After an exciting first day exploring the Bos 400 and SS Maori wrecks outside Hout Bay, we were eager to discover what lay beneath the waters inside the bay. Two more historic vessels awaited us: the MV Aster and the Katsu Maru. These wrecks, while younger than their counterparts from Day One, have their own fascinating stories and unique underwater environments.
If you haven't yet, Read Part 1
Day Two
As we left the harbor, I was better prepared for today's cold-water photography. I know from experience that it’s best to remain adaptable when exploring new dive sites, though I had some shots in mind.
I smiled at the big seal on the jetty basking in the sun with closed eyes and nose pointed to the sky like a yogi in the cobra pose. There was an excited vibe on the boat, and everyone was ready to discover more wrecks.
The boat ride was brief—just 2km inside the bay to today's dive sites. We kitted up and entered the water, and everyone scrambled to form a group for a picture before we descended.
MV Aster Fishing Trawler Shipwreck
As we followed the shot line down, we were happy to see that the water clarity today was better than yesterday, but the temperature was still the same cold 10°C. These wrecks lie on the sandy bottom, which can often cause very low visibility when stirred by sea conditions.
The Aster is a recent wreck that was intentionally sunk on August 9, 1997, to form an artificial reef for divers at a maximum depth of 28 meters. The ship is in very good condition and upright like a sentinel on the flat sandy seabed. The main deck is at 24 meters, and the mast reaches 9 meters in depth. This is an interesting and colorful wreck to explore.
As we descended onto the ship’s stern, a beautifully decorated handrail overgrown with marine life and lobsters welcoming us became visible.
The ship has interesting typography to explore. We started at the deepest point and shallowed up on the mast. I dropped down to the sandy bottom next to the wreck and took a picture of the diver above me, showing the wreck’s scale.
The wreck is covered in beautiful multi-colored sea fans, sponges, stars, and urchins. It has swim-throughs and interesting corners to explore.
Before being scuttled, the ship was prepared by stripping the interior and cutting access holes, making it a relatively safe wreck for penetration by suitably skilled divers.
As we reached the bow, I hurried to get in front of the divers. I needed enough distance from the wreck to fit the entire bow in my shot. This part of the ship is pretty and colorful and makes a pleasing image.
It was time to move to the mast’s base, where the second group of divers waited in the murky distance. As I got closer, the mast grabbed our attention, scattered with beautiful crowned nudibranchs, which we photographed as we slowly ascended to 9 meters.
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An inquisitive seal swam around us, entertaining us on our safety stop. It only paused for a second to look at me with its big eyes before darting off.
Our dive lasted 35 minutes, enough to explore the wreck’s exterior. I would have wanted to stay longer if the group hadn’t been so cold.
MV Katsu Maru Japanese Trawler Shipwreck
This old shipwreck lies 30 meters from the Aster. They can both be dived in one dive, but we decided to split it into two, giving us time to warm up in between.
Despite a long surface interval of one hour and 45 minutes, we were still cold. The wind blew onto our wet wetsuits, preventing us from warming up in the midday sun. But the cold didn’t overshadow our curiosity, so we geared up for the last dive.
We slowly descend the shot line, and there in the milky blue was the shadowy figure below. As we got closer, we left the shot line and approached the wreck since there was no current and great visibility. We reached the wreck’s highest point at about 21 meters.
The Katsu Maru was a trawler that sank in the 1970s. It lies on its side with the deck superstructure halfway buried in the sand, leaving a large part of the 40-meter hull to explore.
This vessel was sailing in thick fog when it collided with the Norwegian tanker Team Pollux. The entire 21-man crew was saved. It was towed to the beach and sank in a few meters of water. After being surveyed, the repair cost exceeded the hull’s insurance value, so it was decided to tow it offshore and sink it in deep water.
Purple-spined sea urchins dominate the wreck's surface, while vibrant life oases punctuate the hull. Bright-pink strawberry anemones cluster alongside orange dinner-plate-sized sea stars while delicate feather stars and swaying sea fans create an underwater garden.
I reached a depth of about 28 meters, where the flat sandy bottom is, in this 30-minute dive. We slowly ascended with the shot line, and I was sad to leave. As I hung in the water, I felt small in this wide expanse. I switched off my camera and strobes, and the past two days flashed through my memory as we waited 3 minutes at our safety stop.
Conclusion
Our two-day expedition through Hout Bay's underwater museum exceeded expectations. The exceptional visibility showcased these iron giants in their full glory. Each wreck harbors countless intimate scenes perfect for macro photography - from tiny nudibranchs to shy octopuses hiding in the vessels' nooks.
Diving Here
In this area, deepwater upwelling brings colder, cleaner water to the inshore areas. This produces 20 m+ visibility and temperatures down to 8°C; the water is usually between 10° to 12°C. The good visibility usually lasts only a few days, after which plankton bloom may reduce it, particularly towards the surface. Visibility will vary from murky at 2 m to very good at over 20 m.
All these dive sites are deep dives requiring an Advanced Diver certification or certification for 30m dives. Since we had a mixed group with different skill levels, we did not penetrate any wrecks.
For safety, carry a DSMB if you need to surface away from the shot line due to boat traffic. A drysuit is recommended for comfort, but we dived with 7mm wetsuits and an added layer to make 10mm.
Take a dive light; it restores colors and lets you explore the wrecks.
Ready to explore these wrecks? Contact our dive center via our website, social media, or phone to book your adventure. Our experienced team will ensure you have the proper certifications and equipment. We run regular trips to these sites year-round, weather permitting. Join us for a memorable journey through Cape Town's historic shipwrecks.
We Protect what we Love. Join the movement!
by Madelein Wolfaardt
All images ©️ by @sealife_madeleinwolf
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