Shipwrecks at Cape Point

Shipwrecks around Cape Point and the rugged southern tip of the Cape Peninsula

Cape Point is one of the most treacherous stretches of coastline in the Western Cape, where powerful currents, rocky shores and unpredictable weather have claimed numerous ships over the centuries. This list of Cape Point shipwrecks includes wrecks around Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope, Buffels Bay and the surrounding coastline, offering a glimpse into the maritime history of this dramatic part of the Cape Peninsula.

Scuttled Vessels

  • Watussi (1939) – Scuttled Cape Point
  • SAS Natal (1972) – Scuttled south of Cape Point
  • Vrystaat (1976) – Scuttled Cape Point
  • SAS Transvaal (1978) Scuttled
  • SAS Good Hope (1978) Scuttled
  • Ker Yar Vor (1979) – Scuttled Cape Point
  • Harvest Warrior (1985) – Scuttled Cape Point
  • Theresa III (1986) – Scuttled Cape Peninsula
  • Harvest Pegasus (1989) – Scuttled Cape Point
  • Pioneer (1991) – Scuttled Cape Point
  • Alkar II (1993) – Scuttled during naval exercise
  • SAS Sekhukhuni (2004) – Scuttled off Cape Point
  • Zinder (2004) – Scuttled off Cape Point
  • René Sethren (2010) – Scuttled off Cape Point

Olifantsbos

    • HMNS Holland (1786) – Olifantsbos, Cape Point
    • Le Napoléon (1805) – Olifantsbos, Cape Point
    • L’Alouette (1817) – Hit Albatross Rock in Olifantsbos
    • Anne (1859) – Olifantsbos
    • Albatross (1863) – Olifantsbos
    • Carlotta B (1886) – Olifantsbos / Platboom Point
    • Catarina Doge (1886) – Olifantsbos
    • Umhlali (1909) – Olifantsbos
    • Bia (1917) – Olifantsbos, Cape Point
    • Thomas T Tucker (1942) – Cape Point (Olifantsbos area). Wartime loss: missed lighthouse due to fog
    • Nolloth (1965) – Olifantsbos probably struck Albatross Rock

Diaz Beach & Platboom

    • La Rozette (1786) – Platboom
    • Carlotta B (1886) – Olifantsbos / Platboom Point
    • Rosebud (1889) – Diaz Beach
    • King Cenric (1903) – Diaz Beach

Cape Point / Open Peninsula

  • Flamingo (1833) – Buffels Bay near Cape Point
  • Aline (1838) – Cape Peninsula
  • Ann Bridson (1859) – Cape Point
  • Asia (1862) – Cape Point
  • Comta (1883) – Cape Point
  • Nukteris (1897) – Cape Point
  • Lusitania (1911) – Could not see the Cape Point lighthouse due to thick fog
  • Tryme (1959) – Cape Point
  • Shir Yib (1970) – Cape Point
  • Benguela Astra (1979) – Cape Point
  • Jan van Riebeeck (1980) – Cape Point
  • Rijnmond IV (1980) – Cape Point
  • SAS President Kruger (1982) – Southwest of Cape Peninsula
  • Lupin (1983) – wrecked at Cape Point
  • Barge 7 (1983) –wrecked at Cape Point
  • Pondoland (1984) –wrecked at Cape Point
  • Harvest Taurus (1989) –wrecked at Cape Point
  • Aubrey (1991) –wrecked at Cape Point
  • President Steyn (1991) – wrecked at Cape Point
  • Harvest Sun (1992) – wrecked at Cape Point
  • Dahlia (1998) –wrecked at Cape Point

Find out about the 1942  U-Boat attacks around this area

Hike the shipwreck trail at Cape Point

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