Diving with Sharks in South Africa
KwaZulu-Natal's Top Sites - Aliwal Shoal, Sodwana Bay, Protea Banks
Apr 24, 2007
Cosmopolitan Durbanon the East Coast is the starting point in your journey in South Africa to the shark waters of the Indian Ocean on the North and South Coasts of KwaZulu-Natal where you can go Diving with Sharks.
KwaZulu-Natal North Coast – Sodwana Bay
Sodwana is only about four hours by car from Durban in the St Lucia Wetlands Park a World Heritage Site. The area has been a protected reserve for many years, ensuring large fish populations as well as pristine corals.
Divers can choose from Sodwana Bay and Cape Vidal. Sodwana Bay is rated by international divers as one of the top 10 dive destinations in the world. Visibility at Sodwana Bay can be anything between 15 and 40 meters and divers will be able to see Whale Sharks and Ragged Tooth Sharks and many other types of sharks and Rays.
The Whale Shark Rhincodon typus is the largest fish in the ocean, reportedly growing to lengths of 18 m. The best viewing location is the clear waters around Sodwana Bay where there is a strict code of conduct when you dive with sharks, which includes no touching or riding them.
- Reefteach is a local company with an intimate knowledge of the reefs at Sodwana Bay - their staff spends a large amount of time discovering new dive sites on the reefs. Reefteach also offers a full range of PADI scuba courses from beginner to assistant instructor.
- The KZNNCS are custodians of Sodwana Bay National Marine Reserve. As this is a marine reserve, visitors must pay to get access to the beach, which is about 5 km from the Lodge. This is a good resource.
KwaZulu-Natal South Coast - Aliwal Shoal
One of the most popular diving sites in South Africa, is the Aliwal Shoal which lies just off the coast of Umkomaas, a small coastal town 45 km south of Durban. It is one of the most popular places to dive with sharks.
Aliwal Shoal is on the inner edge of the warm Mozambique current, often providing excellent visibility for diving with Sharks. The most popular shark in this area is the Ragged Tooth Shark, who looks scary but is quite gentle by nature. The Raggie season generally lasts around 6 – 8 months from June to November. It is usually possible to see Tiger Sharks all year but April and May are the prime months for sightings. Many other sharks are at home here. Aliwal Shoal can be dived throughout the year. For added excitement, or those diving with sharks, there are two shipwrecks nearby 'Nebo' and 'Produce' to be explored.
- Aliwal Dive Centre and Lodge has been established for over 12 years, and has progressed in a short time from a PADI resort centre to a PADI 5* Instructor Development Centre. Variety of accommodation available.
- Umkomaas Lodge Dive Charters, situated along side the well known Aliwal Shoal, is the first PADI Gold Palm Scuba Diving Resort in South Africa. Right on the beach, a stones throw away from the Umkomaas river mouth, offering a feast of scuba diving, lodge accommodation and recreational pleasures.
Diving with Sharks on the Protea Banks
This dive site is for experienced divers who want to see the big animals. Raggies also congregate on Protea Banks, usually between August and October. Ski boat charters to Protea Banks, 7 km offshore, launch from Shelly Beach, 125 km south of Durban. These trips are for advanced divers as the shallowest parts of the reef are 30-35 m and there are exceptionally strong deep currents.
African Odyssea is the only fully established dive centre on Protea Banks in Shelley Beach offering diving, accommodation, gear hire, Nitrox and speciality courses.
See Sharks in captivity, visit uShaka Marine World Aquarium in Durban.
Want to know more about Sharks, visit the Natal Sharks Board.
Adventurous, try Cage Diving with Sharks?
More Southern African articles:
Kruger National Park, South Africa
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