Diving

The beautifully clear waters of the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast are great for so much more than surfing and bathing, they hold some of the most magnificent underwater worlds ready for divers to discover. Between April and July visitors will experience peak dive season with many on-site diving organisations ready to welcome everyone from novice to experienced divers. These cooler months are also when the incredible Sardine Run takes place, bringing with it a kaleidoscopic selection of marine life. Dive sites on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast include Lionfish Hole, Manta Point, Subway Reef, North and South Sands, Hammerhead Reef, Cowrie Reef and Deep Landers, however it’s undoubtedly Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks that are the key dive attractions. Both are Marine Protected Areas with a lot to be explored.
Aliwal Shoal: Named for the three-masted Aliwal which almost hit the shoal in 1849, the site is home to two other ships that were less fortunate, the Nebo which sank in 1884, and the Produce which sank in 1974. Found just 4km off the Umkomaas coastline, Aliwal Shoal consists of a fossilised sand dune of sponges and hard and soft coral. A major attraction for the adventurous is ‘Raggie Cave’, where divers swim among numerous ragged-tooth sharks.
Protea Banks: Just 7.5km off Shelly Beach, this is a leading dive site for shark and gamefish viewing. It consists of a blend of caves, ridges, pinnacles and amphitheatres where divers will find tiger, guitar, bull, copper, maco, hammerhead and oceanic reef sharks; giant manta, sting and marble rays; as well as king fish, yellow fin tuna and barracuda.