SAS Assegaai Museum - Simon's Town, Cape Town

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Assegaai successfully served as a museum from 2010 to 2015, docked alongside the outer wall of Simon’s Town harbour. © Defence Web

SAS Assegaai Museum - Simon's Town, Cape Town

The SAS Assegaai Museum in Simon's Town offers visitors a unique chance to explore the first South African Navy submarine, the SAS Assegaai, formerly known as the SAS Johanna van der Merwe. Now a museum, this decommissioned submarine provides an insightful look into life beneath the waves, showcasing the vessel’s control room, torpedo tubes, and crew quarters. Tours are led by knowledgeable guides who offer fascinating details about the submarine’s service and technology. Located in the Simon’s Town Naval Dockyard, the museum provides a rare and immersive experience for all ages interested in maritime history.

Assegaai successfully served as a museum from 2010 to 2015, docked alongside the outer wall of Simon’s Town harbour. When the submarine was taken out of the water in 2015 and placed on the synchro lift inside the harbour, it became apparent that the outer hull had deteriorated. Although the interior remained well-maintained, a permanent solution was needed to keep the submarine out of the water while maintaining accessibility. The museum vessel has been closed since then.

2024: For updates on when the museum will be open to visitors again please see: Naval Heritage Trust

History:
On 10 February 1967, after nearly two years of negotiations, an order was placed with the French Government to provide three Daphne class submarines in addition to providing the training and infrastructure to run and maintain them. The first of these submarines, the SAS Maria van Riebeek (S97), was launched on 18 March 1969 - the date accepted as being the birth of the SANs submarine service. The second boat was the SAS Emily Hobhouse (S98), and the last of the three, the SAS Johanna van der Merwe (S99). In 1999 the three boats were renamed SAS Spear, SAS Umkhonto and SAS Assegaai respectively. In 2003, the SAS Spear was cut up for scrap, followed by the SAS Umkhonto in 2008 while SAS Assegaai has been preserved as a museum exhibit. Currently she is preserved as a floating museum but will be preserved ashore at the Naval Museum by 2013.

The SAS Assegaai is a decommissioned Daphne Class French built diesel-electric submarine which is now open to the public 7 days a week from 10h30 - 15h00. She is 58m long and had a complement of six officers and 45 senior and junior ratings. Fitted with 12 x 550mm torpedo tubes, she could also carry sea mines. It is amazing the technology on board that was developed by South Africans during the Apartheid era 30 yrs ago. Tickets can be purchased from HGTS Tours, the official service and transport provider to the SA Naval Museum, at Simons Town Railway Station. This is the only Submarine Museum in Africa and definitely worth visiting. Admiral Arne Soderlund and his team of ex-submariners will share their experiences with visitors during the 1 hour tour of the submarine. Photographs may be taken inside and outside the submarine.

The Assegaai museum submarine gives those who have never been on a submarine the opportunity to experience life in a submarine and its intricacies, albeit for a brief visit. All tours are conducted by experienced volunteer guides who explain life aboard as well as how the boat was run and how the systems work. The interior has been perfectly preserved and one is able to see and experience all its equipment in the cramped setting - for example, the tiny galley. One also get to experience the feeling of being in a boat underwater. An explanation is also given of how the submarine dives and how it surfaces at sea and you get to know many interesting facts about submarines. One of the more fascinating aspects being the generation of fresh air for the crew when dived.

Accommodation Near SAS Assegaai Museum - Simon's Town, Cape Town

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Sleeps 20 in 8 units

^FromR 1495

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Mariner Guesthouse

Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Simon's Town

0.8km from SAS Assegaai Museum - Simon's Town, Cape Town

Custom built on the mountainside in historical Simon's Town, award-winning Mariner Guesthouse offers breathtaking sea views across False Bay. We are within walking distance of restaurants and beaches, and pride ourselves on offering style... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

^FromR 2800

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* Rates may vary according to season

Bay Splendour

Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Simon's Town

1.7km from SAS Assegaai Museum - Simon's Town, Cape Town

Bay Splendour, nestles in a quiet cul-de-sac only ten minutes walk from the old world charm of Simon's Town, South Africa's premier naval station. A coastal gem of peace and tranquillity, Bay Splendour has a spacious open-plan lounge and kitchen... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Sleeps 20 in 8 units

^FromR 1300

Per unit, per night

* Rates may vary according to season

Boulders Beach Hotel, Cafe and Curios

Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Boulders

1.7km from SAS Assegaai Museum - Simon's Town, Cape Town

Boulders Beach Hotel is Boulders, Simon's Town is situated just 70 meters from the World Heritage Site of Boulders Beach renowned for it's breeding African Penguin Colony. This is one of the 'must see' recommendations for tourists visiting Cape Town. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Sleeps 6 in 3 units

^FromR 803

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Moonglow Guest House

Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Simon's Town

2.6km from SAS Assegaai Museum - Simon's Town, Cape Town

Moonglow Guest House offers bed and breakfast accommodation in Glencairn, on the slopes of the Simon's Town Mountains overlooking False Bay.There are 6 well appointed ensuite bedrooms all with seaviews. 4 rooms have queen beds and all rooms have... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Sleeps 10 in 5 units

^FromR 5696.99

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Aqua Terra Boutique Guesthouse

Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Simon's Town

3.6km from SAS Assegaai Museum - Simon's Town, Cape Town

Aqua Terra Boutique Guesthouse is situated in the quiet suburb of Murdock Valley in Simon's Town and offers accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis.Situated in a prime position 5 minutes from the beach, this landmark house overlooks the entire False …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Sleeps 6 in 1 unit

^FromR 2700

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The Crags

Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Fish Hoek

4.7km from SAS Assegaai Museum - Simon's Town, Cape Town

Come and stay in one of the original farm buildings in Fish Hoek, Cape Town within a stone's throw of the beach. This self catering apartment (sleeps 6) provides spacious, well-appointed, up-market accommodation with magnificent views across False Bay. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Sleeps 8 in 4 units

^FromR 678

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A Tuscan Villa Guest House

Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Fish Hoek

5.1km from SAS Assegaai Museum - Simon's Town, Cape Town

Bed and breakfast accommodation in Fish Hoek, Cape Town. The villa boasts 4 spacious en-suite rooms named according to the direction they face. While each room has its own special attributes all rooms have Posturepedic beds, 100% percale cotton linen... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Guest Rating: 10

Sleeps 6 in 1 unit

^FromR 650

Per unit, per night

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Upstairs @ No. 42

Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Fish Hoek

5.3km from SAS Assegaai Museum - Simon's Town, Cape Town

UPSTAIRS @ No. 42 is a real home from home with beautiful mountain views and conveniently appointed for a relaxing break. Drive into secure parking right at the entrance. Up the stairs you will find a lounge-dining-kitchen area - fully equipped with TV & …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Sleeps 10 in 3 units

^FromR 850

Per unit, per night

* Rates may vary according to season

A Place In Thyme

Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Fish Hoek

5.8km from SAS Assegaai Museum - Simon's Town, Cape Town

Situated on the mountainside in Fish Hoek, A Place in Thyme offers accommodation in three separate units: the cottage (sleeps 5); Small Thyme (sleeps 2) and Big Thyme (sleeps 2 adults & 2 children; or 3 adults.) …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Sleeps 16 in 6 units

^FromR 1000

Per unit, per night

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Chartfield Guesthouse

Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Cape Town

6.3km from SAS Assegaai Museum - Simon's Town, Cape Town

Chartfield Guesthouse in kalk Bay evokes the spirit of a time when everything was done with a little more style and with a lot more attention to detail. It's a haven created to whisk you away from the cares of the world the moment you step inside... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

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