Jacaranda Shipwreck

About Jacaranda Shipwreck

The Jacaranda is a well-known shipwreck located at Qolora Mouth on South Africa’s Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape. On 18 September 1971, the 2,000-ton Greek coaster suffered engine failure during strong winds, dragging its anchors until it ran aground on the rocky shoreline. All 15 crew members and the captain’s wife safely survived the incident, but salvage attempts failed after a rock breached the hull. Over the decades, the relentless ocean surf has broken down the vessel, leaving behind rusty remnants that are primarily visible during low tide.

Today, visitors can access the site via the Jakaranda Shipwreck Trail, a 9-kilometre out-and-back coastal hike that begins near local landmarks like Trennerys Hotel. The surrounding Qolora Mouth area features a quiet lagoon and coastal forests, and it is located near the Gxara River pool, the historical site of the 1856 Nongqawuse prophecies.