Aliwal Shoal has become internationally recognized as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world. Tourism in Umkomaas and Aliwal Shoal has grown over the last few years as more divers flock to Umkomaas to experience the incredible attractions that aliwal shoal has to offer. With the growth in the number of service providers on Aliwal Shoal, it can become confusing to search for information necessary to plan for your stay, book your dives and equipment, and find accommodation that is perfect for you. No longer.
Aliwal Shoal Dive Courses
PADI Open Water
PADI Advanced Course
PADI Emergency First Response
PADI Rescue Course
PADI Divemaster
Facilities
Dive Charters to the Aliwal Shoal
Equipment rentals
Air, Nitrox and mixed gas fills
The best maintained diveboats and vehicles to transport you safely while diving
Radios on all boats in contact with center
Experienced Skippers with first aid experience
DAN Oxygen kits available for your safety!
Diving
The average sea temperature is 24° and almost never falls below 16° c. From July to November, the ragged tooth sharks are on the shoal in abundance, as they annually migrate to the shoal which is their preferred resting ground. Dolphins are very frequently seen at the shoal, and both dolphins and whales on the launches. The shoal is home to over 1200 species of fish, as well as turtles, rays, manta's, angelfish and butterfly fish. Apart from raggies, there are other lesser known sharks on the shoal. Occasional sightings include great whites, tigers, white tips and whale sharks.
Dive sites on Aliwal Shoal:
Because of its size, there are plenty of sites of interest on the shoal. The more famous include Raggies Cave, Pinnacles, Shark Alley, Cathedral, South Sands, North Sands, Inside Edge, Outside Edge, Chunnel and Manta Point.
To Dive you need:
To dive at Aliwal Shoal, you need : PADI, NAUI, or CMAS Open Water qualification. Please bring your C-Card with you. For your own safety, no diver will be able to dive if they cannot prove they have a valid qualification. If you haven't got a qualification yet, then you can do an
You do not need to be an experienced diver to dive the shoal. There is always a dive-master (DM) on each boat who will assist you with any queries you may have. The DM will also do a full briefing to his/her group before the dive. An instructor will dive with you (and buddy up if you wish) on request.
Dive Reservations:
Apart from a few days per year when launch conditions are not suitable, you can arrange 2 dives per day with ease. The diving is usually done in the mornings, as the wind gets stronger in the afternoons sometimes making launches more difficult. There are a few dives done in the afternoons, but only on request, and subject to weather conditions.
There are lots of activities you can do in the afternoons if there is no dive taking place. Night dives are frequently arranged when there are advanced courses taking place. If you want to do night diving, please submit a request, and we will arrange it for you if possible.
We recommend that you book your dives in advance, as there are occasions when the boats are full to capacity - this is after all one of the most famous South African sites to dive from. If you come on the off-chance however, we will do all we can to get you on the boat. A maximum of 12 persons are put on the boats, as per regulations. Reputable operators will never allow a 13th diver on the boat, as this is against the law and dangerous to boot.
WHERE: Durban, Kwazulu Natal
TELEPHONE NUMBER: +27 (39) 9732534
CONTACT US NOW TO BOOK YOUR EXCEPTIONAL DIVING EXPERIENCE