Shipwrecks in False Bay

Shipwrecks along the False Bay coastline from Cape Point to Gordon’s Bay

False Bay has been a busy anchorage and shipping route for centuries, but its sheltered appearance can be deceptive. Storms, reefs, poor visibility, navigational errors and accidents have claimed vessels ranging from historic sailing ships to modern fishing vessels and naval craft. This collection brings together the recorded shipwrecks of False Bay, including historic losses and deliberately scuttled vessels that now form important artificial reefs and popular dive sites.

Muizenberg Beach & Strandfontein

    • La Penelope (1788) – Grounded on Muizenberg Beach.
    • Camille (1816) – Grounded on Muizenberg Beach.
    • Vrouw Ida Alida (1818) – Wrecked at Muizenberg Beach.
    • Cockburn (1823) – Grounded on Muizenberg Beach.
    • Padang (1828) – Grounded on Muizenberg Beach.
    • La Camille (1836) – Wrecked on Muizenberg Beach.
    • Admiral Cockburn (1839) – Grounded on Muizenberg Beach.
    • Le Protee (1839) – Grounded at Strandfontein.
    • Felix Vincidor (1841) – Wrecked on Muizenberg Beach.
    • Johanna Wagner (1862) – Grounded at Strandfontein.
    • Bulby (1968) – Scuttled near Muizenberg.

 Simon’s Town & Simon’s Bay

    • Katwijk aan den Rijn (1786) – Grounded at Simon’s Bay.
    • Drie Gebroeders (1792) – Grounded in Simon’s Bay.
    • Crescent (1796) – Grounded in Simon’s Bay.
    • Atalante (1806) – Wrecked at Simon’s Town.
    • Bato (1806) – Destroyed at Simon’s Town.
    • Phoenix (1829) – Wrecked at Simon’s Town.
    • Badger (1833) – Grounded in Simon’s Bay.
    • Flying Dragon (1855) – Wrecked in Simon’s Bay.
    • Camperdown (1890) – Wrecked at Simon’s Town.
    • Clan Stuart (1914) – Grounded at Mackerel Beach.
    • HMS Thames (1947) – Scuttled near Simon’s Town.
    • Capetiques (1992) – Wrecked at Simon’s Town.
    • Misty Moon (1993) – Grounded at Long Beach.
    • SAS Pietermaritzburg (1994) – Scuttled at Simon’s Town.

 Kalk Bay

    • Rex (1903) – Wrecked at Kalk Bay.
    • Fetlar (1993) – Wrecked at Kalk Bay Harbour.
    • Harry (1993) – Wrecked at Kalk Bay Harbour.
    • KB 90 (1993) – Wrecked at Kalk Bay Harbour.
    • Sea Lion (1993) – Wrecked at Kalk Bay.

 Strand, Gordon’s Bay & Swartklip

    • Drietal Handelaars (1789) – Grounded at Swartklip.
    • Benjamin (1800) – Wrecked at Gordon’s Bay.
    • Robert (1847) – Wrecked at Lourens River mouth.
    • Benefactress (1870) – Wrecked at Lourens River mouth.

Open False Bay, Scarborough & Smitswinkel Bay 

  • Colebrooke (1778) – Intentionally scuttled in False Bay.
  • Hollandia (1890) – Wrecked in False Bay.
  • Lucania (1893) – Wrecked in False Bay.
  • Barge 1 (1966) – Scuttled in False Bay.
  • SAS Bloemfontein (1967) – Scuttled in False Bay.
  • Iolite (1969) – Scuttled in False Bay.
  • Godetia (1970) – Scuttled in False Bay.
  • Borella (1971) – Scuttled in False Bay.
  • SAS Fleur (1965) – Wrecked in the middle of the bay.
  • P87 (1977) – Scuttled in False Bay.
  • Barge 3 (1978) – Wrecked in False Bay.
  • Good Hope (1978) – Scuttled in Smitswinkel Bay.
  • Transvaal (1978) – Scuttled in Smitswinkel Bay.
  • P1551 (2002) – Wrecked at Scarborough.

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