Book cheap Mango flights to check out the shipwrecks of the Cape!
The Cape of Good Hope is a worthy part of SA to visit. In fact, it was first aptly called “The Cape of Storms” by explorer, Bartholomeu Dias who experienced the stormy coast-line first-hand. Many ships and their captains perished along the stormy coast of the Cape, and today, the shipwrecks that remain serve as a reminder of the brave men who faced those ferocious storms and turned the Cape into what it is today.
If you’re a keen diver or simply want to explore and witness some of South Africa’s shipwrecks, book yourself some cheap Mango flights and head to Cape of Good Hope! Of course, the shipwrecks that you will see aren’t all those of explorers and discoverers. Some of them are slave-trade ships and provide a bleak reminder of the evils of the past, while others are simply transport ships and tankers that just couldn’t complete the journey through some of stormy high seas of the Cape.
Cheap Domestic Flights South Africa will get you to the Cape to explore our most Historical and Memorable Shipwrecks
The Cape has a history that seems accented with a number of great shipwrecks which can now be seen dotting the shoreline. If you live outside of Cape town and have neverhad the opportunity to visit some of the most renowned or infamous shipwrecks of the Cape, now is the time to get your hands on cheap Mango flights and check them out for yourself. Here are a few of our favourites:
The HMS Birkenhead
This great ship ran into a submerged rock in 1852, while en route to Algoa Bay. The ship was carrying British troops and civilians. There were 643 crew and passengers on board. Only 193 survived. The wreck can now be seen in Danger Point, Gansbaai, and is only accessible by divers. The rocks at Danger Point where the ship met its end now features a lighthouse and a commemorative plaque.
Sao Jose Paquete Africa
Camps Bay Coast
This slavery ship ran into rocks about 100m from the shore in Camps Bay in 1794. The captain and crew all survived along with some of the slaves, 212 of whom were then sold in the Cape Colony. Tragically, the rest of the slaves below deck were left to drown. The shipwreck was only discovered by divers in 1980. The wreckage can be accessed by divers from the shore in Clifton. Remnants of the shipwreck can be found on display at the Iziko Slave Lodge Museum.
SS Thomas T Tucker
Olifansbos Coast – Cape Nature Reserve
This ship was on her maiden voyage in 1942 bound for North Africa when she met her demise off the Olifantsbos coast, inside the Cape Nature Reserve. The SS Thomas T Tucker was used to transport supplies and troops in the Allied war effort. While avoiding German U-boats the ship met with thick fog and ranaground when the ship was off compass by 3 degrees. All on board survived the wreck.
Sightings of the shipwreck can be seen at the Cape Point Nature Reserve. Parts of the ship can be seen along the beach at Cape Point and these vessel chunks make up part of the Cape Point Shipwreck Trail, which is a must if time is in your favour.
Soares Shipwreck
Between Mossel Bay and Dana Bay
After Batholomeu Dias, the first explorer to round the Cape, LopoSoares de Albergaria became the first to lose an entire ship in the Cape in 1505. Soares was not on board when it sank, but the ship had seemingly run aground during the night and was sighted by Soare’s fleet. There is no record of what might have happened to the passengers or crew on board. All that was found a year later was a mast and a skeleton. The shipwreck is located between Mossel Bay and Dana Bay.
Antipolis
Camps Bay
In 1977, the great Antipolis, bound for Taiwan’s scrap heap from Greece, hauled by the Kiyo Maru 2, ran into strong winds while approaching Robben Island. Both the Antipolis and Kiyo Maru 2 blew ashore. The remains of the Antipolis can be seen above the water’s surface in Camps Bay. You can get quite a good view of the wreck from the entrance of the Twelve Apostles Hotel. It’s also a popular dive site, for the more adventurous. As the wreck is situated in the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area, divers planning to visit it need a permit first.
Other Shipwrecks in the Cape
If you’re booking your Mango flights with the purpose of shipwreck hunting, you are in for a real treat.. Along the Cape coast you can also see the following shipwrecks:
- Commodore II shipwreck – Milnerton.
- SS Clan Stuart – Mackerel Beach.
- SS Kakapo – Noordhoek.
- Bos 400 – Duiker Point near Sandy Bay.
- The Arniston – the Wreckage is on display at Bredasdorp Shipwreck Museum.
Learn More About the Cape’s Shipwrecks, Thanks to Mango
WithMango flights and other leading local airlines offering cheap ticketsto Cape Town, exploring the coastline’s shipwrecks and other historical points of interest is more affordable and accessible than ever before.
Find your cheap domestic flights online with Domestic Flights SA today!