Best Scuba Diving in South Africa
South Africa is one of the world's most popular scuba diving destinations. You can explore the tropical waters of the east coast, the magnificent shipwrecks and kelp forests of the west coast, or even inland caves and quarries.
Destination Highlights
Scuba Dive Level
Open Water
Visibility
30 to 100 feet (9 to 30 meters)
Average Water Temperature
65
Shark Encounters
Wreck Diving
Diving Information
Marine Life & Environment
South Africa is blessed with a rich marine environment. The marine life includes large mammals such as whales and dolphins, as well as smaller macro-life like colorful nudibranchs, sea-horses and Christmas-tree worms. There might also rare sightings of dugong, schools of hammerheads, or dragon moray eels. Featured creatures include sharks, sardines in season, Indo-Pacific tropical reef fish and temperate critters.
Diving Conditions
- Water Temperature: Range from 27C/80F at Sodwana to 14C/57F at False Bay
- Visibility: Vary but generally beyond 20 m (66 feet)
- Weather: There are several climate zones that range from desert to subtropical.
South Africa's Best Dive Spots
Read about the most popular dive spots around South Africa, including where you can dive with the most sharks, where to dive South Africa's famed 'Sardine Run', and where to find the best coral reefs and wrecks.
Aliwal Shoal
Recognised as one of the top ten dive sites in the world, Aliwal Shoal is famed for its shark sightings, including ragged-tooth sharks, tiger sharks and hammerheads. Located about 50km south of Durban near the town of Umkomaas on KwaZulu Natals southern coastline, this ancient sandstone reef within a Marine Protected Area has dive sites to suit all levels. In addition to the thrill of diving with sharks within their natural environment, there are also a couple of fascinating wreck dives to explore.
The Sardine Run
If you are visiting South Africa in June or July then diving during the Sardine Run is a must. The annual Sardine Run is a natural phenomenon when billions of sardines spawn in the cool waters of the Agulhas Bank and move northward along the east coast of South Africa, with them making an appearance from the Eastern Cape right up to central Kwazulu Natal.
Their sheer numbers create a feeding frenzy for hungry and opportunistic predators from the depths, and even from the air above! Apart from the sardine bait balls that one can see, there is also the annual migration of the Humpback whales that are heading north to give birth. There are super pods of Common dolphin, thousands of Cape gannets, Bottle nose dolphin and thousands of sharks.
Protea Banks
Protea Banks is situated 7.5km straight out to sea from Shelly Beach, off the KZN Coast in South Africa. The reef lies at a depth of between 27 and 40 meters and is about 6km long and 800m wide. It consists of a fossilised sandbank which comes up from around 60m, and features caves, overhangs, and pinnacle features which attract game fish and sharks year-round. This is a deep dive with strong currents.
Protea Banks is one of the richest Tuna grounds in the world which explains why it is so strongly frequented by Bull Sharks. Almost all year round they patrol the reef in search of food.
Scalloped Hammerheads swim up and down the reef in schools that most times are often hundreds strong, sometimes thousands of animals just keep coming. The Great Hammerheads also make frequent appearances on Protea Banks. Oceanic Blacktip sharks are very common, often seen on entering the water or on your safety stop. The massive sand patch of Sand Shark Gulley is home to the endangered Giant Guitar Shark. Ragged Tooth Sharks can be seen in huge numbers during their breeding season, mostly in and around the caves of the northern pinnacle. Topping the shark list on Protea Banks is the magnificent Tiger Shark often shy but always a dominant presence in the water.
Port Elizabeth
If you can handle the cold (or own a dry suit), then the reefs around Port Elizabeth wont disappoint. In addition to Avalanche Reef, which is rich in colorful marine life and home to a vast array of corals, there is also a fantastic wreck dive at Haerlem Wreck. In 1987, this navy frigate sunk to 21 meters and is now home to beautiful soft corals, fish and sharks that hide in the countless nooks.
Sodwana Bay
100km from the southern border of Mozambique lies Sodwana Bay, affectionately known as Sordies. This heavily protected marine and coastal reserve is a nature lovers paradise, both above and below the water. In addition to the impressive Zambezi and tiger sharks, expect to see tiger angelfish, butterfly fish and longnose hawkfish amidst a vibrant coral reef. Whether youre a beginner looking to venture out into the open seas for the first time or an expert looking for a technical diving challenge, Sodwana Bay has dive sites to suit. In the summer months, the water is an enticing 25C and you might be lucky enough to even see turtles laying their eggs on the parks beaches.
Mossel Bay, Garden Route
South Africas Garden Route is undoubtedly one of the country's favorite getaway destinations with beautiful scenery and coastal towns to explore. But the aquatic landscape is just as fascinating, most notably at Mossel Bay. From colorful drop-offs, swathed in corals and home to impressive fish, to great white shark cage-diving, the dives here will appeal to all adventure levels. A night dive is also highly recommended with plenty of weird and wonderful creatures emerging once the sun goes down.
How To Get There
There are three major international airports in South Africa: O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) – Johannesburg, Cape Town International Airport (CPT) – Cape Town, and King Shaka International Airport (DUR) – Durban. There are also many regional airports, including Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) – Mbombela (Nelspruit).
How To Dive South Africa
There are plenty of dive resorts and dive centers available in South Africa that can meet all of your diving needs. Diving is typically done from zodiacs launched off the beach, which can be physically intense. Discuss any concerns with our team so we can make sure you know what to expect scuba diving in South Africa.
Best Time To Dive
The best weather is in April-May and September-October as the temperatures are pleasant. Worst Weather is in June-August. It is cold in the morning and at night during this period.
Topside & Non-Diving Activities
- Game viewing and safaris
- City lifestyle
- Shopping
- Fantastic beaches
- Township tours
- Adventure
- Casinos
- Cultural travel
- Sporting activities
Recommended Scuba Gear
Download our full scuba gear guide to South Africa, Bluewater Travel guests receive 10% OFF! Click the image below to download (PDF).
Practical Information
- Currency: South African Rand
- Language: There are 11 official languages: English, Afrikaans, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Siswati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga.
- Time Zone: UTC+2
- Electricity: 220/230 volts AC 50 HZ
