AURORA - Sodwana Bay

The Aurora, a fishing trawler that went down in 1975, is one of those wrecks that just feels *right* for a dive. It sits upright at just 11 metres, making it perfect for newer divers or anyone wanting a relaxed second dive. We love that you can really take your time here. You’ll find the bridge largely intact, a favourite haunt for big schools of glassfish that shimmer in the shafts of sunlight. Look closely in the nooks and crannies for moray eels – we’ve often spotted honeycomb and geometric morays peeking out. The cargo hold is open, and sometimes you’ll see the resident potato bass lurking inside, a truly enormous fish. We always suggest bringing a torch, not just for the darker spots, but to really make the colours of the soft corals pop. It’s an easy site to navigate, and the generally mild currents mean you can spend a full hour exploring every corner. A great spot for macro enthusiasts too, with plenty of nudibranchs and flatworms clinging to the metalwork.

Location
Sodwana Bay, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-28.900000, 32.000000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
11m

Wreck History - AURORA

Year Sunk
1975
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
unknown

In October 1975, the fishing vessel Aurora, under the command of Skipper Petrus Viviers, met her end in the warm waters off Sodwana Bay. Her final voyage from Durban was reportedly plagued by persistent engine trouble. According to a crewman's report, the vessel was left drifting helplessly at the mercy of the Indian Ocean currents before she ultimately sank. The exact cause of the sinking after she began to drift remains unclear, but her fate was sealed by the initial mechanical failure.

Lying in just 11 meters of water, the Aurora is now a fantastic artificial reef and one of Sodwana's more accessible wreck sites. Its shallow depth makes it an ideal dive for all certification levels, from beginners to seasoned photographers looking for long bottom times in excellent light. Over the decades, the wreck has been thoroughly colonized by vibrant corals and is now home to a dense population of reef fish. Divers can expect to be surrounded by schools of snapper, fusiliers, and angelfish, and should keep an eye out for moray eels and scorpionfish hiding within the wreck's structure.

Marine Protected Area: Richards Bay Game Reserve

Best Time to Dive in Sodwana Bay

The warmest water temperatures in Sodwana Bay occur in January, averaging 28.1°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.1°C (air: 25.1°C)
  • February: 28.1°C (air: 25.2°C)
  • March: 28.1°C (air: 24.5°C)
  • April: 28.1°C (air: 22.7°C)
  • May: 28.1°C (air: 21.1°C)
  • June: 28.1°C (air: 19.1°C)
  • July: 28.1°C (air: 18.8°C)
  • August: 28.1°C (air: 19.5°C)
  • September: 28.1°C (air: 20.6°C)
  • October: 28.1°C (air: 21.6°C)
  • November: 28.1°C (air: 23.3°C)
  • December: 28.1°C (air: 24.6°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Sodwana Bay

Nearest Dive Centres to AURORA

Marine Life in Sodwana Bay

Home to 579 recorded species including 443 reef fish, 49 sharks & rays, 35 hard corals, 12 seagrass & algae, 8 crabs & lobsters, 7 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for AURORA

Based on average water temperature of 28.1°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°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