DIVE TOURS TO ALIWAL SHOAL, GANSBAAI, PROTEA BANKS AND SODWANA BAY – REEF DIVES, SHARK DIVES AND WRECK DIVES

» ALIWAL SHOAL PACKAGES
Aliwal Shoal is approximately 30 minutes drive from Durban and offer diving with sharks, wrecks, reefs and lots of fish. Selected as one of the top ten dives sites of the world, the Shoal offers almost anything a diver can wish for, a definite must.

During the months of June through to November you are sure to see Ragged Tooth Sharks as they congregate on the Shoal to mate. It is not uncommon to find 15 to 150 of these ferocious looking but docile animals on a single dive. In summer you have every chance of seeing huge Tiger Sharks and Hammerheads. Depending on conditions the best dives are Cathedral, Raggie Cave, Shark Alley and a number of other spots.

Here divers have the opportunity to see large schools of pelagic fish, many rays like the Spotted Eagle and Manta rays, three species of Hammerheads, Bull Sharks, Tiger Sharks, Ragged Tooth Sharks Threshers, Coppers, Duskies Sand Sharks and the occasional Great White in their natural environment. Depending on the season one can also see dolphins and whales.

Visibility varies from 5 to 40 meters, and the water temperature in summer is 24+ degrees Celsius and in winter not colder than 19 degrees Celsius. The depths vary between 30 and 40 meters and one must be an experienced diver for these often 4 knot mid-water drift dives. This is adventure diving at it's best.

It is widely accepted that Sodwana Bay is the Mecca of diving in South Africa and is approximately 4 hours drive from Durban. The bay is situated in a marine reserve that now forms part of the World Heritage classified Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park, and makes for safe and relaxed diving.

Visibility is rarely less than 15 meters, and the water temperature in summer is 24+ degrees Celsius and in winter not colder than 19 degrees Celsius. The depths vary between 12 to 18 meters with 30 and 50-meter sites for the suitably qualified. The dives are all done from semi-rigid boats, with exiting launches through the surf!

Pricing:
Scuba diving in Gansbaai: ZAR1 300.00 per person including all the diving gear.

Dive sites of Aliwal Shoal
Dive sites of Protea Banks
Dive sites of Sodwana Bay
Dive sites of Gansbaai
Dive sites of Cape Town

Should you tire of the sharks, you can always dive on any of the wrecks or go hunting for the huge (and I mean huge) Brindle Bass! Other species (depending on the season include Manta, Devil and other Rays, schools of pelagic fish, whales, dolphins, and many, many more!

Visibility varies from 5 to 40 meters, and the water temperature in summer is 24+ degrees Celsius and in winter not colder than 19 degrees Celsius. The depths vary between 6 to 18 meters with 30 -meter sites for the suitably qualified. The dives are all done without cages and afford the unique opportunity to see these animals in their natural environment!

International travellers can fly into Johannesburg International Airport and take a connecting flight to Durban International Airport.

Aliwal Shoal dive sites:

Cathedral
This is a spectacular hole in the reef and is home to many large stingrays, moray eels and ragged tooth sharks, beginning with a depth of 28m (94ft), and continuing the dive up to 10m (34ft).

The Pinnacles
Average depth is 10 - 15 m (34ft - 50ft). It is best dived when there is little or no surge or current. Many caves, gullies and overhangs can be explored on this reef, and there are large shoals of fish.

Raggie Cave and Shark Alley
Average depth is 16 m. Best known for housing groups of ragged tooth sharks in winter. Although they are not overly aggressive, they should never be approached too closely.

North Sands
With and average depth of 12m (40ft) and a maximum of 15m (50ft), this flat, sandy part of the reef provides the opportunity to see rays, skates and sand sharks of all sizes. In winter, groups of Raggies often congregate close to the large overhang on the southeast side.

South Sands
Like North Sands, this site is home to rays, skates, sand sharks and guitar sharks. Average depth is 15m (50ft) with a maximum of 18m (60ft).

The Produce (1974)
The wreck of the Produce, a Norwegian Bulk Molasses tanker, struck Aliwal Shoal on the NE Pinnacles in 1974, no lives were lost. She now rests in 30 metres of water (100ft) and makes an interesting wreck dive. Big game fish such as salmon, kingfish, brindle bass share the wreck with lionfish and many colourful tropical species.

The Nebo (1884)
The Nebo struck Aliwal Shoal in 1984 in fair weather and went down with its cargo of railway material. No lives were lost and she lies in 30m of water (100ft), still fairly intact. The wreck is home to an abundance of reef and pelagic fish.

Visibility varies from 5 to 40 meters, and the water temperature in summer is 24+ ° C and in winter not colder than 19 ° C. The depths vary between 30 and 40 meters and one must be an experienced diver for these often 3 knot mid-water drift dives. This is adventure diving at it's best but for experienced divers only.

Species encountered on the reef include:
Bull (Zambezi), Tiger, Hammerhead, Thresher, Copper, Dusky, Ragged Tooth, Black Tip, and even the odd Mako shark. There is also a variety of reef fish, ribbon tail skates, moray eels, spotted eagle rays, manta rays and large schools of pelagic fish. Depending on the season one can also see dolphins and whales.

Ragged Tooth Sharks (grey nurse or sand tigers) come to Protea Banks in Kwazulu-Natal in spring (August/September) as part of their breeding ritual. Placid and slow moving, the "Raggies" accept the divers without fuss. November brings the game fish and they are followed by the Zambezi (bull) Sharks, classed as a dangerous species.

Hammerheads do not follow any seasonal pattern. They are shy and keep their distance. Tiger sharks are a often seen in summer but they tend to keep their distance. The sardine run in June/July brings the copper sharks. They scan the surface for the sardine shoals. Quick but shy, they are the smallest of the 7 species of shark commonly found in this area.

Protea Banks dive sites:

Northern Pinnacles: Depth 28-38m
With its rare pink soft coral, this area hosts many reef fish, including potato bass and many pelagic fish like tuna and yellow tails. There are also two cave areas called "hole in the wall" and "hole in the floor" attracting Ragged Tooth sharks in large numbers during mating season in the winter. As spring goes into summer, large shoals of scalloped hammerheads and now and then a Great White is seen on inside ledge. Best time: June to November

Southern Pinnacles: Depth 26-35m
This is definitely the place to go if you want to see Zambezi (Bull) sharks. One expect them from November, reaching its peak in March, and remaining in their numbers until May, while one should not forget that April and May are the best time to spot the tiger sharks. The scalloped hammerheads often occur like a "blanket" on top of the divers. Drop-offs close to sandy areas are often frequented by single and schools of hammerheads.

Summer is also the time for game fish when schools of Yellowtail, Kingfish, Pike and Tunny are often encountered. March and April are good months for manta rays - Huge ones too! Be prepared to visit the Kingfish Gully for a spectacular treat of a large kingfish concentration. The Sand Shark Gully is also the best "gathering" place for various species of sharks.

You can expect to see an abundance of tropical fish, hard and soft coral, sponges, moray eels, large schools of pelagic fish, potato bass, turtles (hawksbill, loggerhead, green, leatherback) and depending on the time of year, whales (southern right, humpback), whale sharks and dolphins.

Visibility is rarely less than 15 meters, and the water temperature in summer is 24+ ° C and in winter not colder than 19 ° C. The depths vary between 12 to 18 meters with 30 and 50-meter sites for the suitably qualified. The dives are all done from semi-rigid boats, with exiting launches through the surf!

Sodwana Bay dive sites:

Two Mile Reef:
The excellent light penetration and shallow depth have created a beautiful underwater garden with a magnificent range of coral and invertebrate life. Anton's Reef is a favourite site with dense schools of tropical fish and coral heads and overhangs forming interesting topography.

Five Mile Reef:
Five mile is an extremely delicate, large flat reef hosting an astounding variety of fine coral, which is remarkably intact. The multitudes of colourful tropical fish that swarm over the reef and around divers create the sensation of diving in an endless aquarium.

Seven Mile Reef:
This wonderful little reef is popular because of its great diversity of tropical marine life, the drop-offs and mushroom shaped pinnacles. The larger specimens found here include Turtles and Rays, and there are regular sightings of bottle-nosed dolphins. The coral formations are delicate and in good condition.

Nine Mile Reef:
The dramatic scenery of Nine Mile offers drop-offs, pinnacles and big coral trees. Due to the distance from the launch site, this reef is not dived as often as the more accessible ones and is in excellent condition. The marine life is diverse and includes most of the tropical fauna typical of the region as well as big schools of passing game fish.

Diving the Cape Waters is an adventure in itself. Join our experienced Instructors & Divemasters who will organise the perfect dive package. Experienced or novice, we offer small exclusive charters for personalised service.

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Gansbaai dive sites:

Romans Bay
Romans Bay on the west side of Danger Point is home to a plethora of marine life, fish, crayfish, crabs, nudibranchs, soft corals, sponges and kelp - the macro photographers dream

De Kelders
Of the many entry points along the western shores of Gansbaai, De Kelders diving offers shallow water, good visibility, pristine reefs and healthy marine life

Black Sophie
A prominent rock elevated on the outer reef surrounding Kleinbaai Harbour. This Rock and the surrounding reef offers stunning terrain and a healthy mix of marine life.

Dyer island

• Seal Dive - Dive with the inquisitive and ever playful cape fir seal. In a secluded sandy spot deep among the kelp beds a handful of seals will join the divers on a dive of their lives. This special place offers full protection against swells and other marine predators.
• Sponge Bay - Explore the crevasses and gullies close to Dyer Island, this place is fed by strong currents
• Kelp Forest - All around Dyer Island and the Coastline are acres of Kelp forests offering a thrilling adventure floating through the underwater forests. Many species of marine life take refuge in the safety of the kelp.
• Wrecks - Dive the famous Birkenhead which ran aground on Birkenhead rock, a pinnacle that breaks the surface at low tide near Danger Point. Now the broken wreckage offers refuge to many marine inhabitants. Advanced Divers only.
• Wrecks - Dive the Bulwark, lyng in an easy 6-8m of water this wreck is scattered over a wide area in the kelp gulleys close to the shore. The Boilers are still in tact and some Portholes and the prop shaft can still be found home to many fish and invertebrates.

Visibility varies from 1 to 20 meters, and the water temperature in summer is 14 ° C and in winter down to 8 ° C. A dry suit is recommended.

The depths vary between 5 and 40 meters and the dives are done either from hard boats, RIBs or by shore entry.

Most sites are easily accessible from the roads and subsequently a lot of shore diving is done here. The area is very picturesque and there are many activities for non-diving companions while you are busy blowing bubbles with the fishies. These include some of the most scenic hiking trails in the mountains, horse rides, sunbathing on white beaches and for those who prefer a less active holiday, shopping.

Cape Town dive sites include: