Diving in South Africa

South Africa
South Africa is probably best known for breathtaking safaris and game parks, but the diving and snorkeling is excellent and varied with fish and other marine life that isn't found anywhere else in the world.

Aliwal Shoal: South Africa

Selected as one of the top ten dives sites of the world by the Diver Magazine the Shoal offers almost anything a diver can wish for. All the diving is done from semi rigid boats fitted with twin 85 Yamaha motors. The RIBS are launched from the river mouth and through the surf for a twenty-minute ride to the reef.
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 50 of these ferocious looking but docile animals on a single dive.

In summer you have every chance of seeing Tiger sharks and Hammerheads. 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+ ° C and in winter not colder than 19 ° C. 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 the sharks in their natural environment!

Cape Town: South Africa

Cape Town and environs has many excellent wreck, seal and kelp dives. Depending on conditions one can dive the Indian or the Atlantic Oceans, and often the site is only decided on the day of diving.
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.

Great White Shark cage diving in Gansbaai: South Africa

Gansbaai is little holiday and fishing village situated a 160km from Cape Town. The area has several attractions for the nature lover with whale watching being the most popular.
Accommodation may be taken in any of the Bed & Breakfast establishments and the few restaurants offer good quality food. The daily cage diving/sighting trips are launched from the neighbouring Kleinbaai.

Dyer Island has become known as one of only two unique areas in the world where there is an exceptionally good chance to chances see the Great White shark.

Other wildlife species such as Cape Fur Seals, Cape Gannets, Cape Cormorants, Jackass penguins, whales and dolphins are also likely to be sighted.

Cage diving is strictly regulated by the authorities and conducted in an ethical way in accordance with international standards. It is absolutely safe and you need not have any diving experience at all, only a short course on safety and the use of the equipment.

The best time of the year is in April - September, when the sharks are particularly active in their feeding patterns (80-99%).

Even though you still have a good chance of seeing the sharks during the other months (October - February), their feeding patterns are different and sightings are less consistent (80%).

Rocky Bay: South Africa

One of South Africa's best kept secrets, this group of reefs lies between two and four kilometers offshore and at a depth of twenty to forty meters it is for advanced divers only.
The best spots are:

Landers
Big pinnacle, large boulders, crevices and huge gullies with small sand patches in between the reefs, caves and overhangs.
· Average Depth = 21 Meters
· Maximum Depth = 32 Meters

Butchers
Boulders, rocks with big crevices and gullies are characteristic of this reef north of Landers. The reef has a wall like formation that is approximately 6 meters high. Tropical fish like Trumpetfish, Geometric Moray Eel, Natal sea catfish, speckled shrimpfish, Batfish and False stonefish are just some of the species found here. There is a resident Loggerhead turtle that sleeps in one of the many caves and overhangs. This reef is also known as the Juvenile Nursery. Many species of hard and soft coral.
· Average Depth = 18 Meters
· Maximum Depth = 25 Meters

Cowry
Big boulders scattered around with sand patches in between and ledges with overhangs and small holes in the reef where Triggerfish hide. There are quite a number of different species of Cowry shells on this reef sitting next to or on the big sea sponges. Coral life consists of soft coral like Dead-man's finger, various colors of Polyp coral swinging in the surge, Black coral trees as well as Green Fern coral with clouds of Goldies swimming around it. Also be on the look out for Nudibranchs; various colors and sizes. Hard coral consists of Smooth horned coral and Leather coral.
· Average Depth = 19 Meters
· Maximum Depth = 25 Meters

Outside Landers
A wall of reef that run from North to South. On the ledge you can find Pinnacles that form an enclosure for marine life. The boulders create nice swim through's and gullies. Most of the common tropical fish species seen here although this is one of the deeper dives and there tend to be thermo clines here and there. Batfish, Fusiliers, Ragged Tooth Sharks, Nudibranchs and Rock Lobsters are a common sight amongst the many coral species.
· Average Depth = 20 Meters
· Maximum Depth = 28 Meters

Umzamai wall
Huge boulders, with big crevices, scattered rocks and gullies to swim through. On the inshore side there is a wall almost 20 meters high with ledges and a cave on the northern side. Large black coral trees, Polyp coral, White and Pink Thistle coral, Green Fern coral and lots more to be seen on this untouched reef. The fish in this area are inquisitive and not used to divers. Big Moorish Idols, Snappers, Triggerfish, Model Tobies, Boxy's, Tiger Angelfish and lot's more.
· Average Depth = 23 Meters
· Maximum Depth = 39 Meters

Chard reef
Rock formations forming a wall, with small ledges and gullies with sand patches surrounding the rocky reef. White Kingfish roam this area and is keen on inspecting new visitors. Devil Fire fish together with Red Fanged Trigger fish, Moorish Idols and Snappers, Nudibranchs of different sizes, types and colours, Polyp coral, Dead-man's finger coral, Sea urchins and Whip coral in different colours are a few of the species encountered. Crayfish are found in the holes in the reef and Rays seem to be keeping an eye on everything on this reef.
· Average Depth = 23 Meters
· Maximum Depth = 38 Meters

Sodwana Bay: South Africa

It is widely accepted that Sodwana Bay is the Mecca of diving in South Africa. 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. 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!

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.

And then of course there are a number of special spots that you will not find in any guide book.