Exploring Wreck Freediving in False Bay, Cape Town
30 March 2023
Wrecks in the Deep - Cape Town Freediving
Wreck freediving is an exhilarating activity that allows divers to explore sunken ships and witness history first-hand. False Bay, located in Cape Town, South Africa, is a popular destination for wreck freediving enthusiasts. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the prominent wrecks in False Bay and offer tips for safe and responsible wreck freediving.
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False Bay is home to several fascinating shipwrecks, each with its own unique story. One of the most well-known wrecks is the SAS Pietermaritzburg, a former South African Navy frigate that was intentionally sunk in 1994 to create an artificial reef. The wreck lies in approximately 30 meters of water and is home to a variety of marine life, including colorful nudibranchs, schools of fish, and even the occasional octopus.
KeatZA Brilliant instructors. The Apnea Addicts team look after you through the entire process and ensure that you are comfortable in the water and understand the fundamentals of the sport. Reece Truter One of the best experiences I have had with a dive shop. I was blown away by how beautiful the African Sea Forest was and had many amazing dives from shore entry and off a boat all during my freediving course and improving my skills, reaching new depths and learning how to do it all safely. Amber McLeod Charl and Brit are amazing instructors :) Doing my freediving instructor course with them. Super patient people and they have very adaptable teaching styles that will suit anyone. Very fun course! Leroux Cloete Best in the business, took my free diving to the next level and will recommend it to anyone looking to dive safer and improve their diving. YB Naidoo Gareth did such an amazing job with Mischka, he reads people extremely accurately and helps them accordingly. I seriously recommend Gareth and his team if you value patience and understanding. Thanks for the breathtaking experience guys, well done! Boy de Jonge Did my 4 day Open Water Course, both Gareth and Indi are very nice, highly qualified and know where to go for the best Cape Town dive spots. Highly recommend! Jonathan Müller Great communication. Great instructor. My son loved it. Google rating score: 4.9 of 5,
based on 43 reviews
Paradise424988701722023-11-09 Amazing diving and skill improving. I had such an amazing time in Cape Town while being shown around with Apnea Addicts Freediving. We visited many dive sites via shore and boat. All while improving my diving skills on freediving courses. GoPlaces672630331242023-11-07 Amazing Charl and Brit are amazing instructors :) Doing my freediving instructor course with them and they have very adaptable teaching styles that will suit anyone. Very fun course! Passport382107415302023-11-07 Spear fishing trip Beautiful waters and friendly cow sharks + friendly charles. Will recommend this to anyone. Gona come back again for sure. Leroux C2023-11-07 If you are a free diver this is a must!!! Best in the business, took my free diving to the next level and will recommend it to anyone looking to dive safer and improve their diving. Hayley C2021-05-13 Amazing shore dives with great people! I was recommended this dive shop by a local and it was the best choice I could have made! It’s a small company, so you get an intimate, personalized experience. Joe was a fantastic coordinator and extremely knowledgeable about the sites and marine life. Philippe was my dive buddy and helped me feel really comfortable and took great care of me on our dives. We saw incredible kelp forests, beautiful coral, nudibranchs of many kinds, swam through rock formations, and a friendly seal even came by and gave us a quick show. I’m so glad I chose to dive in SA, and I’m even happier I picked Cape Town Dive Centre. Thank you Joe and Philippe!! Tarryn B2021-05-07 PADI Open Water & Advanced Open Water courses - an unforgettable experience When I finally decided that it was time to learn to scuba dive (something I’d wanted to do for years), I signed up for the Open Water Course with the Cape Town Dive Centre because of a friend's recommendation. From the minute the Open Water Course started, I loved everything about it! My instructor, Joe, was fun but also incredibly efficient and an excellent teacher. The course was quite difficult and complex so I wouldn't have wanted to do it with just anyone. However, because of the way Joe taught and helped us under the water, I felt totally safe and calm. By the end of the course I was totally hooked on scuba diving! So much so, in fact, that a couple of months later I returned to the Cape Town Dive Centre to do my Advanced Open Water Course. For anyone who intends on continuing to scuba dive after completing the Open Water Course, I would strongly recommend doing the Advanced Open Water Course too. This course really expanded my knowledge and improved my capabilities, ultimately making me a much more competent and confident diver – with much improved buoyancy and air consumption as an added bonus! So, if the above isn't already clear, let me say this: I would highly recommend going to the Cape Town Dive Centre to start and/or continue your diving journey! All of the staff are friendly and super well qualified, and will go out of their way to accommodate you and any concerns you may have. You are bound to have a phenomenal experience – in the water and out of it! Claude Visagie2021-04-10 First scuba dive What an amazing experience. Friendly instructors that are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Would recommend this to anyone visiting Cape Town and to all the locals!! Andrew Scott2021-03-09 PADI open water diver course Just completed a PADI open water diving course with Cape Town Dive Centre. Was an amazing experience and loved every minute of it! Staff very professional and drilled us on every important aspect of the course. Great value for money and can really recommend it to anyone wanting to get into SCUBA BoardingPass7609572021-02-08 You haven't lived if you haven't tried scuba diving! Our diving instructor Joe was already waiting for us with our gear when we arrived, which was great. He was very patient and helpful and made 200% sure we had all the basic skills mastered. I couldn't complete my dive, but he continued with my son, who is now totally hooked on scuba diving. I'm giving the experience 4 out of 5 as it was too short, a 4-hour experience was advertised and it was under 2-hours from arriving to leaving (trying to get into the wet suits and the instructions was about an hour). I can wholeheartedly recommend this and trust me, you are in SAVE hands with these people, they know what they are doing and know how to handle emergencies. Thank you, Joe! bhbruwer2020-11-07 Great Experience! Great experience with friendly staff that makes you feel at ease throughout the dive. Will definitely recommend CTDC! Thanks Gareth!
Wrecks sunk on purpose
Sometimes Wrecks are sunk to the ocean floor on purpose. First they are scuttled, which means to be cleaned of all chemicals and parts that are hazardous to the sea. The ship is then towed to a specific location, sometimes a reef that already exists, or sometimes in order to create a structure for travelling bottomfish to spawn and breed.Â
Some of our favourite wrecks?
Another popular wreck in False Bay is the MV Rockeater, a Norwegian bulk carrier that sank in 1978 after hitting a reef. The wreck now sits in approximately 32 meters of water and is home to an abundance of marine life, including schools of yellowtail, rays, and even a resident sevengill shark.
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The SAS Good Hope, a former South African Navy cruiser, is another prominent wreck in False Bay. The ship was intentionally sunk in 1988 as an artificial reef and now sits in approximately 33 meters of water. While the wreck is not as intact as some of the others in the area, it is still home to an array of marine life, including sea fans, anemones, and colourful soft corals.
While exploring these wrecks can be an incredible experience, it’s important to do so safely and responsibly. Proper training and experience are essential, and divers should always dive with a buddy who is trained in wreck freediving safety. It’s also important to respect the marine life and environment and avoid disturbing any artifacts or historical relics.
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Additionally, it’s important to dive within your skill level and only attempt wrecks that are within your depth range. Divers should also be aware of their air consumption and surface regularly to avoid running out of air or experiencing decompression sickness. Wreck freediving in False Bay offers a unique opportunity to explore history and witness marine life in its natural habitat. By following safe and responsible diving practices, divers can enjoy the thrill of exploring these fascinating wrecks while protecting themselves and the environment.
What species live in the Wrecks in Cape Town?
Wrecks often act similar to kelp forests and are a haven for a wide variety of marine life. The structure provides shelter and protection for many different species, while the surrounding waters provide a source of food and nutrients. The marine life found in the wrecks is incredibly diverse, and visitors can expect to encounter a wide range of fascinating creatures.
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In the wrecks around Cape Town, there are several species that are particularly abundant. These include species of shark, rock lobster, and various species of fish, such as the barbel and the Red Roman.
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Rock lobster, also known as spiny lobster, is another popular species that is commonly found in the kelp forests of Cape Town. They are a type of crustacean that are highly sought after for their meat, which is a delicacy in many parts of the world.
Various species of fish, including the Red Roman and the hottentot, also call the wrecks of Cape Town home. These fish are an important source of food for many of the larger predators in the ecosystem, such as seals and sharks.
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KeatZA Brilliant instructors. The Apnea Addicts team look after you through the entire process and ensure that you are comfortable in the water and understand the fundamentals of the sport. Reece Truter One of the best experiences I have had with a dive shop. I was blown away by how beautiful the African Sea Forest was and had many amazing dives from shore entry and off a boat all during my freediving course and improving my skills, reaching new depths and learning how to do it all safely. Amber McLeod Charl and Brit are amazing instructors :) Doing my freediving instructor course with them. Super patient people and they have very adaptable teaching styles that will suit anyone. Very fun course! Leroux Cloete Best in the business, took my free diving to the next level and will recommend it to anyone looking to dive safer and improve their diving. YB Naidoo Gareth did such an amazing job with Mischka, he reads people extremely accurately and helps them accordingly. I seriously recommend Gareth and his team if you value patience and understanding. Thanks for the breathtaking experience guys, well done! Boy de Jonge Did my 4 day Open Water Course, both Gareth and Indi are very nice, highly qualified and know where to go for the best Cape Town dive spots. Highly recommend! Jonathan Müller Great communication. Great instructor. My son loved it. Google rating score: 4.9 of 5,
based on 43 reviews
Paradise424988701722023-11-09 Amazing diving and skill improving. I had such an amazing time in Cape Town while being shown around with Apnea Addicts Freediving. We visited many dive sites via shore and boat. All while improving my diving skills on freediving courses. GoPlaces672630331242023-11-07 Amazing Charl and Brit are amazing instructors :) Doing my freediving instructor course with them and they have very adaptable teaching styles that will suit anyone. Very fun course! Passport382107415302023-11-07 Spear fishing trip Beautiful waters and friendly cow sharks + friendly charles. Will recommend this to anyone. Gona come back again for sure. Leroux C2023-11-07 If you are a free diver this is a must!!! Best in the business, took my free diving to the next level and will recommend it to anyone looking to dive safer and improve their diving. Hayley C2021-05-13 Amazing shore dives with great people! I was recommended this dive shop by a local and it was the best choice I could have made! It’s a small company, so you get an intimate, personalized experience. Joe was a fantastic coordinator and extremely knowledgeable about the sites and marine life. Philippe was my dive buddy and helped me feel really comfortable and took great care of me on our dives. We saw incredible kelp forests, beautiful coral, nudibranchs of many kinds, swam through rock formations, and a friendly seal even came by and gave us a quick show. I’m so glad I chose to dive in SA, and I’m even happier I picked Cape Town Dive Centre. Thank you Joe and Philippe!! Tarryn B2021-05-07 PADI Open Water & Advanced Open Water courses - an unforgettable experience When I finally decided that it was time to learn to scuba dive (something I’d wanted to do for years), I signed up for the Open Water Course with the Cape Town Dive Centre because of a friend's recommendation. From the minute the Open Water Course started, I loved everything about it! My instructor, Joe, was fun but also incredibly efficient and an excellent teacher. The course was quite difficult and complex so I wouldn't have wanted to do it with just anyone. However, because of the way Joe taught and helped us under the water, I felt totally safe and calm. By the end of the course I was totally hooked on scuba diving! So much so, in fact, that a couple of months later I returned to the Cape Town Dive Centre to do my Advanced Open Water Course. For anyone who intends on continuing to scuba dive after completing the Open Water Course, I would strongly recommend doing the Advanced Open Water Course too. This course really expanded my knowledge and improved my capabilities, ultimately making me a much more competent and confident diver – with much improved buoyancy and air consumption as an added bonus! So, if the above isn't already clear, let me say this: I would highly recommend going to the Cape Town Dive Centre to start and/or continue your diving journey! All of the staff are friendly and super well qualified, and will go out of their way to accommodate you and any concerns you may have. You are bound to have a phenomenal experience – in the water and out of it! Claude Visagie2021-04-10 First scuba dive What an amazing experience. Friendly instructors that are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Would recommend this to anyone visiting Cape Town and to all the locals!! Andrew Scott2021-03-09 PADI open water diver course Just completed a PADI open water diving course with Cape Town Dive Centre. Was an amazing experience and loved every minute of it! Staff very professional and drilled us on every important aspect of the course. Great value for money and can really recommend it to anyone wanting to get into SCUBA BoardingPass7609572021-02-08 You haven't lived if you haven't tried scuba diving! Our diving instructor Joe was already waiting for us with our gear when we arrived, which was great. He was very patient and helpful and made 200% sure we had all the basic skills mastered. I couldn't complete my dive, but he continued with my son, who is now totally hooked on scuba diving. I'm giving the experience 4 out of 5 as it was too short, a 4-hour experience was advertised and it was under 2-hours from arriving to leaving (trying to get into the wet suits and the instructions was about an hour). I can wholeheartedly recommend this and trust me, you are in SAVE hands with these people, they know what they are doing and know how to handle emergencies. Thank you, Joe! bhbruwer2020-11-07 Great Experience! Great experience with friendly staff that makes you feel at ease throughout the dive. Will definitely recommend CTDC! Thanks Gareth!
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