Shipwreck Museum

The Shipwreck Museum in the Western Cape of South Africa is situated in the town of Bredasdorp, 35 km north of  L'Agulhas.

The Shipwreck Museum is a maritime Museum whose primary theme is Shipwrecks along the dangerous Southern Cape Coast. There have been approximately 130 shipwrecks along this Cape coastline since 1673 and this strip is known as the “Graveyard of Ships”.

All these shipwrecks have been spewing out cargo along the beaches from Gansbaai to the mouth of the Breede River. The Museum is a literal treasure house filled with figureheads, coins, cannons, lifeboats, porcelain, anchors and bottles from a number of European countries. While viewing these treasures, spare a though for all those who lost their lives in these shipwrecks and left their history behind for us. It is a chilling story to hear about a shipwreck and a series of scale models in the Museum demonstrates the death throes of a ship until its final disintegration, when it is buried by the sand.

Things to do and see

Three sections to visit at the Museum:

  • Shipwreck Museum
  • Old Parsonage
  • Old Coach House
  • Cape Agulhus Lighthouse – 40 km away

Admission

There is a nominal admission fee to the Museum, please contact the Museum direct to confirm pricing.

Monday to Thursday, 09h00 - 16h45

Friday, 09h00 - 16h00

Saturday, 10h00 - 16h45

Sunday, 09h00 - 16h00

Climate

The area has high rainfall in the winter months from June to August.

Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 13˚C and 28˚C.

Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 2˚C and 20˚C.

Transport

There are domestic and International flights into Cape Town International Airport on a daily basis. Car rental companies are available for easy access around the area.

Crée: ; Dernière mise à jour: