There are many wonderful artificial reefs around the world, and as anyone who has dived the wrecks that lie beneath the placid waters in the middle of Smitswinkel Bay, which is also sometimes called Smits Winkel Bay, can attest, this massive set of five shipwrecks offers fun and adventure to all who make the trip.
As the five ships that make up the artificial reef were scuttled by South Africa’s navy with the express intention of forming an artificial reef, they are not underwater memorials or burial grounds. Rather, they are a valuable addition to the seascape and they provide shelter for fish and small creatures of every kind!
Diving Conditions
Smitswinkel Bay is a nicely sheltered location, and there is rarely a strong surge during the winter months when the wrecks are dived. Strong surge during heavy weather keeps the artificial reef fairly clear of silt, which helps to keep features recognizable. The average maximum depth here is thirty-five meters, although some features do lie at forty meters. The temperature is cold – just 15°C, so be prepared for a chilly descent. Visibility can be as much as ten meters however, it is advisable to bring a strong light so you can enjoy the wrecks to full potential. Nitrogen narcosis can be an issue at this temperature and depth so Trimix is the gas of choice for these wrecks.
The Ships
One of the most interesting parts of wreck diving is, for most of us, the history behind the ships we love to explore. Let’s take a brief trip through time, and peek into the backgrounds of these five massive ships that now offer us unlimited adventure and excitement!
SAS Good Hope
The Good Hope was a Fast Frigate, launched July 5th, 1944. The fourth South African commonwealth ship to bear that name, she was almost 94 meters long, and just about twelve meters across. Between the time she began her missions and the time she was scuttled via explosives in 1978, SAS Good Hope saw plenty of action. She carried troops to Iceland, performed ceremonial duties, and conducted training and transport missions for many years.
Today, the wreck of the Good Hope lies ten metes from the wreck of the Princess Elizabeth, and, while she is upright, she is corroding faster and faster. The wreck was once fairly penetrable, however, the main deck and lattice mast have mostly collapsed and the interior spaces, while tempting, are considered to be dangerously unstable.
Trawler Princess Elizabeth
Built in 1961, the MFV Trawler Princess Elizabeth was added to the artificial reef in 1983 after being damaged beyond repair due to an engine room fire. Today, she lists to starboard, with her topline being accessible at twenty-eight meters and her keel resting at thirty-six meters. Once a sturdy fishing boat of almost 42 meters long and nearly 9 meters across, she carried a crew of twenty, and fished off South Africa’s coast for years. So far, there are lots of invertebrates living onboard, but not much in the way of plant life. You can peek into her confines, however, penetration is not advisable.
SAS Transvaal
The SAS Transvaal is one of Good Hope’s sister ships, and was scuttled with explosives in 1978, and is fairly broken up. During her lifespan above water, she served as a royal escort and troop transport ship, and she also participated in scientific studies.
Today, she has corroded and broken up. Unlike the Good Hope, she is covered in intriguing marine life, and it is easy to see lots of mechanical aspects without penetrating the wreck. If you are tempted to go into the spaces, it is important to realize that this ship is deteriorating rapidly (you’ll probably hear a creaking sound as you explore the outer portion of the wreck) and there are sharp hazards as well as cables inside which could cause entanglement.
Transvaal lies in close proximity to the Orotava, which is located just a few meters of Transvaal’s Starboard side. Maximum depth here is thirty-four meters, and the main deck is accessible at twenty-nine meters.
MFV Orotava
From 1958 to 1983, MFV Oratava and her crew of up to twenty-four worked as a fishing trawler along South Africa’s coast. In 1983, after years of deterioration, the fishing vessel was finally donated to the False Bay Conservation Society. An impressive fifty meters long and 9 meters wide, this wreck is in fairly good condition and lies on the sandy seabed at 34 meters. The highest point, the funnel, is at a little more than 22 meters, and the gunwales are between 25 and 27 meters.
Experienced wreck divers can enter the wreck’s superstructure from the forward end, which is just above the still-recognizable winch. There are some holes in the hull and an open hatch on the deck, however, these spaces are tight and are just not worth the risk of entrapment or entanglement.
Rockeater
The Rockeater, or Rock Eater, lies beyond the bow of the SAS Good Hope. Built in 1945 in New Orleans, the ship served as a United States Navy coastal freighter for several years until she was purchased by South Africa’s Scean Science and Engineering Company in 1964. Equipped with twin bowthrusters and tin propellers, this incredible 65 meter ship was essentially a massive precision instrument, which could be positioned within eight meters accuracy.
For twelve years, the Rockeater conducted surveys and mapped the ocean floor. She was scuttled in 1972. Today, you’ll find the vessel at 34 meters, maximum. To the northwest, you’ll see the ship’s drilling derrick, and you will notice large gaps throughout the decks.
Although some divers decide to penetrate this wreck, it is deteriorating rapidly and penetration is not advisable. There is plenty to see outside the dangerous confines of the ship’s interior!
Getting There
Once you arrive, you may see pajama sharks, gas flame nudibranchs, walking sea anemone, and feather stars, as well as branching coral on and around the wrecks. Local dive operators are experts at outfitting traveling divers who wish to explore these incredible wrecks, and they are more than happy to help you get your diving skills to the point where you can enjoy these somewhat deep dives with less risk and more confidence.