NORTHERN EXPLORER PACKAGE - 8 x Nights Sodwana Bay-Aliwal Shoal-Protea Banks
12 x dives (tanks and weights). From ZAR 7 930per person- see currency converter.

This nine day shark diving package may be linked to any tours, packages and charters offered by Oceans Africa. Elements from this tour can of course be used to create your own custom tour.

This eight night dive package allows you to explore the top three dive sites in the country. The tour takes you from the... of Sodwana Bay , to the magnificent offshore reef systems of KwaZulu Natal.

Day 1 : Transfer to Sodwana Bay.

Depending on your requirements we will arrange transfers for you to Sodwana Bay from either Johannesburg, Richards Bay or Durban. Upon arrival at Sodwana Bay you'll be introduced to your hosts as you settle into your accomodation and plan your dives for the following day. Located at the centre of a vast marine reserve, Sodwana Bay lies hidden amongst the coastal dunes at the northern edge of the St Lucia Wetland Park. Widely regarded as the scuba diving capital of South Africa, the dive sites of Sodwana Bay represent the some of the most southerly hard coral reef systems in the world.

Day 2 and 3: Sodwana Bay - 2 x Dives per day.

After a comprehensive briefing on the local reefs and ecology it's time to hold on as the rigid inflatable duck takes you through the surf of one of the most exciting launch sites in the country. The dives sites (and there are many to choose from) at Sodwana are renowned for their spectacular and diverse coral communities. As well as attracting pelagic species the reefs themseves hide some real treasures that will keep any photographer diving to his last 10 bar.

Day 4 : Transfer to Umkomaas

A hearty breakfast will set you up for the day ahead as you leave Sodwana Bay and head for the town of Umkomaas and your next diving destination of Aliwal Shoal. On the way you will pass the Hulhluwe - Umfolozi Game reserves and the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. If you have a day or two to spare this would be the perfect opportunity to add some game viewing to your itinerary. See optional extras below.

Day 5 and 6: Aliwal Shoal - 2 dives per day.

The morning starts with two dives in sub-tropical waters of KwaZulu Natal. A wide variety of different dive sites are available to choose from. Aliwal Shoal lies approximately 6 km offshore and is a magnet to many pelagic species including sharks, manta rays, turtles and game fish. Sites such as Raggies Cave and Cathederals lie on the shoal itself while the wreck sites of The Produce (1974) and Nebo (1884) remain relatively well intact on the sand and offer excellent diving when the current allows.

Day 7 and 8 : Dive Aliwal Shoal - Umkomaas

On day seven and eight you'll be diving two dives a day on Protea Banks. As with Aliwal Shoal, the winter months bring large numbers of ragged-tooth sharks as well as the occasional blacktip and Zambezi encounter, you may also be lucky and find some sardine related activity. During the summer months Zambezi (bull) sharks are the highlight of most dives and sightings of tiger sharks are not infrequent. October and November sees the start of the hammerhead season and large schools can be sighted periodically until the following March. Whatever the season, Protea Banks seldom fails to impress.

Day 9: Tour end.

Transfers out are arranged according to your flight schedule. We reccomend your outward flights are arranged for the afternoon to allow approx. 24 hrs from your last dive. Additional days may easily arranged with a wide variety of activities, accomodation and transport options to suit your individual requirements.

Optional Extras : Game Reserves - from as little as ZAR 550 pp per day (inc. park fees)

KwaZulu Natal once boasted some of the most productive hunting grounds in Africa. Today vast areas still remain in their natural state and the combined reserves of Hluhluwe and Umfolozi, with their varying habitats, are amongst the finest and most rewarding. As sanctuaries for both, black and white rhino, they also complete the big five with elephant, buffalo, lion and leopard amongst almost 90 other species of mammal.

Optional Extras : Tiger shark dives in KwaZulu Natal - ZAR 900 pp per dive.

If you want to increase your chances (upto 90%, season depending) of encountering tiger sharks in the open water then try the baited dive option. Sharks are attracted to the boat by use of a baited drum. As soon as there are sufficiently interested tiger sharks around the the drum is cut loose and the divers then drift freely with current the sharks and the drum. More on baited shark dives...

Optional Extras : Cage Diving - from ZAR 1600 pp per day inc (excl. domestic flights)

Why not start (or finnish) your tour in the Cape with a dive or two with great white sharks. Cage Dives are available throughout the year from the town of Gansbaai as well as from Cape Town itself. Price includes Mid-range B&B accommodation and transfers. More about cage diving...

TOUR PRICES: - Guided transfer tours include all transfers, accommodation in selected B&B's, all entrance costs and activities as stated - see currency converter for international exchange rates.

Guided transfers- from ZAR 13 230 per person sharing
Budget B&B accom.......................................................................... ZAR 13 230 pp
Mid to upper range B&B.................................................................. ZAR 14 350 pp
Luxury accomodation...................................................................... ZAR 15 820 pp

Self-drive - from ZAR 7 930 per person sharing
(Class B vehicle with air-con, unlimited miles and super cover)
Budget B&B accom.......................................................................... ZAR 7 930 pp
Mid-Upper range B&B...................................................................... ZAR 8 820 pp
Luxury Accommodation................................................................... ZAR 10 380 pp

Ask about our guided self drive options see self-drive tour options

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