Scuba Diving the Durban South Coast

Dive PROTEA BANKS & ALIWAL SHOAL

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― John Lennon

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Looking to Dive Protea Banks and Aliwal Shoal?

Book a Dive Package With Oceans Africa

Oceans Africa have been conducting specialist dive tours in South Africa for over 20 years. Having worked in divemaster, and skipper roles at Protea Banks and Aliwal Shoal we know the dive sites and dive resorts intimately  – so let us create the perfect dive package for you! Oceans Africa run scuba diving tours from Durban to Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks.  Our dive tours can be customised with fully guided and self-drive tour options available.
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"My husband and I visited South Africa for the first time this June. Oceans Africa was the perfect addition to our trip. They personalized our trip just as we wanted… even better than we expected. The next time we are there, we will definitely use them again. Thanks for such a wonderful experience. Megan and Joe, Pittsburgh, PA (USA)."
Megan Kovacs
Dive Protea Banks
Bull Shark on Protea Banks

Protea Banks & Aliwal Shoal

Scuba Diving Protea Banks & Aliwal

The south coast of KwaZulu Natal is blessed with two large offshore reef systems accessible to recreational divers.

Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks (5 and 8km offshore respectively) are both kissed by the warm Agulhas current, bringing indigo-blue waters and many pelagic fish.

These reefs attract sharks of all shapes and sizes, so if you’re looking for the big stuff outside of the cage, this is where it’s at!

Protea Banks and Aliwal Shoal, both Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), are premier diving destinations celebrated for their rich marine life and biodiversity. Protea Banks, is famous for its shark sightings, including tiger, hammerhead, and bull sharks. Strong currents and depths of up to 40 meters make it ideal for advanced divers only.
 
Aliwal Shoal, closer to shore, offers a mix dive options, catering to various skill levels. Water temperatures range from 19°C in winter to 25°C in summer, ensuring a comfortable  year-round diving experience .
Dive Protea Banks & Aliwal Shoal
Exploring Aliwal Shoal

Dive Sites of Aliwal Shoal

Diving options on Aliwal Shoal

Aliwal Shoal is a large offshore reef with numerous different dive sites on the same reef system. The shallowest pinnacles rise to only 5m below the surface so there are lots of options for open water and advanced divers to enjoy. 

The shoal has some fantastic topography with many caves, gullies and pinnacles, that provide a seasonal residence for hundreds of ragged-tooth sharks. Dive anytime from June to October and expect to find yourself in the presence of several, large and fully mature specimens.

Outside of ‘raggie’ season, Aliwal Shoal offers consistently great diving with a wide variety of dive sites to suit all levels of training.

Aliwal Shoal also attracts a huge variety fish, shark and ray species. Dolphins, eagle rays and manta rays are not uncommon on Aliwal shoal and for something special, the wreck of The Produce (1974) produces the goods when the current allows.

Exclusive KZN Shark Diving Tour

Protea & Aliwal Dive Package

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Book an amazing nine day shark diving package exploring the best of the KwaZulu South Coast dive sites.  Four days diving Aliwal Shoal and 4 days at Protea Banks. Guided tour and self-drive options available.

Blacktip shark South Africa
Blacktip on Protea Banks

Diving Protea Banks

Shark Diving on Protea Banks

Protea banks must rate as among the worlds top shark diving destinations, and yet the world has only recently started to take notice.

Lying some 8km off the KZN coast the reef starts at 28m and steps down to over 45m in places. There is often strong current on Protea Banks so be prepared for a fast drift dive over the reef before ascending into mid-water for a multilevel dive.  

Diving with bull (Zambezi) sharks is what Protea Banks is famous for, while different seasons see many different species of shark visiting the reef.

Dive sites of Protea Banks

Northern and Southern Pinnacles

The dives on Protea Banks can be divided into two distinct seasons – Winter and Summer.

The dives during the summer months are typically drift dives over the Southern Pinnacles in search of bull sharks, tiger sharks and schooling hammerheads.

The winter months from April/May see the spectacular arrival of hundreds of ragged-tooth sharks to the Northern Pinnacles. The ragged-tooth sharks seek shelter in the many caves, gullies and swim-throughs where you can often find them hiding from the current.

Due to depth and strong currents, divers must hold Advanced certifications with a minimum of 20 logged dives to dive safely on Protea banks.

2nd Cave Protea Banks
2nd Cave N. Pinnacles
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Protea Banks and Aliwal Shoal do of course have their quiet days and conditions can sometimes be challenging, but this is SA shark diving at it’s best! Few other dive sites can boast regular sightings of Zambezi (bull) sharks, hammerhead, ragged-tooth, black tip and tiger sharks (among others).
Dive The Produce Aliwal Shoal
Diving The Produce

The Produce and The Nebo

World-class Wreck Diving at Aliwal Shoal

The wrecks of the Produce and Nebo near Aliwal Shoal are both world-class wreck dives and it’s well worth adding some time into your dive tour to explore these magnificent sites. 

The Produce, a Norwegian tanker, sank in 1974 and now rests at 32 meters. The wreck is renowned for its marine life and  dazzling array of fish species, including some very large Brindle Bass that seem to have taken up residence. The ship’s mid section has collapsed into a mass of twisted metal, pipes and valves, however the bow structure is still well intact and provides numerous swim-throughs and exploration opportunities. 

The Nebo, sank in 1884 and lies a little further from the Shoal at a depth of 27 meters. The Nebo is relatively well preserved considering her age, although much of the structure has collapsed the stern section and propeller are still impressive and the wreck provides shelter from the current for a huge variety of marine species.  

Both wrecks are located near the Shoal, ensuring they share in an abundance of life. The combination of historical intrigue and thriving ecosystems makes diving the Produce and Nebo an exceptional experience. These wrecks promise adventure and discovery in the warm waters of KZN and will impress even the most seasoned divers.

The Sardine Run

The Sardine Run on the South Coast

The sardine run is a natural event that was traditionally associated with the KZN South Coast. However recent runs have been unpredictable at best.

For this reason many of the South Coast dive operators now set up temporary bases further south on the Wildcoast during this time.

With their porximity to Durban International Airport, Protea Banks and Aliwal Shoal both serve as a great way to start of finish your sardine run adventure.

Whether you’re diving or simply a surface spectator, the sardine run offers unique photo opportunities and unforgettable memories – join us!

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Diving during the Sardine Run
Sardine Run Tours

KZN Dive Packages

Protea Banks & Aliwal Shoal Diving Tours:

With their close proximity to Durban Airport and many spectacular game reserves, Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks provide a perfect destination for divers who’d like to experience the wilder side of South Africa. View our tour pages below for packages that include Protea Banks and Aliwal Shoal or allow us to create a custom tour for you, with transfers and accommodation to suit your individual requirements.

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