Nebo Wreck, Aliwal Shoal
The SS Nebo wreck, a British steamboat that sank in 1884, is one of the many victims of Aliwal Shoals. Departing from England and bound for Durban, the ship met its fate near the coast while carrying 4500 tonnes of metal cargo intended for a new railway construction project.
Diving at the SS Nebo wreck offers a chance to encounter a variety of marine life including batfish, barracudas, salmon 'dagga,' stingrays, bull sharks, crocodile sharks, and guitar sharks. The wreck itself rests upside down, partially covered in sand, at a depth of approximately 27m. Despite its condition, the stern and propeller maintain relative preservation, forming a complex structure that serves as a sanctuary for the local marine fauna.
For advanced divers, this dive site presents an exciting opportunity to explore the depths of the SS Nebo wreck. With visibility reaching up to 13m and a maximum depth of 26m, this underwater adventure offers a unique glimpse into maritime history. Located in Widenham, eThekwini Ward 99, Umkomaas, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, 4170, South Africa, the SS Nebo wreck is a must-visit destination for diving enthusiasts in South Africa.
Diving at the SS Nebo wreck offers a chance to encounter a variety of marine life including batfish, barracudas, salmon 'dagga,' stingrays, bull sharks, crocodile sharks, and guitar sharks. The wreck itself rests upside down, partially covered in sand, at a depth of approximately 27m. Despite its condition, the stern and propeller maintain relative preservation, forming a complex structure that serves as a sanctuary for the local marine fauna.
For advanced divers, this dive site presents an exciting opportunity to explore the depths of the SS Nebo wreck. With visibility reaching up to 13m and a maximum depth of 26m, this underwater adventure offers a unique glimpse into maritime history. Located in Widenham, eThekwini Ward 99, Umkomaas, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, 4170, South Africa, the SS Nebo wreck is a must-visit destination for diving enthusiasts in South Africa.
Diving Conditions Score for Nebo Wreck, Aliwal Shoal
5.6
AverageAverage conditions, be alert.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for Nebo Wreck, Aliwal Shoal
Depth
26m
Visibility
13m
Experience Level
advanced
Weather Conditions for Nebo Wreck, Aliwal Shoal
Wave Height
1.28m
Wind Speed
12.4 m/s
Water Temp
22.8°C
Visibility
27.32km
Cloud Cover
80%
Wave Period
7.95s
Air Temperature
16.5°C
Precipitation
0 mm
Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Nebo Wreck, Aliwal Shoal
Alpha
Dive Score Chart for Nebo Wreck, Aliwal Shoal
Best time to dive: 15:00 with score 6.512699999999999/10. Water conditions: Waves 1.4m, Wind 1.4 m/s.Best night dive time: 18:00 with score 5.72/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Sunrise at Nebo Wreck, Aliwal Shoal: 06:00
Sunset at Nebo Wreck, Aliwal Shoal: 18:00
Optimal diving conditions at Nebo Wreck, Aliwal Shoal are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Best Overall
15:00Score: 6.5/10
Waves: 1.4m (7.9s), Wind: 1.4 m/s
Best Night
18:00Score: 5.7/10
Waves: 1.36m, Wind: 4.7 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for Nebo Wreck, Aliwal ShoalAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Nebo Wreck, Aliwal Shoal
The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.
Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Seasonal DiveScore Chart
This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Best Season for Nebo Wreck, Aliwal Shoal
Summer
Avg. Score: 10.0/10
Summer offers the warmest water temperatures and generally favorable conditions for all levels of divers.
Best Months for Nebo Wreck, Aliwal Shoal
May
Score: 10.0
June
Score: 10.0
July
Score: 10.0
Ideal Conditions for Nebo Wreck, Aliwal Shoal
Water Temp
23.0°C / 73.4°F
June
Visibility
20.1m / 65.9ft
October
Wave Height
0.2m / 0.7ft
January
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for Nebo Wreck, Aliwal Shoal
Nebo Wreck, Aliwal Shoal follows southern hemisphere patterns with June being the warmest month (23.0°C) and December the coldest (19.0°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 0.2m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in January with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). January is usually the driest month with 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during January to March, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.
Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 21, 2026
Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.
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