Algoa Bay · South Africa · Wreck · Artificial reef
Haerlem
A scuttled navy vessel small enough to cover in one dive
Area photo: Mig Gilbert · CC BY-SA 2.0
The Haerlem is a navy vessel scuttled in Algoa Bay in 1987 and now lying in 18 to 21 m of water. At about 18 m long it is a small site that can be comprehensively visited on a single dive, and at times the whole wreck can be seen from the surface. Coral and sponges grow on the structure and pajama sharks are often seen inside the wreckage.
Also known as SAS Haerlem.
Where it is and how deep
33.9889° S, 25.6980° EPublished position for this site.
The dive
The Haerlem is about ten minutes by boat from the harbour, or five from Hobie Beach, and the wreck sits between 18 and 21 m. At times the whole of it can be seen from the surface, so the descent drops you straight onto structure rather than hunting along a reef for the start of the dive. No site-specific hazards are reported for it and no special skills are listed.
It is a small site, roughly 18 m of vessel, and one dive covers it comprehensively, which leaves time to look properly instead of swimming laps. Coral and sponges have grown over the plating, and pajama sharks are often seen inside the wreckage, so the openings are worth a torch. With the deepest point at 21 m there is bottom time for a slow second circuit before heading up.
The wreck
- Vessel
- SAS Haerlem
- Type
- Navy vessel
- Length
- 18 m (59 ft)
- Sunk
- 1987
- Cause
- Deliberately scuttled
- Lies
- In 18 to 21 m of water; at times the whole wreck can be seen from the surface.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Season follows Algoa Bay: June and July bring the best visibility but also the coldest water; ragged-tooth sharks are in the Bay from November to May.
Questions divers ask
How deep is the Haerlem wreck?+
The wreck lies between 18 and 21 m, about ten minutes by boat from the harbour, and at roughly 18 m long it is small enough to be visited comprehensively on a single dive.
Sources
- Diving in Port Elizabeth — Wikivoyage
In The Logbook
- Ships sunk on purpose, and where to dive themWrecks · 14 min read
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