This 2000 ton steamship sank on 20^th May 1884 just north of the Aliwal Shoal. She was on her maiden voyage from Sunderland to Durban, carrying the Amanzimtoti railway bridge. Although there is no certainty, it was officially reported that she had struck an uncharted pinnacle. There is much doubt about this version of events, especially as the supposed pinnacle has never been reported since. Some experts believe that the weight of the railway bridge upon the deck could have caused her to be capsized by a large wave. There is more credibility to this story, as the Nebo is lying upside down, 24-27 metres below sea level.

The Nebo is home to a huge variety of fishlife. When she went down she was carrying concrete pylons for a bridge in Amanzimtoti, and they are now part of this beautiful underwater marine wonder.The viz on this wreck is not always the greatest as the SAICCOR effluent seems to hang around the Nebo quite often.

Effective from August 1999 this should no longer be too much of an issue since SAICCOR have undertaken to make some extensive changes to the pipeline system which is destined to improve overall viz and conditions on the Shoal and surrounding dive sites by as much at 70%.

The NEBO is also the closest dive site to the shore in this area which means that this wreck can be subject to poor viz conditions from the nearby Umkomaas river when it is in flood. On shore conditions make this a challenging dive. But on a good calm day, it can be a great dive indeed, especially if you have a fascination for history, the age of the wreck making it a serious part of our local history. This is a good dive site for your first wreck dive.