- Best time to dive: Summer months (November to February) offer the best visibility, often exceeding 20 meters.
- Access: Boat access only.
- Experience level: Suitable for freedivers, open water divers, and advanced divers.
- What to expect: Cold water (7-12°C), good visibility, diverse marine life, two wrecks to explore.
- Gear: Gloves, hood, and thicker wetsuit or drysuit are recommended.
History of the Bos400 and SS Oakburn Wrecks
Imagine diving through the underwater realm, encountering not one, but two shipwrecks from different eras. This is the unique adventure awaiting you at the Bos400 and SS Oakburn dive site near Hout Bay in Cape Town, South Africa.
 Image by: Nicolene Olckers
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 Image by: Nicolene Olckers
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A Tale of Two Wrecks:
SS Oakburn: This British cargo steamer met its fate on 21 May 1906 during a voyage from New York to Sydney, succumbing to a foggy night and treacherous waters. Resting deeper at 25 meters, its remains tell a story of maritime history, with scattered cargo like railway lines and glassware hinting at its past voyage.
Bos400: A French giant, this crane and pipelaying barge met its match in a storm on 27 June 1994. Now a Cape Town landmark, it rises dramatically from the rocks, a testament to its former industrial might. Divers can explore its cavernous stern, a playground of light and shadow.
A Dive for All Levels:
From freedivers to advanced scuba enthusiasts, the Bos400 and SS Oakburn cater to diverse diving experiences. The accessible depth and calm conditions make it ideal for introductory wreck dives as well as advanced wreck dives.
Nature’s Bounty:
Beyond the wrecks, the site teems with vibrant marine life. Kelp forests sway around the Bos400, as nature slowly takes over.
This dive is a bustling crustacean metropolis, where hundreds of West Coast rock lobsters have claimed the wrecks as their own. Their bright orange claws scurry over rusted metal, adding a splash of color to the underwater scene. One can’t help but feel a pang of hunger amidst such abundance, a testament to the site’s thriving ecosystem.
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But the feast for the eyes extends beyond the lobsters. Look closely, and you’ll spot rocksuckers clinging to the hull, their bizarre forms defying description. Nudibranchs, in a kaleidoscope of hues, shimmy along the wreckage, and shy sharks peek out from crevices, their watchful eyes adding a touch of intrigue. Octopuses, masters of disguise, might even weave their way through the scene, leaving divers both fascinated and a little on edge.
On lucky days, you might even encounter a curious seals, playful dolphins a majestic humpback whale or sunfish, adding an extra dose of wonder to your dive.
Ready for an unforgettable underwater adventure? Contact us and prepare to be awestruck by the Bos400 and SS Oakburn, where history and marine life collide in a spectacular dive experience.
