.240700, 30.820900
Type: wreck

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)

Nearest Dive Centres to Nebo Wreck, Aliwal Shoal

Aliwal Shoal Adventures - Ocean Warriors - ["PADI"]
Blue Ocean Dive Resort - ["PADI"]
MISS BEHAVIN’S MERMAIDS
ScubaXcursion - SSI
South Coast Diving Co - ["PADI"]
Umhlanga Scuba - ["PADI"]

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

Soldier (Cheimerius nufar) - Reef Fish
African Weakfish (Atractoscion aequidens) - Reef Fish
Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) - Reef Fish
Allison's Tuna (Thunnus albacares) - Reef Fish
Dorado (Coryphaena hippurus) - Reef Fish
California Yellowtail (Seriola lalandi) - Reef Fish
Dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) - Reef Fish
Kawakawa (Euthynnus affinis) - Reef Fish
Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) - Reef Fish
Stripy (Katsuwonus pelamis) - Reef Fish
Oriental Bonito (Sarda orientalis) - Reef Fish
Prodigal Son (Rachycentron canadum) - Reef Fish
Talang queenfish (Scomberoides commersonnianus) - Reef Fish
Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) - Sharks & Rays
Dusky shark (Carcharhinus obscurus) - Sharks & Rays
Mozambique mouth-breeder (Oreochromis mossambicus) - Reef Fish
Elf (Pomatomus saltatrix) - Reef Fish
dory (Zeus faber) - Reef Fish
Bass (Polyprion americanus) - Reef Fish
Blue And Yellow Grouper (Epinephelus flavocaeruleus) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Nebo Wreck, Aliwal Shoal

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