Shipwrecks along the Overberg and Whale Coast

Where rugged coastlines and treacherous seas left a legacy of lost ships

The Overberg and Whale Coast stretch along some of the Western Cape’s most dramatic and exposed shoreline. Strong winds, heavy seas, reefs and limited visibility made these waters hazardous for early mariners, leaving behind a fascinating collection of shipwrecks. From historic sailing vessels to more recent losses, these wrecks form an important part of the region’s maritime history.

Betty’s Bay, Kleinmond & Cape Hangklip

    • De Grundel (1673) – Grounded at Betty’s Bay.
    • Ternate (1680) – Wrecked at Cape Hangklip.
    • Meridian (1828) – Wrecked near Betty’s Bay.
    • Adventurer (1843) – Wrecked at Kleinmond.
    • Telegraph (1872) – Wrecked at Cape Hangklip.
    • Louise Scheller (1882) – Wrecked at Cape Hangklip.
    • Gustav Adolph (1902) – Wrecked at Kleinmond.
    • Bellona (1912) – Wrecked at Stony Bay.
    • Natal (1916) – Wrecked at Cape Hangklip.
    • Imp (1920) – Wrecked at Cape Hangklip.
    • Una (1929) – Wrecked at Stony Point.

 Gansbaai & Danger Point

    • Birkenhead (1852) – Wrecked at Gansbaai.
    • Albert (1857) – Wrecked at Danger Point.
    • John and James (1844) – Grounded at Danger Point.
    • Lucy (1864) – Wrecked near Birkenhead Rock.
    • Knight of Snowdown (1867) – Wrecked at Danger Point.
    • Teuton (1881) foundered near Danger Point
    • Boela (1905) – Wrecked at Danger Point.
    • John Paterson (1905) – Wrecked at Danger Point.
    • Tasmania (1912) – Wrecked at Danger Point.
    • Tyndereus (1917) – Wrecked at Danger Point.
    • Bulwark (1963) – Wrecked at Danger Point.
    • Felicia II (1973) – Wrecked at Danger Point.
    • Frontalini (1975) – Wrecked at Danger Point.
    • Stromgans (1975) – Wrecked at Danger Point.
    • Seegans (1991) – Wrecked at Gansbaai.
    • Sneeugans (1993) – Wrecked at Gansbaai.
    • Ellis S (2017) – Wrecked at Danger Point.

 Dyer Island

    • Linnaeus (1834) – Wrecked at Dyer Island.
    • George (1831) – Wrecked at Dyer Island.
    • Elizabeth A Oliver (1873) – Grounded at Walker Bay.
    • Charmer (1877) – Wrecked at Dyer Island.
    • Emelia (1877) – Wrecked at Dyer Island.
    • Clyde (1879) – Wrecked at Dyer Island.
    • Kolstrop (1883) – Wrecked at Dyer Island.
    • Imerina (1885) – Wrecked at Dyer Island.
    • Princeport Reef (1885) – Wrecked at Dyer Island.
    • Adele (1888) – Wrecked at Dyer Island.
    • Hektor (1913) – Wrecked at Dyer Island.
    • Jimmy le Roux (1938) – Wrecked at Dyer Island.
    • Hannington Court (1941) – Wrecked at Dyer Island.

 Hermanus, Walker Bay & De Kelders

  • Bokkie (1959) – Grounded near Hermanus.
  • John (1803) – Wrecked at De Kelders.
  • Malton (1841) – Wrecked near Hermanus.
  • Pisa (1879) – Grounded at Bot River Mouth.
  • Zuiderkruis (1959) – Wrecked near Hermanus.
  • Prins Willem (1992) – Wrecked at Skulphoek.
  • Connect (2014) – Wrecked at Voëlklip Beach.

Open Overberg, Rivers & Eastward Coast

    • Sarpine (1691) – Wrecked on Overberg coast.
    • Sir William Heathcote (1841) – Grounded at Breede River Mouth.
    • P X de Wet (1972) – Wrecked at Boesmans River mouth.
    • Texanita (1922) – Collided near Stilbaai.
    • Faidherbe (1954) – Wrecked at Stilbaai.
    • River Plate (1878) – Grounded at Buffeljags River Mouth.
    • Shela (1979) – Wrecked at Skuins Bay.

Discover the story of shipwrecks around the Western Cape in chronological order or search shipwrecks by region; alternatively, explore the alphabetical list