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Fontao

The Fontao is one of three artificial reefs that were created in order to enhance recreational fishing off the Natal Coast. The steel prawn trawler lies on the sand off the Umhlanga Rocks lighthouse in 27m of water.

Conditions: Best dived in winter months from April to July.

Visibility: 5 to 30m
Max Depth: 27m
Average Depth: 15m

The Wreck Site: The vessel is 35m long, 8m wide and 13.5m high. It is possible to penetrate the wreck safely. There is a toilet on the bridge, which makes for a memorable photograph.

On the sand, one often finds large rays and guitarfish. The wreck is home to the Harlequin goldie (conneli) a, a goldie found only on wrecks off Natal. A large colony of cleaner shrimps occupy the stern of the wreck and it is not uncommon to see paperfish and pine apple fish.

A torch and a pair of gloves are recommended equipment for this dive. Gloves will provide protection against the numerous hydroids that colonise the wreck and the sharp edges on the steel structure. There are large shoals of karenteen, pinkies and blacktail that congregate on the bow of the wreck that can reduce visibility to zero. The danger here is that you can easily become disorientated and lose your buddy.