Diving in South Africa

From the cold waters of Cape town and its kelp forests to the warmer reefs of Sodwana Bay, South Africa hosts an incredible variety of marine life and diving conditions:

• In Port St Johns, every year from June to August, join a Sardine Run expedition for some of the most incredible marine sightings on the planet!
• Make a stop to dive in Aliwal Shoal and at the Protea banks with some ragged-tooth sharks, tiger sharks, and hammerheads.
• If you prefer warmer waters, then head off to Sodwana Bay, the country’s only tropical dive site with an incredible biodiversity.
• While in Cape Town, do not miss its kelp forest dive sites and playful sea lions!

The 4 Best Places to Dive in South Africa

Port St Johns for the Sardine Run

The Sardine Run in South Africa offers some of the most incredible marine sightings on the planet! It is accessible to both snorkellers and divers. Pods of dolphins numbering in their thousands, numerous species of sharks, and a huge variety of bird life, all come to feed on sardines and other fish, offering phenomenal photographic opportunities both above and below the water. The annual humpback whale migration offers loads of breaching too.

When there's fast-paced action, the only way is to jump in and watch the action pass by, jump back on the boat, and do it all over again. One just never knows what will come across on any given day!

Stationary action or bait ball is what everyone looks for and hopes for, as it can last from a few minutes to a few hours. This scenario occurs when the common dolphin starts feeding on bait fish that will ball as a strategic defense. Once the dolphins have captured a ball and brought it to the surface, there's enough time to get your scuba diving gear on and join the action.

Best Dives Sites of Port St Johns

Port St Johns is where the continental shelf comes closest to land along this South African stretch of coastline. This seems to create a funneling effect, bringing animals closer inshore. You'll encounter deep water very quickly as it drops off into the continental shelf. There's no unique dive area as the range of operation spans the area north and south of Port St Johns, in the Eastern Cape area of South Africa. You can maximize your chances by choosing an operation that offers aerial support - ask us.

Diving Season

• The best season for the Sardine run is from mid-June to mid-August.

Dive Conditions

• The water temperature out of Port St Johns during the Sardine run ranges 15° to 24°C (59° to 75°F) while the air temperature usually ranges 18° to 23°C (64° to 73°F)
• There can be currents.
• Conditions will vary from glass-like seas to flying through giant rollers in pumping winds – very exciting and sometimes strenuous.

How To Get There

• Depending on where your base is, you can either land at King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban or at Mthatha Airport (UTT) - ask us.

• The Sardine Run is often booked a year in advance so ask us early enough for a recommendation. We particularly like this Sardine Run Expedition (8 nights starting from ...) recognized by National Geographic!

• If you're not flexible on dates, contact us and we'll do our best to find something that suits you.

Protea Banks and Aliwal Shoal

Protea Banks and Aliwal Shoal, located on the south coast of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa, are renowned for their shark diving experiences outside of cages. Both reefs benefit from the warm Agulhas current, which brings indigo-blue waters and numerous pelagic fish, making them prime locations for observing large marine animals in their natural environments.

Aliwal Shoal ancient sandstone reef, part of a Marine Protected Area, offers dive sites suitable for all skill levels. The shoal, located approximately five kilometers offshore hosts a diverse marine life including sharks, dolphins, whales, rays, mantas, and various fish species. It is particularly famous for its shark sightings, which include ragged-tooth sharks, tiger sharks, and hammerheads.

Protea Banks is located 7.5 kilometers offshore from Shelly Beach and spans depths between 27 and 40 meters, with the reef stretching six kilometers long and 800 meters wide. This fossilized sandbank features caves, overhangs, and pinnacles that attract game fish and sharks throughout the year. It is one of the richest tuna grounds globally, drawing a variety of sharks such as bull sharks, scalloped and great hammerheads, oceanic blacktip sharks, giant guitar sharks, ragged tooth sharks, and tiger sharks. Diving at Protea Banks involves deep dives with strong currents, providing a thrilling experience for divers.

Best Dives Sites of Protea Banks and Aliwal Shoal

• Raggie Cave, Aliwal Shoal: this iconic site is renowned for its high likelihood of ragged-tooth shark sightings, especially during their mating season.

• Produce Wreck, Aliwal Shoal: the wreck of the Norwegian bulk carrier that sank in 1974 is a favorite among divers. The wreck, split into two sections, is teeming with marine life, including game fish, rays, and sometimes sharks, making it an intriguing and diverse dive.

• Southern Pinnacles, Protea Banks: this site is famous for its encounters with various shark species, including bull sharks, hammerheads, and tiger sharks. The depth ranges from 27 to 40 meters, and the strong currents make for an exhilarating dive experience.

• Northern Pinnacles, Protea Banks: known for its caves and overhangs, this area attracts a wide array of marine life, particularly during the ragged-tooth shark aggregation season. Divers can explore these underwater features while observing large groups of sharks.

Diving Season

Overall, both Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks offer year-round diving opportunities with distinct seasonal highlights, making them attractive destinations for divers seeking diverse and exciting marine life encounters:

• From November to April, expect to see pelagic species like hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and various tropical fish. Ragged-tooth sharks are less common during this period.

• May to October is the peak season for ragged-tooth sharks, which congregate in large numbers for mating.

Dive Conditions

• From November to April, the water temperature ranges 22° to 27°C (72° to 81°F) .
• From May to October, the water temperature ranges 19° to 23°C (66° to 73°F) .
• Currents can be strong in Protea Banks all year long - this is a destination for experienced divers only, while Aliwal Shoal is suitable for all divers with more protected sites.
• Visibility is usually around 20 meters. In Protea Banks, it most often is between 10 to 20 meters during the South African summer (November to April).

How To Get There

• The starting point to dive in Aliwal Shoal is Umkomaas, about 50 kilometers south of Durban.

• Protea Banks is best reached from Shelly Beach or Margate. Some dive shops in Umkomaas may offer excursions to Protea Banks as part of their services. Expect a one to two hours drive one way to get there.

Sodwana Bay

Sodwana Bay boasts the world’s most southern coral reef and the country’s only tropical dive site. Part of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sodwana Bay has been a protected reserve for many years, ensuring abundant fish populations and pristine coral.

Stretching along 50 kilometers of coastline, this reef is home to around 1,200 fish species, 15 types of sharks, manta rays, and breeding colonies of turtles. The reef is estimated to be 80,000 years old, with its sandstone rock base dating back to the late Pleistocene era. This ancient formation results in a flat reef profile with low pinnacles, shallow drop-offs, swim-throughs, and gullies, ranging from 8 to 100 meters in depth, suitable for both novice and experienced divers. The absence of silt-bearing rivers nearby contributes to the excellent coral condition and good visibility. Sodwana Bay is also great for snorkeling, offering diverse and vibrant marine life.

Best Dives Sites in Sodwana Bay

• 2 Mile Reef: one of the most popular and accessible dive sites at Sodwana Bay. It runs parallel to the coast and is about 400m wide. It offers a variety of dive options with its large overhangs, gardens of hard and soft corals, and shallow caves.

• 7 Mile Reef: located further offshore, 7 Mile Reef offers deeper dives and encounters with larger pelagic species. Divers can spot sharks, including ragged-tooth sharks during their aggregation season, as well as eagle rays and occasional manta rays. A site that requires good conditions, and for experienced divers only.

• Pinnacles: This site features underwater pinnacles rising from the sea floor, providing habitat for a variety of marine life. Divers can explore caves, swim-throughs, and encounter schooling fish, reef sharks, and sometimes whale sharks in season.

Diving Season

• You can dive in Sodwana Bay any time of year.
• June to November is best for humpback whales sightings.
• November to April is a preferred aggregation site for pregnant ragged-tooth sharks, and you can see some Southern wright and Minke Whales migrating. Whale sharks and manta rays are attracted by plankton-rich waters.
• One of the most special things to witness in Sodwana Bay is the turtles nesting and hatching, which occurs from November until the end of February.

Dive Conditions

• The water temperature at Sodwana Bay ranges 26° to 28°C (79° to 82°F) in the summer, and 17° to 22°C (63° to 72°F) in winter.
• Currents can be strong on some sites
• Visibility ranges between 8 to 40 meters, with best visibility between April to September.

How To Get There

• Sodwana Bay is a 4,5 hours drive north of Durban.

Cape Town

Cape Town beckons adventurous divers with its cold water allure, where kelp forests sway gently in the currents and encounters with seals and sharks await beneath the waves. Influenced by the Agulhas and Benguela currents, the coastal waters offer a diverse range of diving sites and conditions.

While depths in False Bay rarely exceed 30 meters, the underwater landscape is nothing short of spectacular. Enormous granite formations create intricate formations like caves, swim-throughs, and towering pinnacles that plunge from just below the surface into the abyss. These dramatic dive sites promise to awe even the most seasoned divers, offering a blend of natural beauty and underwater adventure found uniquely in Cape Town's cold water depths.

Best Dives Sites in Cape Town

• Pyramid Rock: located off the Atlantic Seaboard, this site offers divers a chance to explore a unique ecosystem where sunlight filters through dense kelp canopies, illuminating a vibrant array of marine life. Shoals of colorful reef fish dart amongst the swaying kelp fronds, while rays, octopus, and shysharks gracefully navigate the rocky terrain. With good visibility and varying depths suitable for all skill levels, Pyramid Rock promises a unique diving experience.

• Partridge Point, False Bay: this area is renowned for its Cape fur seal colony, providing thrilling encounters with playful seals in their natural habitat. Partridge Point is a large boulder with smaller ones surrounding it. It also has several swim-throughs and caverns in varying sizes. The site is suitable for all levels of divers, with depths ranging from shallow areas near the surface to deeper sections.

• SS Maori Wreck, Atlantic Seaboard: a historic wreck dive offering a glimpse into Cape Town's maritime history. The SS Maori wreck lies in relatively shallow waters, covered in marine growth, and is home to schools of fish, octopus, and occasionally larger species like rays and sharks.

Diving Season

• The most pleasant season to dive in Cape Town is during the Austral summer - from December to February, when the sea temperature is slightly warmer.

Dive Conditions

• The water temperature in Cape Town ranges 12° to 18°C (54° to 64°F)
• Currents can be strong in some areas
• Visibility ranges between 2 to 20 meters

How To Get There

• Fly to Cape Town International Airport (UTT)

Dive Safety Recommendations

Currents can be strong on many sites of South Africa. It is recommended to have an advanced level of diving, and to be experienced in colder water diving.

For safety reasons, always bring with you a surface marker buoy, and know how to use it. We also recommend you to have a Nautilus Lifeline, a GPS that could save your life if taken by currents.

We always recommend to have your own dive gear, well maintained, you'll be safer and more comfortable. Light and compact dive gear is particularly suited for travels.

Take care of the reef and bring a reef-safe sunscreen.

South Africa Entry Requirements

• You must have a valid passport to enter South Africa, and a return ticket
• Most citizens do not require a visa to stay in South Africa for up to 90 days
• Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond the period you intend to stay
• Please check current visa policies that apply for your country on South Africa Home Affairs Department website.