Dive Right In
It’s officially summer time and as the mercury rises, the cool waters of the ocean beckon. But this year, instead of bobbing around on the waves, why not take the plunge and head down under to explore the amazing technicolor world that exists just below the surface? Here is our pick of South Africa’s best dive spots.
Sodwana Bay, Northern KwaZulu-Natal
Thanks to the warm Mozambican current that runs down our East Coast, as well as Sodwana Bay’s northern location, dive sites here are positively tropical! Expect balmy 25 degree water in the summer months, colourful coral and dazzlingly bright fish. The summer months of December and January also come with the added bonus of increased turtle activity in the area, as Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles arrive in droves to lay their eggs on beaches throughout the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Sign up for a turtle tour to watch this amazing spectacle on land, and keep an eye out for these beautiful creatures underwater. Sodwana Bay boasts dive sites that are suitable for experienced as well as newly qualified divers.
Aliwal Shoal, Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal
The boat launch at Aliwal Shoal is notorious for being one of the most hair raising in the country, but the bumpy ride is well worth it when you finally sink below the water and discover the underwater wonderland below. Coral covered reefs, diverse marine life and the regular appearance of turtles, game fish and sharks has lead to the shoal regularly being named as one of the top ten dive sites in the world. What most people come for, however, is an up close and personal encounter with some of the ocean’s most feared predators at the very aptly named Shark Alley or Raggie Cave. Ragged Tooth sharks frequent this spot from June to November, after which the Tiger sharks and Hammerheads move in for the summer. This is shark diving without the cage, and promises an unforgettable (and adrenaline pumping) underwater experience.
Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
The waters here may be a little on the toe-curlingly chilly side, and a dry suit is definitely recommended, but what the region lacks in balmy water temperatures it definitely makes up for with a wide diversity of superb dive sites. Head to Bell Buoy Reef for colourful pinnacles and overhangs, and to Rie Banks for an abundance of game fish and sharks, as well as beautiful soft corals. There are also a number of wreck dives in the area, the most accessible of which is the Haerlem, a South African Navy frigate which was scuttled here in 1987. The ship has now formed an artificial reef and you can also often spy pyjama sharks through its portholes.
False Bay, Cape Town
Once again, the Cape Waters are not for the temperature sensitive, but thanks to the frigid Agulhas current, diving here is unlike anywhere else in the country. Wreck fundi’s are spoilt for choice (thanks to the notoriously rough seas around the Cape of Good Hope), while those who are looking for a more surreal diving experience can sign up to explore the resident kelp forests and their surrounding green tinged waters. Just off Simon’s Town, divers have the unique opportunity to meet one of the world’s closest living links to the dinosaurs, the Cow shark. Those who like their sharks more menacing can take a walk on the wild side by shark cage diving with Great Whites. Many divers may consider this “cheating”, but you will be more than happy that you opted for the cage when those pearly whites are heading your way! Just be sure to pick an operator who has a strict “no baiting” policy.
Protea Banks, Shelly Beach, KwaZulu-Natal
This reef system is home to schools of kingfish, tuna, barracuda and yellow tail, and where the big fish congregate, the predators are sure to follow. As a result, Protea Banks has earned a reputation as one of the world’s top shark diving sites, especially if giant Zambezi sharks are your predator of choice. Unfortunately, due to the site’s often testy conditions, it is not recommended for novice divers, but experienced divers will find plenty to marvel at. Things really hot up here around June and July, when the annual Sardine Run (known as one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles) makes its way up from the Eastern Cape to the warmer waters of Natal. When these little silvery fish make their much anticipated arrival, everyone comes to join the party, including dolphins, game fish, sea birds and sharks. It is an unbelievable experience best viewed 5 to 7 m under the water.
Story by Rebecca Johnson
