NEWARK CASTLE - Sodwana Bay

Newark Castle, what a name for a ship that now sits in a mere three metres of water. We know it’s not a deep dive, but don’t let that fool you. This isn’t about depth, it’s about history and a surprising amount of life. The liner ran ashore back in 1908, a proper century-old steel skeleton now just off the Sodwana coast. You won't find a perfectly preserved vessel here; the ocean has had its way with her. Instead, you'll swim over the spread-out remains of a significant ship, her plates and ribs forming a sprawling, shallow reef. Sunlight floods the entire site, illuminating every detail, even on an overcast day. We love how the strong light really brings out the colours of the corals and anemones that have completely taken over the metalwork. This is a fantastic spot for snorkelers or new divers getting comfortable with wrecks. Even experienced divers will appreciate the chance to really slow down, poke around, and soak it all in. Look for the large potato bass lurking in the larger crevices, and schools of juvenile fish flitting through the beams. It’s an easy entry, a relaxing drift over history, and a chance to truly appreciate how quickly nature reclaims what man loses to the sea.

Location: Sodwana Bay, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates: -28.807362, 32.093334
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 3m

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 NEWARK CASTLE

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

Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) - Sharks & Rays
Soldier (Cheimerius nufar) - Reef Fish
Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) - Sharks & Rays
Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) - Reef Fish
Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
Mozambique mouth-breeder (Oreochromis mossambicus) - Reef Fish
Silver moony (Monodactylus argenteus) - Reef Fish
Manini (Acanthurus triostegus) - Reef Fish
African Weakfish (Atractoscion aequidens) - Reef Fish
Dorado (Coryphaena hippurus) - Reef Fish
Hound Needlefish (Tylosurus crocodilus) - Reef Fish
Jack (Selar crumenophthalmus) - Reef Fish
Spangled emperor (Lethrinus nebulosus) - Reef Fish
honeycomb stingray (Himantura uarnak) - Sharks & Rays
loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
Crescent Grunter (Terapon jarbua) - Reef Fish
Blackspot Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigrofuscus) - Reef Fish
Dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) - Reef Fish
Coral Blenny (Istiblennius edentulus) - Reef Fish
Bluefish (Kyphosus vaigiensis) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for NEWARK CASTLE

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