Dive down south

The KwaZulu-Natal coast has become a popular destination for diving enthusiasts from around the world with colourful tropical reefs and wrecks and a stunning variety of sea-life to be found. Added attractions are the pleasant all-year-round climate, the warm, clear water and excellent back-up in terms of infrastructure and facilities.

The warm Agulhas current that flows down the KwaZulu-Natal coast allows the world's southern-most tropical reefs to flourish, and the water seldom drops below 20'C, summer or winter.

Although KwaZulu-Natal has a large population of sharks, they pose little threat to scuba divers. No shark attack has ever been recorded on a scuba diver in the province. The migrating ragged-tooth sharks can be observed on Aliwal Shoal from July to November.

Diving

Since Aliwal Shoal became a Marine Protected Area in 2005, diving permits are now necessary. These permits can be obtained at your nearest post office and at some dive charters. The Shoal is a 1.5km wide fossilised sandbank and reef 5km off-shore from Umkomaas and on the inner edge of the Mozambique current. Due to the warm waters the visibility is usually excellent. It is named after the Aliwal - a ship that sailed from London in September 1949 and was nearly wrecked there.

The Shoal offers a variety of dives including Open Water, Advanced, Shark and Wreck Diving. Although the boat ride could be long, it is always a good dive to go out for.Best known to th Soal is the ragged-tooth sharks which are found there during the winter months at Raggie's Cave and Cathederal. Between June and November you are sure to see Ragged-tooth sharks (somewhere between 15 -150), as they congregate at the shoal to mate. In the summer months you are likely to see huge Tiger sharks and Hammerheads. Depending on the conditions, the best dives are Cathedral, Raggie's Cave, Shark Alley to name a few. The Sardine Run passes by this area annually and is well-known for the tumbling swirls of sardines mixed with sharks, birds, whales and dolphins.

Launch Sites:

There is a launch from the river mouth where the boat takes you out into the ocean, and one other launch off the beach where the boat drivers have to push the boat to the water and jump in as soon as possible.

Diving Facilities:

Air Fills, Nitrox Fills, Gear Rentals, Equipment Sales, Dive Training, Speciality Courses.