ALIWAL SHOAL AND UMKOMAAS
Aliwal Shoal is a four-kilometre long reef that attracts many sharks and rays and that has also sunk the Nebo (70 metres long, 27metres deep,) and the Produce (100 metres long and 33 metres deep). From the end of May to November sand-tiger sharks (Carcharius taurus) inhabit the caves and gullies of the reef looking for a mate. Finding them during a morning’s diving (two dives per morning) is not difficult, and it is common to see many on a single dive.
Large round ribbontail rays and sand sharks (a.k.a giant guitarfish) are regularly visitors when the water warms up around December and are often seen parked on the sands like military aircraft. Turtles are permanent residents, and manta rays visit the shoal frequently. Humpback whales are often spotted between June and December. Aliwal has a good variety of 'Big Stuff' with eels and large groupers (potato and brindle bass) abound on specific sites.
Baited shark diving is conducted year-round. Blacktips are present in large numbers all year and Tiger sharks are best found between December and June (watch a low-res video clip here). After a thorough safety briefing, you set off for a morning searching for 3 to 4-metre long tiger sharks. Once they have been found, kit up and roll in for a shallow (approximately 8-metre) 60-minute dive. Often more than one tiger shark is present (the most I have personally seen on a dive is eight), and forty or more blacktip and occasionally dusky sharks come and join in too.
There is a variety of accommodation available in Umkomaas, from self-catering houses to quality lodges, depending on your budget. Dives take place in the morning before the wind picks up and makes the sea too rough for diving, and afternoons can be spent visiting Durban (20 minutes away by car) with it’s surfing beaches and uShaka Marine World, playing a round of golf at one of the numerous coastal golf courses, at Scottburgh beach, or soaking up the sun around the pool.
Large round ribbontail rays and sand sharks (a.k.a giant guitarfish) are regularly visitors when the water warms up around December and are often seen parked on the sands like military aircraft. Turtles are permanent residents, and manta rays visit the shoal frequently. Humpback whales are often spotted between June and December. Aliwal has a good variety of 'Big Stuff' with eels and large groupers (potato and brindle bass) abound on specific sites.
Baited shark diving is conducted year-round. Blacktips are present in large numbers all year and Tiger sharks are best found between December and June (watch a low-res video clip here). After a thorough safety briefing, you set off for a morning searching for 3 to 4-metre long tiger sharks. Once they have been found, kit up and roll in for a shallow (approximately 8-metre) 60-minute dive. Often more than one tiger shark is present (the most I have personally seen on a dive is eight), and forty or more blacktip and occasionally dusky sharks come and join in too.
There is a variety of accommodation available in Umkomaas, from self-catering houses to quality lodges, depending on your budget. Dives take place in the morning before the wind picks up and makes the sea too rough for diving, and afternoons can be spent visiting Durban (20 minutes away by car) with it’s surfing beaches and uShaka Marine World, playing a round of golf at one of the numerous coastal golf courses, at Scottburgh beach, or soaking up the sun around the pool.
ALIWAL SHOAL & UMKOMAAS DIVING ITINERARIES
8 days Aliwal Shoal at Blue Ocean
Includes 8 reef & wreck, 2 baited cageless shark dives & transfers from ZAR 14,100 per person Interactive itinerary here |
8 days Aliwal Shoal at Agulhas House includes 8 reef or wreck dives, 2 baited cageless shark dives & transfers from ZAR 14,950 per person Interactive itinerary here |
10 days Aliwal Shoal & Sodwana Bay
6 Aliwal Shoal dives, 2 baited shark dives, 3 dives in Sodwana
2-mile reef, 3 Sodwana dives far reefs and hire car.
from ZAR 17,700 per person
Interactive itinerary here
diving & safari combinations
13 days South African Sharks & Safari
12 reef & 2 baited cageless shark dives in Aliwal Shoal & Sodwana, 3 nights’ Safari, 2 daily safari drives, hire car
from ZAR 27,795 per person
Interactive itinerary here
15 days South African Sharks and Safari
14 reef dives, 4 baited cageless shark dives in Protea Banks & Aliwal Shoal, 3 nights' safari with 2 daily safari drives, hire car from ZAR 36,070 per person Interactive itinerary here |
15 days Best of KZN South African Sharks and Safari
15 reef & 4 baited cageless shark dives at Protea Banks, Aliwal Shoal & Sodwana Bay, 3 nights’ safari with 2 daily safari drives, hire car from ZAR 32,600 per person Interactive itinerary here |
